You settle onto the sofa, connect your iPhone to the TV and hear the programme start—but the picture stays black. Before replacing the TV or buying another adapter, check how you are sending the video. An app may allow playback on the phone while restricting the route to the bigger screen.
An AirPlay-compatible TV does not guarantee that every iPhone app can stream to it. Apple explicitly warns that some video apps do not support AirPlay. For Hong Kong households using Netflix and myTV SUPER, the service’s rules are an essential first check.
AirPlay, Google Cast and HDMI: what are you actually using?
“Casting” often describes several different actions. Identify yours before troubleshooting: the iPhone’s Screen Mirroring control, a button inside a video app, a cable, or the TV’s own app.
| Route | What it does | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| AirPlay screen mirroring | Duplicates the phone screen through Control Centre. | The TV must support AirPlay, and the video app must permit this playback route. |
| AirPlay inside an app | Sends supported video through the app’s AirPlay control. | App support matters even when the TV accepts AirPlay. |
| Google Cast inside an app | Sends selected content to a compatible receiver; the phone provides playback controls. | The app, receiver and account must support that combination. |
| HDMI cable or adapter | Connects the phone physically to a TV input. | The phone needs video output, a suitable adapter and supported app playback. |
| Direct TV app | Plays through the service’s app on the TV or streaming device, using its remote. | Check the exact device, local app availability and subscription entitlement. |
On iPhone, Google Cast starts inside a supported app; it is a different route from Control Centre’s Screen Mirroring. A smart-TV operating system name alone does not establish support for a particular service.
Use the symptom to choose your next check
| Symptom | What it suggests | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Photos display, but one streaming app goes black | The connection works for photos; app restrictions or playback compatibility deserve checking. | Read that service’s rules and try its supported TV app. |
| TV missing from the device list | Discovery or compatibility needs checking. | Confirm the protocol, Wi-Fi network and app permissions. |
| Netflix reports AVF:11870;OS:61001; | Netflix says this can occur with Screen Mirroring or AirPlay enabled. | Stop mirroring and use a supported viewing route. |
| No picture through HDMI, including photos | Phone video output, adapter, cable or input selection needs checking. | Confirm specifications, select the connected HDMI input and reconnect. |
These are starting points, not a diagnosis of faulty hardware. A successful photo check cannot prove that protected streaming video will also play.
Netflix and myTV SUPER: check the service before the TV
Netflix does not support iPhone or iPad AirPlay
Netflix’s current mobile-to-TV guidance excludes AirPlay and limits mobile casting to Chromecast third generation or older without a physical remote, Google Nest Hub smart displays, and selected cast-enabled Vizio and Compal TVs. A Google TV or Google Cast logo is therefore insufficient evidence of Netflix mobile-casting compatibility.
The same guidance says casting or mirroring is available on Standard or Premium plans. Plan eligibility does not override the AirPlay restriction. For a device outside the list, check whether its own supported Netflix app is available and use the remote.
myTV SUPER restricts screen sharing and TV-browser viewing
The official myTV SUPER FAQ restricts programme playback to its supported platforms rather than AirPlay or Miracast sharing. It also says the web version is unsupported in smart-TV browsers. Check the compatible smart-TV app or service box and your plan’s entitlement; a working mobile subscription does not automatically establish TV-app access.
For other services, consult their own device and casting guidance. Support in one app cannot establish support in another.
When the app supports wireless playback, check these basics
- Confirm the receiving device. Check the exact TV or streaming-device model for the protocol you are using. Enable AirPlay reception on the TV if its instructions require it.
- Check the Wi-Fi network. Follow Apple and Google’s standard setup: put the phone and receiving device on the same Wi-Fi network. Check their network names rather than assuming proximity is enough.
- Allow Google Cast discovery. On iPhone, open Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Local Network. Enable access for the app you intend to cast from.
- Update and restart. Update the phone, TV or receiver software and relevant app, then restart the devices. Retry using the supported in-app button or mirroring method.
- Compare ordinary content. Try a personal photo through AirPlay. If it appears but the programme does not, return to the app’s restrictions before changing hardware.
HDMI can help, but USB-C does not guarantee video output
A connector that fits can still be unsuitable. Check the phone’s exact technical specifications for wired video output and the adapter’s video support. Apple’s current USB-C guidance specifically excludes iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e from USB-C external-display support. For an Android phone, check its manufacturer’s model specifications too.
For Netflix on a Lightning iPhone, its guidance identifies Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter models A1438 and A1621 as supported. For a video-capable USB-C iPhone, Netflix recommends Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter; this is not a guarantee for every adapter or app.
Apple also explains that some streaming content requires HDCP, the protection used by compatible digital connections. If an app fails or shows an HDCP warning, follow the app and adapter guidance. A cable does not remove content restrictions.
- Select the TV input matching the HDMI socket you used.
- Disconnect and reconnect the adapter and HDMI cable; check a known working cable or another HDMI input where accessible.
- Remove unnecessary extension cables or video-format converters when following Apple’s adapter troubleshooting.
For the wider setup, see Elechid’s Hong Kong TV connection guide.
Choose around the apps your household actually watches
Before choosing a TV or streaming device, list your regular services and check their official device lists, Hong Kong app availability and account requirements. Use AirPlay for supported sharing, Google Cast where the service supports the receiver, and a verified cable setup where appropriate. For regular viewing, consider the service’s supported TV app first.
Elechid’s Android TV, webOS and Tizen comparison helps explain platform differences. If the picture works but audio later disappears, use our TV no-sound troubleshooting guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I mirror photos but get a black screen in Netflix?
Photos and Netflix have different playback permissions. Netflix does not support AirPlay; a successful photo connection does not change that restriction.
Can every Google TV receive Netflix casting from an iPhone?
No. Check Netflix’s current receiver list and your plan. A device may support its own Netflix app without supporting Netflix mobile casting.
Will any USB-C-to-HDMI cable fix the problem?
No. The phone must support wired video output, and the cable or adapter and app must support the intended playback.
Can I watch myTV SUPER through the TV’s browser instead?
Its FAQ says smart-TV browsers do not support the web version. Check its supported TV app or service box and the relevant subscription.
