In this guide
Yes, USB-C to HDMI works on iPhone 15 and 16 series, supporting screen mirroring up to 4K@60Hz. Older Lightning iPhones are not directly compatible and require a separate Lightning to HDMI adapter.
- You have an iPhone 15 or 16 (USB-C port)
- Your cable or adapter supports DisplayPort Alt Mode
- The TV or monitor has a standard HDMI input
- You are mirroring non-DRM-restricted content
- Your iPhone uses a Lightning port (older than iPhone 15)
- The cable does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode
- A streaming app blocks external display output via DRM
- A thick phone case is blocking the USB-C connection
Which iPhones Support USB-C to HDMI?
Only iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models carry a USB-C port. Every model before that — including the iPhone 14 lineup — uses Lightning, which requires a dedicated Lightning Digital AV Adapter instead. If your iPhone has USB-C, a DisplayPort Alt Mode cable plugs straight into the phone and straight into your TV or monitor with no extra hardware needed.
For a broader look at what the port can handle, see our guide on whether USB-C supports video output.
Setup at a Glance
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15/16 → USB-C to HDMI → TV | Yes | DisplayPort Alt Mode cable | Mirrors up to 4K@60Hz |
| iPhone 14 or older → USB-C adapter | No | Lightning to HDMI adapter | USB-C port not present |
| iPhone 15/16 + streaming app | Maybe | Same cable | DRM may block output |
| iPhone 15/16 + HDR display | Mostly | SDR mode in Settings | Fixes flickering on some displays |
How to Connect
- Plug the USB-C end into your iPhone 15 or 16.
- Plug the HDMI end into your TV or monitor.
- Mirroring starts automatically — no app or setting needed.
- If the picture flickers, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and switch to SDR mode.
Apple’s official instructions for wired display connections are covered in the iPhone User Guide on Apple Support.
Common Problems and Fixes
- No signal: Swap to a cable that explicitly lists DisplayPort Alt Mode support. Passive or charge-only USB-C cables carry no video.
- Flickering or colour issues: An HDR/Dolby Vision mismatch with the display can cause this on iOS 17. Enabling Low Power Mode or switching the display to SDR resolves it in most cases.
- App shows blank screen: DRM protection in certain streaming apps blocks external output. This is an app-level restriction, not a cable fault.
- Cable won’t seat fully: Remove your phone case and try again.
If you are still getting no picture, our USB-C to HDMI not working troubleshooting guide covers every common cause step by step.
Bottom line: A USB-C to HDMI cable works reliably on iPhone 15 and 16 as long as it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Older Lightning iPhones need a different adapter entirely, and a small number of DRM-protected apps will block output regardless of the cable you use.