How to Stream from iPhone to Firestick
Did you know you don’t actually need Apple TV to mirror content from your iPhone onto the big screen? With Amazon’s affordable Firestick, you can stream pretty much anything from iOS. Today, we show you how to get it set up–it’s easy!
There’s no shortage of uses for Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire Stick devices. If you own one, you already know they can be used for streaming movies, watching live TV, catching up on sports, playing games, and binge watching things like Netflix and Hulu. With a little work you can even sideload new apps onto your Firestick, opening up an entirely new world of entertainment possibilities!
Fire TV devices also have a somewhat hidden feature that makes them even more useful. With the right setup you can actually stream content from other hardware directly to your Firestick, instantly putting PC or smartphone content on your TV. We already covered the basics of how to cast iPhone to Fire TV, and today we’re going to talk about streaming movies from iPhone to Firestick. It’s easier than you might think!
Protect your identity and privacy with a VPN
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing on the internet or what device you use, there’s always the chance someone is monitoring you. Maybe it’s a mass surveillance program, a cyber criminal stalking at a cafe, or even your ISP recording and storing data. This happens even when you’re using Fire TV, which means you should take precautions to protect yourself every time you get online.
The easiest and most effective way to stay safe is to encrypt your traffic with virtual private network software. VPNs work like a dream on Fire TV. With a good VPN, your data gets encrypted before it leaves your device, locking down private information so no one can monitor your activity or discover your location. VPNs make it easy to stay safe with just a few clicks.
Not sure how to pick a provider? Check out our top recommended VPN for Fire Stick:
NordVPN – Best VPN for Firestick and iOS Alike
NordVPN is a must-have tool for virtually any Internet-connected device, be it Firestick, iPhone, Android, Windows PC or anything else. The reason is pretty much universal; hackers, government agencies, and abusive ISPs are waiting to intercept your data to either rip you off, track your activity, or worse.
But with NordVPN’s unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption on your side, their window into your personal business is shut for good. What’s more, you can hide your IP by “spoofing” into any of over 5,800 servers in 59 countries, making you all but impossible to track. It also opens up an entire world of previously geoblocked content on Firestick and iPhone–even international Netflix libraries.
NordVPN installs easily onto any device, and its intuitive interface is simple enough to use effectively even if you’re a total VPN newbie. In addition to strong encryption, NordVPN covers your tracks online with one of the industry’s most secure no-logging policies.
Read our full NordVPN review.
- Servers optimized for unblocking Netflix
- GooglePlay users rating: 4.3/5.0
- No IP/DNS leaks found
- “Double” data protection
- Great customer service via chat.
- Some servers can be unreliable
- Apps can be a bit cumbersome to use.
What’s required to stream from PC to Fire Stick?
Amazon’s Fire TV devices make it easy to transform your TV into a capable and connected media streaming center. Streaming from your iPhone to a Fire Stick is just one of the more powerful things this simple setup is capable of doing. You’ll need to make sure you meet the minimum requirements before you can let the party begin, however.
Streaming vs Mirroring vs Casting
Mirroring is the simple process of sending the contents of one device’s screen to another, essentially creating a mirror image on a new piece of hardware. Casting is simply another word for mirroring, though it’s usually reserved for certain devices like the Chromecast or Miracast.
Streaming is slightly different from mirroring. When you cast from one device to another, you’re sending standard speed content wirelessly. Videos, on the other hand, run at dozens of frames per second and carry high fidelity audio with them. Streaming from one device to another can be a much more intensive process than simply mirroring a screen. Many users find their video playback choppy when they try casting.
The apps and methods we discuss below specifically focus on streaming. You can, however, use them for casting or mirroring, as well, since they’re all designed for high quality sharing.
Reliable home Wi-Fi network
Both your Fire TV and iPhone need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network in order to stream. These solutions won’t work remotely, so you can’t have your friend in another city send content to your home TV via the internet. Make sure the devices use the same network and you won’t have any problems at all.
iOS Versions and devices
There are a lot of iOS devices on the market, including iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches, iPad Airs, and iPad Minis. Most casting apps require iOS 9 or above to work, which won’t be a problem for the vast majority of users. If you have an older device, though, you may find it difficult or even impossible to stream from iPhone to Fire Stick.
Two apps are required
Remember that all casting solutions below require two apps: one on your iPhone or iPad, the other on your Fire TV. This is because, by default, the devices use different encoding to wirelessly transmit video. To make them work together, you’ll need to install software on both devices before you can start streaming.
How to stream from iPhone to Fire TV
Once you’ve gathered your devices, it’s time to start installing! Any of the software suggestions below make it easy to stream from iPhone to Fire Stick. Pick one that suits your needs and your budget, install it on both devices, then enjoy the show.
Video & TV Cast for Fire TV
2kit’s free-to-use app keeps streaming and casting and simple as can be. Once installed on both your iPhone and Fire TV, Video & TV Cast will allow you to stream the contents of your iOS device directly to your television, all with just a couple of quick taps. Watch videos, check out live sports, send music or photos to your TV, and so much more. The app is free to use but offers a premium edition available as a one-time in-app purchase with several useful extras.
To begin, download Video & TV Cast for iOS and get it set up on your iPhone first. Next, turn on your Fire TV and install the app from Amazon. You can use the search function on the appstore or the link above to send it directly to your Fire device. Once both apps are on and connected, all you need to do is choose the content you want to stream on your iPhone and Video & TV Cast will take care of the rest.
- More information about Video & TV Cast for Fire TV
iWebTV
iWebTV aims to be the high-end streaming and mirroring solution for all your iOS and Fire TV needs. The app delivers HD quality video streaming that includes 720p, 1080p, and even 4K movies. It supports a huge variety of video formats, not just mp4 like some casting apps, and you can even add new content to your queue without interrupting playback. Streaming is as simple as installing the app and hitting play, as well, making it a superb solution for anyone trying to get iPhone content on their TV without all the fuss.
To use iWebTV, start by downloading the app for iPhone. Make sure you’re running iOS 9 or later, which should be the case if your device is relatively new and up to date. Next, get the iWebTV app for Fire TV either by searching for it directly on the device or sending it via the link above. Once both apps are connected, open the iOS version and select the videos you want to stream.
iWebTV is free to use on both devices, but there will be a banner ad obscuring some of the content. A one-time in-app purchase can remove this, or you can upgrade to iWebTV PRO for some extra features and an ad-free streaming experience.
- Learn more about iWebTV
AllConnect for Fire TV
The simple but functional mirroring app from Tuxera does exactly what you need it to do: stream content from your iPhone to Fire TV. Use it to browse video channels like YouTube and Vimeo, then send it to your TV with a couple of quick taps. You can also stream FLAC and mp3 music files, use it to cast Plex or Kodi content, and even play files in the background while you browse for more content. No hassles and no tricks, just a lot of easy streaming from one device to another.
To use AllConnect, first download and install the app for iOS. It’s free to use but has some advertisements as well as limits on the number of devices you can connect to, both of which are removable via a single in-app purchase. Next, install the AllConnect app for Fire TV either by clicking the link or searching for it on your device’s appstore. Once the software is connected on both systems, add content on iOS and start streaming.
- More info about AllConnect
AirBeamTV Mirroring Receiver
AirBeamTV’s Mirroring Receiver app is one of the better iOS casting options on the market. It works with all iPhone and iPad devices out of the box, and it’s compatible with Mac PCs as well. Mirroring Receiver streams everything from videos to music, screenshots, photos, and more, all without the need for cables or additional hardware. You’ll need to purchase the full version of the app to use it, but apart from that there’s nothing standing between you and fully functional iPhone streaming to Fire Stick.
To get the casting app up and running, start by installing AirBeamTV Mirroring Receiver on your Fire TV. Use that link to send it to your device, or simply search for it in the appstore. Next, purchase and install Mirror for Amazon Fire TV on your iPhone or iPad. When both apps are running and connected, you can seamlessly send content from your iOS or Mac device to your Fire TV.
- More information about AirBeamTV
Reflector 2 – AirPlay Receiver
Why bother with third party solutions when you can use the iOS AirPlay feature itself? Reflector 2 takes full advantage of Apple’s technology to let you cast and stream your iPhone and iPad’s screen to any Android device, including Fire TV and Fire Stick. Using it is as simple as installing the app, turning on AirPlay, then choosing the audio, video, or visual image you want displayed on your TV. That’s it!
Reflector 2 does come with a pretty high price tag, unfortunately, but it does what it advertises and keeps video quality surprisingly high. To use it, start by downloading the app for your Fire TV. Use the previous link to send it to your device, or search manually on the device’s appstore. Install it and set the Fire TV up as a receiver. Next, grab your iOS device and open the AirPlay interface. Choose Fire TV from the list of receivers, then pick the content you want to cast and enjoy.
- More about Reflector 2
AirReceiver
This full-featured app may be the most challenging to use of all the casting solutions, but it makes up for it with a wealth of features. With AirReceiver you can stream and mirror both music and video content from your iOS devices in stunning high quality. Send YouTube content to your TV, pull media from your NAS server, run the app in the background while you edit and queue more content, and so on. The app carries a small price tag, but it’s worth it for the huge number of features you’ll have at your disposal.
To use AirReceiver, start by downloading the app from Amazon’s appstore. Run it and set your Fire TV as an active receiver. Next, get your iOS device and switch on AirPlay. Choose your Fire TV as a target, then simply pick the content you want to mirror.
Streaming using a VPN
A VPN itself can’t help you mirror or stream from iPhone to Fire Stick, but there’s absolutely no reason you can’t run one in the background. In fact, it’s a smart idea to do just that, as you never know what kind of data is leaving your device. Use our guide below to protect your personal information before streaming from device to device.
To get started, first open a web browser on your Mac or Windows PC, then sign into your VPN account. Use the links inside to send apps to Firestick and iPhone. Most VPNs will have app store links you’ll use. If they don’t, follow their instructions to add the VPN to both pieces of hardware.
Install the VPN on your devices, launch them, then sign in using your VPN credentials. Most apps will automatically connect to a fast server as soon as you launch, which is perfect for our needs.
After you’ve completed the steps above, follow the streaming instructions in the previous sections. The VPN shouldn’t interfere with your connection in the slightest, giving you a safe and secure streaming experience.
Conclusion
If you’ve got a Fire Stick, you’ll never be bored again. With all the movies, TV shows, apps, and games available by default, there’s plenty of entertainment at your disposal. Combine that with streaming and casting from your iPhone and there’s practically no reason to ever leave your home.
Got a movie or TV show in mind you’re itching to start streaming? Share your story in the comments below!