How To Connect An iPad To A Smartboard [Updated]

By displaying the iPad on the projector, you’ve got an easy way to broadcast your screen–or a student’s screen–to the entire class.

How To Connect An iPad To A Smartboard (2025)

This guide covers wireless (AirPlay) and wired (HDMI) connections. Wireless is fastest for teaching; wired is most reliable when Wi-Fi is unstable.

Wireless (Recommended)

AirPlay / Casting

What you need

  • iPad (iPadOS 15+)
  • Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled Smartboard/panel or mirroring app (Reflector / Ditto / AirServer)
  • iPad + display on the same Wi-Fi

Steps

  1. Join the same Wi-Fi network on both devices.
  2. On iPad: open Control Center → Screen Mirroring.
  3. Select the classroom display.
  4. Enter the on-screen code if prompted.
  5. Toggle Mirroring if only a second screen appears.
Tip: For smoother performance, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or switch to HDMI if the network is congested.
Wired (HDMI)

USB-C or Lightning → HDMI

What you need

  • USB-C→HDMI or Lightning→HDMI adapter (Apple/MFi)
  • HDMI cable
  • (Optional) power pass-through

Steps

  1. Adapter → iPad.
  2. HDMI → adapter → Smartboard/projector.
  3. Select the correct HDMI input.
  4. Connect power if supported.
Note: Video/audio only — touch on the Smartboard will not control the iPad.
Troubleshooting
  • No image: Reseat HDMI; check the input source.
  • Device not found (AirPlay): Same SSID required; restart Apple TV/panel.
  • No sound: Set audio output in Control Center.
  • Lag: Switch to 5 GHz or wired HDMI.
See also:
Official Apple Documentation

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204289

Apple Support: “Use AirPlay to stream or share from your Apple devices.” (Verified Oct 2025)