Updated on November 8, 2026.
If a video stops on your TV as soon as you lock your iPhone or iPad, try a second app with the same cable and TV input. Start with the device unlocked. Then check exactly what happens on the TV when you lock it. The result can help you decide whether to check the app or the connection first.
Why locking can interrupt external video
Screen mirroring copies what’s on your iPhone or iPad. If the external display shows your controls or Lock Screen, it’s following the device screen. An app can also send the video itself to the display. Playback after locking depends on the app and how it sends the video. See our guide to mirroring an iPhone or iPad on a TV.
Some Infuse users on iOS or iPadOS 27 reported seeing a copy of the device screen where they previously saw the video fill the external display. One iPad owner said playback stopped or the Lock Screen appeared in USB-C glasses. Another saw black bars over HDMI while the Apple TV app still worked on the same setup. See the Firecore community discussion and the HDMI comparison report.
Test two apps with the same cable
- Start with the device unlocked. Connect your iPhone or iPad and select the matching HDMI input on the TV. Play a video in the app that gives you trouble. Look for a picture and note whether the TV shows the app’s controls around the video.
- Lock the device once. Press the side or top button. Check whether the video keeps playing, freezes, goes black, or gives way to the Lock Screen. Unlock the device and check whether the picture returns.
- Try another app. Keep the same adapter, cable, and TV input. Try the same clip in another video app with the device awake. A short clip you recorded in Photos can also help you check the connection. If you know another app usually plays through the same connection while locked, repeat the lock test in that app too.
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| The external display copies the iPhone or iPad’s controls or Lock Screen. | The display is copying your device’s screen. Keep the device awake while watching, or try the app’s own video output if it offers one. |
| Infuse stops or freezes when locked. Another app keeps playing over the same connection. | Check for an Infuse update. The comparison gives you a reason to check the app before replacing the adapter. |
| The TV shows no picture in either app, even with the device unlocked. | Check the TV input, adapter, and cable. Reconnect the devices and try a direct connection if you use a hub. |
| A video you recorded plays, but a particular streaming app or movie fails. | Check the app’s external playback support. If you see an HDCP alert, check that the digital connection supports HDCP. |
Check for the Infuse USB display update
Firecore’s November 6 roadmap listed the USB external display issue under Infuse 8.5.10 and marked that version as coming soon. Open Infuse’s App Store page to check for an update. When 8.5.10 or a later version is available, update and repeat the test. See Firecore’s roadmap and its published release notes.
If the picture works while the phone or tablet is awake, you can leave the app open and keep the device awake during playback. This lets you watch while you check for the update.
If you get no picture with the device unlocked
Make sure the TV is on the HDMI input you connected. Unplug and reconnect the adapter and cable. If you have a spare HDMI cable or use an extension, try connecting directly with a cable you know works. For the wired setup, see our guide to connecting an iPad to an external monitor.
If a clip you recorded plays but a movie or streaming app fails, check whether that app supports your adapter. Some protected videos require an HDCP-compatible connection. Apple covers these cases in its Digital AV adapter troubleshooting guide.
If you’re using AirPlay
Check that the iPhone or iPad and the TV or Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If the video app has an AirPlay button, try sending the video from there. Screen Mirroring in Control Center copies the device screen. Some video apps limit AirPlay, so check what the app supports. See Apple’s guide to streaming and mirroring with AirPlay.
FAQs
Why does the TV show my Lock Screen?
The TV is mirroring the device screen. When you lock the phone or tablet, the external picture follows that screen. An app with its own external video output may keep playing when the device locks.
Do black bars mean I need a new HDMI adapter?
Black bars can come from a difference in screen shape or video aspect ratio. Check whether the TV also copies the device controls. Try a second app through the same adapter before deciding what to replace.
Can I keep watching with my iPad locked?
That depends on the app and its output mode. If playback stops at lock but works with the iPad awake, keep the app open while watching. Check for an app update and test again.
What should I include in an Infuse support report?
Include your device model, iOS or iPadOS version, Infuse version, adapter and display. Say what you see when you lock the device and whether the same connection works in a second app.