The basic way to stream to Apple TV

You can send video, audio, or your entire screen from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device to your Apple TV using AirPlay. This is Apple's built-in wireless casting system. On most devices, you swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center, tap the screen mirroring icon, and select your Apple TV from the list. Your device's screen then appears on your TV in a few seconds.

AirPlay works over your home Wi-Fi network, so your Apple device and Apple TV must be connected to the same network. The TV doesn't need to be on a specific input—AirPlay takes over automatically. If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Apple TV is powered on.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the standard way to stream from Apple devices to Apple TV and requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Screen mirroring sends everything on your device's display to the TV, while AirPlay video from apps like YouTube or Apple TV+ sends only that content.
  • Older Apple TV models (4th generation and earlier) may not support all AirPlay features and may require a different setup process.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear in Control Center, restart both devices and check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Some apps like Netflix and Disney+ have built-in casting buttons instead of requiring screen mirroring, which uses less battery and bandwidth.

Streaming video from apps versus mirroring your screen

There are two different ways to get content on your TV. Screen mirroring sends everything your device displays—your home screen, messages, web pages, anything—to the TV. AirPlay video sends only the video from a single app, leaving your device free to do other things and using less battery and Wi-Fi bandwidth.

Most streaming apps like YouTube, Apple TV+, Hulu, and HBO Max have an AirPlay button built into the video player itself—usually a rectangle with an upward arrow in the corner. Tap that button and select your Apple TV. The video plays on the TV while you can lock your phone, use other apps, or set it down. Netflix and Disney+ work the same way. This is the preferred method when it's available because it's more efficient and doesn't drain your device's battery.

Screen mirroring is useful when an app doesn't have an AirPlay button, or when you want to show someone your entire device—like sharing photos from your photo library, or walking through a website. Just remember that your device stays connected and active the whole time, so battery drains faster.

Setting up AirPlay on different Apple TV models

Apple TV models from 2015 onward (4K and HD models, also called tvOS devices) support full AirPlay and appear automatically in Control Center when they're on the same Wi-Fi network. You don't need to pair them or enter a code—they just show up.

Older Apple TV models (3rd generation and earlier, which run a different operating system) require a different process. These devices may ask you to enter a four-digit code on your iPhone or iPad to confirm the connection. The code appears on your TV screen, and you type it into your device. This is a one-time setup; after that, the TV stays in your AirPlay list. If you have an older model and don't see a code prompt, check your Apple TV's settings menu under AirPlay to make sure it's turned on.

If your Apple TV is very old or you're not sure which model you have, look at the back of the device for a model number, or go to Settings on the TV itself and look for "About" to see the generation and software version.

Troubleshooting when your Apple TV doesn't appear

The most common reason your Apple TV doesn't show up in Control Center is that it's on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone or iPad. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you're connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Apple TV. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name, try switching to the other one—sometimes devices connect to different bands.

Restart both devices: unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds and plug it back in, then restart your iPhone or iPad by powering it off and on. Wait for both to fully boot up and reconnect to Wi-Fi. Open Control Center again and look for your Apple TV.

If it still doesn't appear, check that AirPlay is enabled on your Apple TV. On newer models, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is turned on. On older models, go to Settings > AirPlay. Also make sure your Apple TV isn't in sleep mode—press the play button on the remote or move the remote to wake it up.

Using AirPlay with non-Apple devices

Android phones and tablets cannot use AirPlay to stream to Apple TV—this feature only works with Apple devices. However, you can still watch content on your Apple TV by using apps that are installed directly on the TV itself. Most streaming services have native Apple TV apps you can read from the App Store on your TV.

If someone with an Android device visits and wants to watch something, they can either use the Apple TV app if it's available for that service, or connect an HDMI cable from their device to your TV (if the device supports it). Some Android devices also support Chromecast, which works with Google TV and other compatible devices, but not with Apple TV.

Controlling playback while streaming

When you're streaming video from an app using AirPlay, you control playback from your device—pause, play, skip forward or back, and adjust volume all work from your phone or iPad. You can also use your Apple TV remote to control playback if the app supports it, though not all apps do.

If you're screen mirroring, your device is essentially remote-controlling the TV, so any tap or swipe you make on your device shows up on the TV. This can be distracting if you're trying to do something else, which is why AirPlay video is better when the app supports it.

You can stop streaming at any time by opening Control Center, tapping the screen mirroring icon, and selecting "Stop Mirroring," or by tapping the AirPlay button in the app and selecting "Stop Streaming."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream from my Mac to Apple TV?

Yes. On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner), click Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV. You can also use AirPlay video from apps like YouTube or Apple TV+ the same way you would on an iPhone. Mac screen mirroring works best on newer Macs and newer Apple TV models.

Why does my video keep stopping or buffering when I stream?

Buffering usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If other devices are using a lot of bandwidth, pause them. Also make sure your Apple TV and device are on the same Wi-Fi band (5GHz or 2.4GHz).

Can I stream to Apple TV while using my phone for other things?

Yes, but only if you're using AirPlay video from an app with a built-in AirPlay button. Screen mirroring requires your device to stay connected and active. With AirPlay video, you can lock your phone, use other apps, or set it down while the video plays on the TV.

Do I need an internet connection to use AirPlay?

You need a Wi-Fi network, but you don't necessarily need internet. If your Wi-Fi router is not connected to the internet, AirPlay will still work as long as both your device and Apple TV are connected to the same local network. However, streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube do require internet to load the content.

What if I want to stream from a Windows computer?

Windows computers don't support AirPlay natively. You can use third-party apps like AirParrot or Reflector, but these are paid software. Alternatively, most streaming services have web versions you can watch on your computer and cast using a Chromecast device, or you can connect an HDMI cable from your computer to your TV.