AirPlay lets you send video, audio, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your Apple TV

AirPlay is Apple's wireless casting system. It works by detecting your Apple TV on the same Wi-Fi network, then streaming content from your device to your television without cables or adapters. You can mirror your entire screen, send just a single app, or play music and photos while your TV shows something else.

The setup is straightforward: your device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and AirPlay is built into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS — you do not need to install anything. The actual steps depend on what you are sending and which device you are using, but the core process is the same across all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay works only when your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.
  • To mirror your entire screen, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list.
  • To send just one app or video, open the app and look for the AirPlay icon — usually three stacked lines with a triangle — then tap it and choose your TV.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu, restart both devices and check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • AirPlay works with video apps like Netflix and YouTube, music apps like Apple Music, and the Photos app, but some apps block wireless casting for licensing reasons.

How to mirror your entire iPhone or iPad screen

Screen mirroring sends everything on your device to your TV — useful for presentations, gaming, or showing photos to a group. On iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle in the corner.

Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available Apple TVs appears within a few seconds. Select the one you want to use. Your device will connect, and your screen will appear on the TV. A blue banner with the Apple TV name appears at the top of your device to confirm the connection is active. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar, then click Screen Mirroring. Select your Apple TV from the dropdown menu. Your Mac screen will appear on the TV. To disconnect, click Control Center again and select Disconnect.

How to send video or music from a single app

Many apps let you send just that app to your TV without mirroring your whole screen. Open the app — Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Apple Music, or others — and look for the AirPlay icon. It usually appears in the playback controls and looks like a triangle inside a rectangle, or sometimes three stacked lines with a triangle.

Tap the AirPlay icon. A menu shows available Apple TVs. Select the one you want. The video or music will begin playing on your TV, and your device screen will return to normal — you can use your phone for other things while content plays on the television. Tap the AirPlay icon again to switch back to your device or to stop sending content.

Not all apps support AirPlay. Some streaming services, particularly those with strict licensing agreements, do not allow wireless casting. If you do not see an AirPlay icon in an app, that app does not support it. In those cases, screen mirroring is your only option.

How to send photos and music from your Mac

On a Mac, you can send photos and music to your Apple TV using AirPlay without mirroring your entire screen. Open the Photos app or Music app. Select the photo or song you want to send. Look for the AirPlay icon — usually in the playback controls or in the app menu — and click it.

Select your Apple TV from the dropdown. The photo will display on your TV, or the song will play through your TV's speakers. You can continue using your Mac normally while content plays on the television. This is useful for playing a slideshow of photos or a playlist of music at a gathering without tying up your screen.

What to do if your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu

The most common reason your Apple TV does not show up is that your device and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network — look at the Wi-Fi name in your device's settings and compare it to the network name shown on your Apple TV's settings screen. If they do not match, connect your device to the same network as the TV.

If they are on the same network and the TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the normal shutdown and restart process. Wait for both devices to fully boot up and reconnect to Wi-Fi, then try AirPlay again.

Check that AirPlay is turned on in your Apple TV settings. On the TV, go to Settings, then AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure AirPlay is set to On. If it is set to Off or to a restricted mode, AirPlay will not work. Also verify that your Apple TV software is current — go to Settings, System, and Software Updates to check for and install any available updates.

AirPlay performance and what affects it

AirPlay works best on a strong Wi-Fi signal. If your device or Apple TV is far from your router or in a room with thick walls, the connection may lag or drop. Move closer to the router, or consider upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router if you use AirPlay frequently. A wired Ethernet connection on your Apple TV improves stability if your TV supports it.

Video mirroring uses more bandwidth than sending a single app. If you are mirroring your screen and the picture stutters or lags, try closing other apps on your device or reducing the number of devices using your Wi-Fi. Sending video from a single app like Netflix is usually smoother because it uses less data.

Some older Apple TV models — those from 2015 or earlier — support AirPlay but may not work with the newest devices or software versions. If you have an older Apple TV and AirPlay stops working after a software update, check Apple's support site to confirm compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my Apple TV is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Apple TV is on a guest network and your iPhone is on the main network, they will not see each other. Connect both to the same network, then try again.

Does AirPlay work with Android phones or non-Apple devices?

AirPlay is exclusive to Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac. Android phones and Windows PCs cannot use AirPlay. If you need to cast from an Android device, you will need an Apple TV that supports AirPlay 2, or use a different casting system like Google Cast.

Why does Netflix not show an AirPlay icon?

Netflix blocks AirPlay on some content due to licensing restrictions. You can still watch Netflix on your TV by mirroring your entire screen instead. Open Netflix, start playing a video, then use Screen Mirroring to send your device screen to the TV.

Can I use AirPlay without Wi-Fi?

No. AirPlay requires a Wi-Fi connection between your device and Apple TV. It does not work over Bluetooth or a direct connection. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Will AirPlay drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes. Sending video or mirroring your screen uses more power than normal use. If you are using AirPlay for an extended period, plug your device into power. Sending just audio or photos uses less battery than video mirroring.