How to Use AirPlay to Send Video, Audio, and Photos to Your Apple TV

What AirPlay Does and How to Turn It On

AirPlay is a wireless feature that lets you send video, audio, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV without plugging in cables. When you use AirPlay, whatever you're watching or listening to on your device appears on your TV screen instead.

To use AirPlay, both your Apple TV and the device you're sending from must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, you can turn on AirPlay from the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, or from the menu on your Mac. Your Apple TV will appear in a list of available devices, and you tap or click it to start streaming.

AirPlay works with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and earlier models. If your Apple TV is more than a few years old, check that it has the latest software version by going to Settings > System > Software Updates on the TV itself.

Key Takeaways

Both your Apple TV and your device must be on the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will show the TV as an option.
On iPhone and iPad, open Control Center and tap the AirPlay icon to see available devices and select your Apple TV.
On Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, or use the AirPlay menu within an app like Apple TV or Music.
AirPlay works for video, music, podcasts, photos, and screen mirroring, but the steps differ slightly depending on what you're sending.
If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay list, restart both devices and check that they are truly on the same network.

Using AirPlay on iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, the fastest way to use AirPlay is through Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring or AirPlay icon—it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it to see a list of available devices.

Your Apple TV will appear in that list with its name. Tap the TV's name to connect. Once connected, your iPhone or iPad screen will mirror onto the TV, and anything you do on your device will show on the big screen. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap the same icon, and select Stop Mirroring.

If you are using an app like Apple TV, Music, or Photos, you may also see an AirPlay icon inside the app itself—usually a rectangle with a triangle, or sometimes labeled as a speaker icon. Tap that icon to send just the video or audio from that app to your TV, rather than mirroring your entire screen. This is useful if you want to keep using your phone for other things while the show plays on the TV.

Using AirPlay on Mac

On a Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. It looks like a rectangle with a triangle. A dropdown menu will show all available devices. Click your Apple TV's name to start mirroring your Mac screen to the TV.

If you do not see an AirPlay icon in the menu bar, go to System Settings > Displays and look for an AirPlay option there. Some older Macs may require you to use the Apple TV app or another app's built-in AirPlay menu instead.

Many Mac apps—including Apple TV, Music, Safari, and Photos—have their own AirPlay buttons. Look for the rectangle-with-triangle icon inside the app. Clicking it lets you send just that app's content to your TV without mirroring your entire screen, which is handy if you want to keep working on other things while a video plays.

Sending Video and TV Shows

To watch a video from the Apple TV app, open the app and start playing a show or movie. Look for the AirPlay icon—usually in the bottom-right corner of the video player—and tap or click it. Select your Apple TV from the list. The video will now play on your TV, and you can control playback from your device or from the Apple TV remote.

If you are watching video from another app like YouTube, Netflix, or a web browser, the steps are the same: look for the AirPlay or cast icon within the app or video player, select your Apple TV, and the video moves to the big screen. Not every app supports AirPlay, so if you do not see the icon, screen mirroring is your backup option—just open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring.

Sending Music and Podcasts

Open the Music or Podcasts app and start playing a song or episode. Look for the AirPlay icon—it often looks like a speaker with a triangle—and tap it. Your Apple TV will appear in the list. Select it, and the audio will play through your TV's speakers instead of your device's speaker.

While music is playing on your TV, you can lock your iPhone or iPad, put it in your pocket, or use it for other things. The music keeps playing. To switch back to playing audio on your device, open the Music or Podcasts app again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your device's name.

Sending Photos and Slideshows

Open the Photos app and select a photo or album. Tap the Share button (usually a square with an arrow), then look for AirPlay or a TV icon in the share menu. Select your Apple TV. The photo will display on your TV screen.

To create a slideshow, open the Photos app, select an album, and look for a Slideshow option in the menu. Start the slideshow, then use the AirPlay icon to send it to your TV. The slideshow will play on the big screen while you control the pace from your device.

Troubleshooting When AirPlay Does Not Work

If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay list, the most common reason is that your device and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your Apple TV. You can find the Apple TV's network name in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV itself.

If both devices are on the same network and AirPlay still does not show up, restart both your device and your Apple TV. Unplug the Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try opening Control Center or the AirPlay menu again.

If the connection keeps dropping or the video stutters, move your device closer to the Apple TV or your Wi-Fi router. Thick walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. If you have a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network available, connecting both devices to that band may improve performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work. If your Apple TV is on a guest network or a different band, move it to the same network as your phone first. Check the Apple TV's network name in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit.

Does AirPlay work over cellular data or a hotspot?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same local Wi-Fi network. It does not work over cellular data or when one device is using a phone hotspot. Both must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router.

Can I use AirPlay to send audio to my Apple TV while someone else watches a different show?

No. AirPlay sends content to the TV itself, so whatever you send will display or play on the screen and speakers. You cannot split the TV's output between two different sources at the same time.

What is the difference between screen mirroring and AirPlay?

Screen mirroring sends everything on your device's screen to the TV. AirPlay, when used within an app, sends only that app's content. Using AirPlay within the Music app, for example, sends only the song to your TV, not your home screen or other open apps. Both use the same technology, but AirPlay within an app gives you more control.

Does AirPlay drain my iPhone or iPad battery faster?

Yes, AirPlay uses Wi-Fi and your device's processor continuously, so battery drains faster than normal. If you are sending audio or video for a long time, plug your device into power to avoid running out of battery.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.