AirPlay sends video, audio, or your entire screen from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV

To start an AirPlay stream, open the Control Center on your source device, tap the screen mirroring or AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV from the list. The content appears on your TV within seconds. AirPlay works over Wi-Fi, so both devices must be on the same network — they do not need to be plugged into each other or connected by cable.

The exact steps and icon names differ slightly between devices and iOS versions, but the principle is the same: find the AirPlay menu, pick your TV, and the stream begins. You can mirror your entire screen, stream a single app, or send just audio to AirPlay speakers.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay requires your Apple device and Apple TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Control Center and tap the screen mirroring icon to see available Apple TVs.
  • On Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar or use System Preferences to mirror your display.
  • You can stream video apps, mirror your entire screen, or send audio to AirPlay-compatible speakers without mirroring.
  • 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.

How to AirPlay from iPhone or iPad

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen to open Control Center. Look for an icon labeled "Screen Mirroring" or "AirPlay" — the exact name depends on your iOS version. Tap it to see a list of available Apple TVs and AirPlay-compatible devices on your network.

Select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone or iPad screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds. The Control Center icon will change color or show a checkmark to confirm the connection is active. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap the same icon, and select "Stop Mirroring."

If you want to stream a single app instead of your entire screen — for example, to watch a video in the YouTube app while using your phone for other tasks — open the app and look for an AirPlay icon within the app itself. Not all apps support this feature, but most video and music apps do.

How to AirPlay from a Mac

On a Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. It looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. A dropdown menu will show available Apple TVs. Click the one you want to connect to.

Your Mac screen will mirror to the Apple TV. To adjust display settings — such as using the TV as an extended display instead of a mirror — click the AirPlay icon again and select "Use as Separate Display" or a similar option. The exact wording varies by macOS version.

To disconnect, click the AirPlay icon and select "Turn Off AirPlay" or click your Apple TV name again to deselect it.

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

The most common reason an Apple TV does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your source device. Check that both devices are connected to the same network — look in your device's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches.

Restart both your Apple TV and your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Unplug the Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then try opening the AirPlay menu again. If the TV still does not appear, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.

Make sure your Apple TV software is up to date. On the Apple TV, go to Settings, then System, then Software Updates, and check for any available updates. Older software versions sometimes have compatibility issues with newer devices.

AirPlay audio without screen mirroring

You can send audio to AirPlay speakers or Apple TV without mirroring your screen. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad and look for the audio or music controls — usually a speaker icon. Tap it to see available AirPlay devices, then select your Apple TV or an AirPlay speaker.

This is useful when you want to play music or a podcast through your TV speakers while keeping your phone screen private or using your phone for other tasks. The audio will play through the TV, but your phone screen will not appear on the TV.

AirPlay quality and performance tips

AirPlay works best when your devices are close to your Wi-Fi router and there are few other devices using the network. If you experience lag, stuttering, or dropped connections, move closer to the router or reduce the number of devices connected to Wi-Fi.

Screen mirroring uses more bandwidth than audio-only streaming, so if you are mirroring video and it is choppy, try closing other apps on your source device or temporarily disconnecting other devices from the network.

If you are streaming video from an app like Netflix or YouTube, the app itself handles the streaming — your phone does not need to stay awake or stay on the same screen. You can lock your phone or switch to another app and the video will continue playing on your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay?

Yes. Both your Apple device and your Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks, your Apple TV will not appear in the AirPlay menu. Check your device settings to confirm you are on the correct network.

Can I AirPlay from an older iPhone or iPad?

AirPlay works on most iPhones and iPads from the last several years, but very old devices may not support it. If your device is running iOS 11 or later, it should support AirPlay. Check your device settings under General to see what iOS version you have.

What if the video is lagging or freezing?

Move your device closer to your Wi-Fi router and close other apps running in the background. If multiple devices are using your network, disconnect some of them temporarily. Restart your Apple TV and your source device if the problem persists.

Can I AirPlay to multiple Apple TVs at the same time?

No. You can only mirror to one Apple TV at a time from a single device. If you want to send audio to multiple AirPlay speakers, some apps support this, but screen mirroring is limited to one destination.

Does AirPlay work with non-Apple devices?

AirPlay is designed for Apple devices, but some third-party speakers and devices support AirPlay audio. Screen mirroring to non-Apple TVs is not supported through standard AirPlay — you would need to use a different method like Chromecast or HDMI.