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

AirPlay is Apple's wireless casting system. When you use it, content from your phone, tablet, or computer streams to your TV without a cable. You can mirror your entire screen, play a video from an app, or send just audio to speakers connected to your Apple TV. The devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Apple TV must be turned on and set up.

The steps differ slightly depending on what you're sending and which device you're sending from. All of them start the same way: look for the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a circle at the bottom) in the app or control panel you're using.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay works only when your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The AirPlay icon appears in most video apps, in Control Center on iPhones and iPads, and in the menu bar on Macs.
  • Mirroring your entire screen sends everything on your device to the TV; mirroring a single app sends only that app.
  • If AirPlay is not showing your Apple TV, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

How to AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad

Open the app with the content you want to send — a video app like Netflix or YouTube, a music app, or Photos. Look for the AirPlay icon, usually in the bottom right or top right corner of the screen. Tap it, then select your Apple TV from the list that appears. The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

If you want to mirror your entire iPhone or iPad screen instead of just one app, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Press and hold the Brightness and Volume controls together (they sit in the top left of Control Center). Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV. Your whole screen will appear on the TV.

To stop AirPlay, tap the AirPlay icon again and select iPhone or iPad to send the content back to your device. If you were mirroring your screen, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

How to AirPlay from a Mac

On a Mac, the AirPlay icon sits in the menu bar at the top right of your screen — it looks like a triangle with a circle. Click it and select your Apple TV from the dropdown menu. Your entire Mac screen will mirror to the TV.

You can also AirPlay audio only from music apps or web browsers. Open the app, look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the playback controls), click it, and select your Apple TV. The audio will play through your TV's speakers or connected speakers while your Mac screen stays dark.

To stop mirroring, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar again and select Turn Off Mirroring. To stop audio-only AirPlay, click the AirPlay icon in the app and select your Mac.

What to do if your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay list

The most common reason AirPlay doesn't work is that your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the same network as your Apple TV. You can see which network your device is on in Settings (iPhone and iPad) or System Settings (Mac).

If both devices are on the same network, restart your Apple TV. Unplug it for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try AirPlay again. If that doesn't work, restart the device you're sending from as well.

Some older Apple TV models or very old iPhones and iPads may not support AirPlay. Apple TV 3rd generation and later support AirPlay, as do iPhones and iPads from around 2012 onward. If your devices are much older, AirPlay may not be an option.

AirPlay audio to speakers or HomePods

If you have a HomePod or other speakers connected to your Apple TV, you can send audio to them without mirroring your screen. Open a music or podcast app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, tap or click the AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV or the speaker name. The audio will play through those speakers while your device screen remains private.

This is useful for playing background music during a gathering or listening to a podcast through better speakers than your device has. The video stays on your device, and only the sound goes to the TV or speakers.

Troubleshooting common AirPlay problems

If AirPlay starts but then stops or becomes choppy, move your device closer to your Apple TV. Wi-Fi range and interference from other devices can weaken the connection. If you have a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network available, connect to that instead of 2.4 GHz — it is usually faster and more stable for AirPlay.

If the video or audio is delayed or out of sync, the Wi-Fi connection is probably too slow. Try closing other apps on your device or other devices using your Wi-Fi, then start AirPlay again. If the problem persists, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

If your Apple TV keeps disconnecting from AirPlay, check that your Apple TV software is up to date. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates on your Apple TV and install any available updates. Also make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running the latest version of its operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. AirPlay sends to one device at a time. If you want to play the same content on multiple TVs, you would need to start AirPlay on each one separately, though the audio and video may not stay perfectly in sync across all of them.

Does AirPlay work over cellular or a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your sending device and your Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, AirPlay will not work unless you connect to the same network your Apple TV is on.

Will AirPlay drain my iPhone or iPad battery?

Yes, AirPlay uses Wi-Fi and your device's processor, so it drains the battery faster than normal use. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your device in to avoid running out of power.

Can I use my device while AirPlay is running?

When you are mirroring your entire screen, everything you do on your device appears on the TV, so you have limited privacy. When you are using AirPlay in a single app or for audio only, you can use other apps on your device without affecting what is playing on the TV.

What is the difference between AirPlay and screen mirroring?

Screen mirroring is one type of AirPlay — it sends your entire screen. AirPlay also includes sending video from a single app or audio only, without mirroring your whole device. Both use the same wireless technology and the same AirPlay icon.