AirPlay lets you send video, audio, or your entire screen from an Apple device to your TV through Apple TV
AirPlay is Apple's wireless streaming technology that sends content from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV box. You can stream a video, mirror your entire screen, or play music — all without plugging in cables. The devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and AirPlay works when ready once you start the stream.
The process changes slightly depending on what you're sending and which device you're sending from, but the core steps are the same: open the Control Center or app menu, find the AirPlay option, select your Apple TV, and start playing. Most streams begin within a second or two.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.
- Screen mirroring from an iPhone or iPad opens the Control Center and taps the Screen Mirroring button, then selects your Apple TV by name.
- Streaming video or audio from an app works differently — you tap the AirPlay icon inside the app itself, not in Control Center.
- If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay menu, restart both devices and check that they're on the same network.
- AirPlay works over Wi-Fi only; you cannot use it over Bluetooth or a wired connection.
Screen Mirroring From iPhone or iPad
Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone or tablet screen to your TV in real time. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and newer) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and older). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.
Tap Screen Mirroring and wait a moment for your Apple TV to appear in the list. Select it by name. Your screen will now appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
Common mistake: if your Apple TV doesn't show up, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.
Streaming Video or Audio From Apps
When you're playing a video in an app like YouTube, Apple TV+, or Netflix, you don't use Control Center. Instead, look for the AirPlay icon inside the app itself — it looks like a triangle with a circle at the bottom and usually appears near the volume control or in the playback menu.
Tap the AirPlay icon and select your Apple TV from the list. The video will begin playing on your TV within a second or two. The app on your phone or tablet remains open and acts as a remote — you can pause, rewind, or adjust volume from your device while the video plays on the TV.
Not all apps support AirPlay. If you don't see the AirPlay icon, the app may not have this feature built in. In that case, you can use screen mirroring instead, though it uses more battery and Wi-Fi bandwidth.
Streaming Music and Audio to Apple TV
Music apps like Apple Music, Spotify, and Podcasts have their own AirPlay buttons. Open the app, start playing a song or podcast, and look for the AirPlay icon — usually in the now-playing screen or the bottom of the player. Tap it and select your Apple TV.
Audio will stream to your TV's speakers. You can close the app or lock your phone and the music will keep playing. To switch back to your phone's speaker, open the app again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your iPhone or iPad by name.
If you want to play audio from multiple rooms, some Apple TV models support AirPlay 2, which lets you send the same song to multiple speakers at once. Check your Apple TV model in Settings to see if AirPlay 2 is available.
Streaming From a Mac
On a Mac, screen mirroring works through the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click the Control Center icon (or the AirPlay icon if it's pinned to your menu bar), then select Screen Mirroring. Choose your Apple TV from the list. Your Mac screen will appear on the TV.
To stop mirroring, click the Control Center or AirPlay icon again and select Stop Mirroring. You can also mirror just a single app window instead of your entire screen — hold Option while clicking the AirPlay icon and select Mirror Built-in Display to choose which window to send.
For video or audio apps on Mac, look for the AirPlay icon inside the app, just as you would on iPhone or iPad. The process is identical.
Troubleshooting When AirPlay Doesn't Work
If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay menu, start by checking the basics: both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and both must be powered on. Look at your Wi-Fi settings on your phone and your Apple TV settings to confirm they're connected to the same network name.
Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. While it's restarting, restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as well. Once both devices are back online, try AirPlay again. This solves most connection problems.
If AirPlay still doesn't work, 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 update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
If you're on a public Wi-Fi network or a network with a firewall, AirPlay may be blocked. Try connecting both devices to a personal Wi-Fi network instead. Some workplace or school networks disable AirPlay for security reasons.
AirPlay Settings and Restrictions
You can control who can use AirPlay on your Apple TV through the Settings app. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit, then choose Allow AirPlay From. You can set it to allow anyone on the network, only people in your Home app, or require a code before streaming begins.
If you want to prevent others from using AirPlay on your TV, select Only People Sharing This Home or turn on Require Code. A code will appear on your TV screen when someone tries to connect, and they must enter it to stream.
You can also rename your Apple TV in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Apple TV Name. This makes it easier to identify which TV you want to stream to if you have multiple Apple TVs in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AirPlay if my devices are on different Wi-Fi networks?
No. AirPlay requires all devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone is on your home network and your Apple TV is on a guest network, AirPlay won't work. Connect both to the same network and try again.
Does AirPlay work over cellular data or Bluetooth?
No. AirPlay only works over Wi-Fi. You cannot use it over cellular data, Bluetooth, or a wired connection. Both your device and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Will AirPlay drain my phone battery quickly?
Screen mirroring uses more battery than regular use because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV. Audio and video streaming from apps use less battery. If battery life is a concern, plug your phone in while streaming, or use screen mirroring for shorter periods.
What's the difference between AirPlay and screen mirroring?
Screen mirroring sends your entire screen to the TV. AirPlay is the technology that makes it work, but AirPlay also includes streaming video and audio from individual apps. When you tap the AirPlay icon inside YouTube, you're using AirPlay — not screen mirroring.
Can I use AirPlay with non-Apple devices?
AirPlay is designed for Apple devices only. You cannot use it from an Android phone, Windows PC, or other non-Apple device to stream to Apple TV. Some third-party apps claim to add AirPlay support to other devices, but they are not official Apple products.