How to Stream Your Mac Screen to Apple TV Using AirPlay

AirPlay lets you send your Mac's screen or audio to your Apple TV wirelessly

AirPlay is Apple's built-in wireless technology that mirrors your Mac's display to an Apple TV, or sends just audio to AirPlay-compatible speakers. You don't need cables, apps, or setup beyond what you already have — if your Mac and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can start streaming in seconds. The Mac must be running macOS 10.5 or later, and your Apple TV must be a second-generation model or newer.

The process works the same way whether you want to mirror your entire screen, extend your display to use the TV as a second monitor, or play audio only. Once connected, your Mac treats the Apple TV as another display you can control from the menu bar.

Key Takeaways

Your Mac and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will appear as an option.
You start an AirPlay connection from the Control Center on your Mac (or the menu bar on older versions), not from the Apple TV itself.
You can mirror your entire screen, use the TV as a second display, or send audio only — each option is available in the same menu.
If AirPlay does not appear, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network; if the TV is on a guest network, move it to your main network.

How to connect your Mac to Apple TV using Control Center

On a Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, open Control Center by clicking the icon in the top-right corner of your screen — it looks like a grid of dots. Look for the "Screen Mirroring" option, which shows a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it. Click it, and a list of available AirPlay receivers will appear, including your Apple TV.

Select your Apple TV from the list. Your Mac will connect in a few seconds, and your screen will appear on the TV. If you see a code on the TV, enter it on your Mac to confirm the connection — this happens only the first time you connect to that particular Apple TV.

Once connected, you can choose whether to mirror (show the same thing on both screens) or extend your display (use the TV as a separate second monitor). This option appears in the same Control Center menu after you have selected the Apple TV.

Finding AirPlay on older Mac versions

If your Mac is running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or earlier, Control Center may not be available or may look different. Instead, look for the AirPlay icon directly in the menu bar at the top of your screen — it looks like a triangle with a rectangle below it. Click it to see your available AirPlay receivers.

On even older Macs (macOS 10.5 through 10.14), the AirPlay menu may not exist at all. In that case, go to System Preferences, click Displays, and look for an "AirPlay Display" dropdown menu. Select your Apple TV from that list.

If you are unsure which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "About This Mac," and look at the line that says "System Software" or "macOS."

Troubleshooting when AirPlay does not appear

The most common reason AirPlay does not show up is that your Mac and Apple TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your Mac's Wi-Fi settings and your Apple TV's network settings — both should show the same network name. If your Apple TV is on a guest network and your Mac is on your main network, move the Apple TV to the main network.

Restart both devices if they are on the same network but AirPlay still does not appear. Turn off your Apple TV completely (unplug it for 10 seconds), then turn it back on. On your Mac, restart from the Apple menu. After both devices have restarted, try opening Control Center again.

If your Mac and Apple TV are far apart or separated by thick walls, the Wi-Fi signal may be too weak. Move them closer together or move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location. You can also check your Wi-Fi signal strength by holding Option and clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar — a stronger signal (closer to -30 dBm) works better than a weak one (closer to -80 dBm).

Mirroring versus extending your display

When you connect via AirPlay, your Mac offers two display modes. Mirroring shows exactly what is on your Mac screen on the TV — useful for presentations or watching videos. Extending treats the Apple TV as a second monitor, so you can drag windows between your Mac and the TV, keeping different apps on each screen.

To switch between these modes, open Control Center, click Screen Mirroring again, and select either "Mirror Built-in Retina Display" (or whatever your Mac's display is called) or "Extend Display." The TV will update when ready. You can also hold Option while clicking the AirPlay menu to see additional display options.

Sending audio only to AirPlay speakers

If you have AirPlay-compatible speakers instead of an Apple TV, or if you want to send audio to your Apple TV without mirroring the screen, use the volume control in your menu bar. Click the volume icon (speaker symbol) in the top-right corner, and a dropdown will show available audio outputs. Select your Apple TV or AirPlay speaker from the list.

Your Mac's audio will now play through that device, but your screen will not appear on the TV. This is useful for playing music, podcasts, or video audio through better speakers without displaying anything on the television.

Disconnecting from AirPlay

To stop streaming to your Apple TV, open Control Center and click Screen Mirroring again. Select "Turn Off AirPlay" or click your Mac's built-in display name to return the video to your Mac only. The connection will end when ready, and your screen will show only on your Mac.

If you want to disconnect audio only, click the volume icon in the menu bar and select your Mac's built-in speakers or headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my Mac and Apple TV before using AirPlay?

No pairing is required beyond being on the same Wi-Fi network. The first time you connect, your Apple TV may show a code you enter on your Mac to confirm, but this is a one-time verification, not a pairing process. After that, your Mac will remember the Apple TV and connect without asking for a code again.

Can I use AirPlay if my Mac and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Apple TV is on a guest network, move it to your main network in the Apple TV settings. Some routers allow you to connect both devices to the same network even if they broadcast different names — check your router's settings if you are unsure.

Why is my AirPlay connection slow or laggy?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move your Mac and Apple TV closer to your router, or reduce the number of other devices using Wi-Fi. If you are streaming video, AirPlay works best on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band rather than 2.4 GHz. Check your router settings to see which band your devices are using.

Can I use AirPlay while my Mac is locked?

No. Your Mac must be awake and unlocked to stream via AirPlay. If your screen goes to sleep, the AirPlay connection will pause. You can adjust your Mac's sleep settings in System Preferences under Energy Saver to keep it awake longer while you are streaming.

What if my Apple TV is an older model?

AirPlay works on Apple TV second generation and newer. If you have a first-generation Apple TV, it does not support AirPlay. Check your Apple TV model in Settings > About to confirm which version you have.

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.