How to Stream From Your iPhone, Mac, or iPad to Apple TV Using AirPlay

AirPlay lets you send video, audio, or your entire screen from an Apple device to your Apple TV in seconds

AirPlay is Apple's wireless streaming technology that sends content from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to your Apple TV without cables. You swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad, tap the AirPlay icon, choose your Apple TV from the list, and the content appears on your television. On a Mac, you click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and pick your TV. The whole process takes about five seconds once your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

AirPlay works with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and earlier models back to the second generation. Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac must be running a current version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS—older software versions may not connect reliably. The devices do not need to be on the same Wi-Fi network in all cases, but they must be able to see each other, which usually means the same home network.

Key Takeaways

Your Apple device and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will show your TV as an option.
On iPhone and iPad, open Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV; on Mac, use the Control Center menu in the top-right corner.
You can stream video apps, music, podcasts, or mirror your entire screen—each option uses the same AirPlay menu.
If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay list, restart both devices and check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
AirPlay works over Wi-Fi only; you cannot use it over cellular data or Bluetooth.

Check Your Wi-Fi Connection and Apple TV Setup

Before you can use AirPlay, both your Apple device and your Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap Wi-Fi to see which network you are connected to. On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Then check your Apple TV: go to Settings, select Network, and confirm it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network name.

If your Apple TV is not yet set up, connect it to power and your television, then follow the on-screen prompts to join your Wi-Fi network. You will need your Wi-Fi password. Once your Apple TV shows a home screen, it is ready to receive AirPlay streams. If you have multiple Apple TVs on the same network, each one will appear separately in your AirPlay menu, so you can choose which one to use.

Stream From iPhone or iPad Using Control Center

On an iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. You will see a grid of icons including brightness, volume, and Bluetooth. Look for the AirPlay icon—it looks like a triangle with a circle underneath, similar to a broadcast symbol. Tap it once.

A menu will pop up showing all available Apple TVs on your network. Tap the name of the Apple TV you want to use. A checkmark will appear next to it, and within a second or two, whatever is on your screen will begin playing on your television. If you are streaming video from an app like Netflix or Apple TV+, the video will play on the TV while your phone screen returns to normal. If you are mirroring your entire screen, everything you do on your phone will appear on the TV in real time.

To stop AirPlay, open Control Center again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select iPhone or iPad to send the stream back to your device. You can also just close the app or lock your phone—AirPlay will continue playing on the TV, but you will not see it on your device anymore.

Stream From a Mac Using Control Center or Menu Bar

On a Mac running macOS 11 or later, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar—it looks like a grid of dots. A panel will slide out showing your system controls. Look for Screen Mirroring and click it.

A submenu will show all available Apple TVs. Click the one you want to use. Your Mac screen will when ready appear on your television. Everything you do on your Mac—opening files, typing, moving the cursor—will show on the TV in real time. This is useful for presentations, showing photos to a group, or playing games on a larger screen.

To stop mirroring, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose Disconnect. Your Mac screen will no longer appear on the TV, but any app that was running will keep playing on the TV if it supports AirPlay (like music or video apps).

Stream Video, Music, and Podcasts From Apps

Many apps built into Apple devices support AirPlay without needing to mirror your entire screen. Open the app—such as Apple TV, Music, Podcasts, or a third-party service like Netflix or YouTube—and look for the AirPlay icon within the app itself. It is usually in the playback controls or settings menu, often in the bottom-right or top-right corner.

Tap or click the AirPlay icon inside the app, select your Apple TV, and the content will stream to your television while your device screen goes dark or returns to the home screen. This uses less battery and Wi-Fi bandwidth than mirroring your entire screen. You can still use your phone or Mac for other tasks while the content plays on the TV.

Not every app supports AirPlay—check the app's help section or settings if you do not see an AirPlay icon. Some streaming services require a paid subscription to use AirPlay, so confirm your account is active if the option is grayed out.

Troubleshoot When Your Apple TV Does Not Appear

If your Apple TV is not showing up in the AirPlay menu, the most common cause is that your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone or Mac Wi-Fi settings again and compare the network name to what your Apple TV shows in Settings > Network. If they do not match, reconnect your Apple device to the same network as the TV.

If the network names match, restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up—you will see the Apple logo, then the home screen. At the same time, restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the normal shutdown and restart process. Once both devices are back on, try opening Control Center and looking for AirPlay again.

If your Apple TV still does not appear, check that your Wi-Fi router is working and that both devices can reach the internet. You can also try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on your Apple device—go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find the network name, tap the info icon, and select Forget. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password. This clears out any connection problems that may have built up.

Use AirPlay to Mirror Your Entire Screen

Screen mirroring sends everything on your device to the TV in real time. This is different from streaming a single app—your entire screen, including notifications, icons, and any open windows, will appear on the television. It is useful for presentations, showing photos or documents to a group, or playing games that do not have their own AirPlay support.

On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center, tap AirPlay, and select your Apple TV. A blue banner will appear at the top of your screen saying "Mirroring to [TV name]." On Mac, use Control Center > Screen Mirroring and select your TV. Your Mac menu bar will show a blue icon indicating you are mirroring.

Keep in mind that screen mirroring uses more Wi-Fi bandwidth and battery power than streaming a single app. If you notice lag or stuttering, move closer to your Wi-Fi router or reduce the number of other devices using the network. You can also lower your device brightness to save battery while mirroring.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your Apple device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, move both devices to the same network. Some routers allow you to connect multiple devices to the same network even if they have different names, so check your router settings if you are unsure.

Does AirPlay work over cellular data or Bluetooth?

No. AirPlay requires Wi-Fi. It will not work if your phone is on cellular data, and it does not use Bluetooth. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on and both devices are connected to the same network before you try to use AirPlay.

Can I use AirPlay with an older Apple TV model?

Yes, AirPlay works with Apple TV 2nd generation and newer. If you have an original Apple TV from 2007, it does not support AirPlay. For any Apple TV model from 2010 onward, AirPlay should work as long as your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running a current version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.

What happens to my phone battery when I use AirPlay?

Streaming a single app (like a video or music) uses less battery than mirroring your entire screen. If you are mirroring and notice your battery draining quickly, lower your screen brightness, reduce the number of background apps, or switch to app-specific streaming instead of full-screen mirroring.

Can multiple people AirPlay to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can stream to an Apple TV at a time. If someone else tries to AirPlay while you are already streaming, they will see a message saying the TV is in use. You must stop your stream before another device can take over.

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.