AirPlay sends video and audio from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your TV wirelessly

AirPlay is Apple's wireless streaming technology that lets you send what's on your screen to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV. You don't need cables, apps, or complicated setup—if your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can start streaming in seconds. The picture and sound appear on your TV while you keep using your phone or tablet normally.

The basic process is the same across all Apple devices: open Control Center (or the AirPlay menu in an app), tap the AirPlay icon, choose your TV, and you're connected. Some apps let you stream video directly without mirroring your whole screen, which uses less battery and lets you keep your phone private while content plays on the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple device and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will appear as an option.
  • Screen mirroring shows everything on your phone or tablet on the TV; app-based streaming (like Netflix or YouTube) sends only that video to the TV.
  • AirPlay works with Apple TV models from 2nd generation onward, and with many Samsung, LG, and Sony smart TVs made after 2018.
  • If AirPlay doesn't appear, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is on and both are on the same network.

Check that your TV supports AirPlay

Apple TV devices (2nd generation and newer) have built-in AirPlay support. If you have an older Apple TV or a different brand of smart TV, check the TV's settings or manual to confirm AirPlay is available. Many newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs include AirPlay, but not all models do.

You can also look up your TV model on Apple's official list of AirPlay-compatible devices. If your TV doesn't support AirPlay, you can still use an Apple TV box connected to your TV via HDMI to add AirPlay capability.

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network

AirPlay only works when your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and TV are all on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your TV's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to your home network. On your Apple device, go to Settings > Wi-Fi (or System Settings > Wi-Fi on a Mac) and confirm you're on the same network name.

If your home has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, both devices should work on either band. However, if they're on different networks entirely (for example, one on your main network and one on a guest network), AirPlay won't find the TV.

Stream from an iPhone or iPad using Control Center

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button (it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Tap it, and a list of available AirPlay devices appears. Select your TV from the list.

Your iPhone or iPad screen now appears on the TV. Everything you do on your device—opening apps, typing, swiping—shows on the TV in real time. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If you don't see the Screen Mirroring button in Control Center, you may need to customize it. Go to Settings > Control Center and tap the plus icon next to Screen Mirroring to add it.

Stream from a Mac using the menu bar

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner of the screen). Look for Screen Mirroring and click it. A dropdown menu shows available AirPlay devices. Select your TV.

Your Mac screen now displays on the TV. You can continue working on your Mac, and the TV shows everything you do. To disconnect, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose Stop Mirroring.

On older Mac models without Control Center, use the AirPlay icon in the menu bar directly. It looks like a rectangle with a triangle and appears in the top-right corner when AirPlay devices are nearby.

Stream video from apps without mirroring your whole screen

Many apps—Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, and others—have their own AirPlay button built in. Look for an AirPlay icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle) in the video player. Tap it and select your TV. Only the video plays on the TV; your phone stays private and you can use other apps while the video plays.

This method uses less battery than screen mirroring and gives you more control. You can pause, rewind, or change the volume using your phone, and the TV displays only the video, not your notifications or other apps.

Troubleshoot when AirPlay doesn't appear

If you don't see your TV in the AirPlay list, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On your phone or Mac, restart it as well. After both devices restart, check Wi-Fi again to make sure they're on the same network.

If the TV still doesn't appear, forget the Wi-Fi network on your Apple device and reconnect. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi on iPhone or iPad, tap the network name, and select Forget. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password. On Mac, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details next to your network, and select Forget Network.

If your TV is far from your Wi-Fi router, move it closer temporarily to test the connection. Walls and distance can weaken the signal. Also check that your TV's AirPlay setting is turned on in its own menu—some TVs require you to enable AirPlay in settings before it appears to other devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my TV is not an Apple TV?

Yes, if your TV is a newer Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, or other brand that supports AirPlay. Check your TV's manual or settings to confirm. If your TV doesn't support AirPlay, you can connect an Apple TV box to your TV via HDMI to add AirPlay support.

Does AirPlay work over cellular or away from home?

No, AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. It doesn't work over cellular data or when you're away from home on a different network. You must be on the same home Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to function.

Will AirPlay drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Screen mirroring uses more battery than app-based streaming because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV. If battery is a concern, use app-based AirPlay (like Netflix's built-in AirPlay button) instead, or plug your phone into a charger while mirroring.

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

No, only one device can stream to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV at a time. If another device tries to connect, it will interrupt the current stream. The next person must wait for the first stream to stop before they can connect.

Why is my AirPlay connection dropping or freezing?

A weak Wi-Fi signal is usually the cause. Move your device or TV closer to the router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Restart both devices and your router. If the problem continues, your Wi-Fi network may be overloaded or unstable.