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

The Basic Steps to Cast to Your Apple TV

AirPlay is Apple's built-in casting system. To send video, audio, or your entire screen to an Apple TV, you need three things: your Apple device and your Apple TV on the same Wi-Fi network, AirPlay turned on in your Apple TV settings, and the Control Center or AirPlay menu open on your source device. The actual cast takes seconds once everything is connected.

Your Apple TV model matters slightly for setup, but the casting itself works the same way across all current models. If your Apple TV is older than 2015, it may not support AirPlay at all — check your model number in Settings > About on the TV itself.

The most common mistake is having your devices on different Wi-Fi networks. Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac must be on the exact same network as your Apple TV. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz band, either band works as long as both devices pick the same one.

Key Takeaways

Your Apple device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast anything.
On iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list.
On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV.
AirPlay must be enabled in your Apple TV's Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit menu, which it is by default on most models.
If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that they are truly on the same network.

Casting From iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen on iPhone X and newer, or swiping down from the top-right corner. On older iPhones with a home button, swipe up from the very bottom edge. You will see a grid of quick-access buttons.

Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it. A list of available devices appears within a second or two. Your Apple TV should show up by its name (the default is usually "Living Room" or "Bedroom" unless you renamed it). Tap your Apple TV's name.

Your screen will now mirror to the TV. The Control Center button will turn blue to show that mirroring is active. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If you want to cast just audio — music or a podcast — without mirroring your screen, use the AirPlay icon inside the app itself. Open Music, Podcasts, or any audio app, and look for the AirPlay symbol (a triangle with sound waves). Tap it and select your Apple TV. The app stays on your device; only the sound goes to the TV.

Casting From a Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar — it looks like a grid of four squares. If you do not see it, go to System Settings > Control Center and turn on Control Center in the menu bar.

In the Control Center dropdown, look for Screen Mirroring. Click it. Your available Apple TVs appear in a submenu. Click your Apple TV's name. Your Mac screen will now display on the television.

To stop mirroring, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose Disconnect. You can also press Command+Q to quit an app, which will stop mirroring that app's window.

On older Macs running macOS Monterey or earlier, use the AirPlay icon in the menu bar instead. It looks like a triangle with a rectangle. Click it and select your Apple TV from the dropdown.

What to Do If Your Apple TV Does Not Appear

The most common reason your Apple TV does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your phone or computer. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure both are connected to the same network name. If your router broadcasts separate 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks, try switching your phone or Mac to match whichever band your Apple TV is using.

Restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as well. After both devices are back online and on the same network, try Control Center again.

Check that AirPlay is actually turned on in your Apple TV. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV itself. Make sure AirPlay is set to On. If it is set to Off or to a restricted mode, your device will not see it.

If your Apple TV is very old (pre-2015), it may not support AirPlay at all. Check the model in Settings > About. If it is an Apple TV 2 or earlier, AirPlay casting is not available — you would need to upgrade to a newer model.

Casting Video Apps and Websites

Many video apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu — have their own AirPlay button built into the player. Open the app, start playing a video, and look for the AirPlay icon (the triangle with sound waves). Tap or click it and select your Apple TV. The video will now play on your television instead of your device.

This method is better than screen mirroring for video because it sends the video directly to the TV, which uses less battery on your phone and gives you better picture quality. You can also keep using your device for other things while the video plays.

For websites in Safari, screen mirroring is your only option — there is no built-in AirPlay button for web video. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV, and your entire Safari window will display on the TV.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If mirroring starts but the picture is choppy, laggy, or keeps disconnecting, move your device closer to your Apple TV and router. Wi-Fi interference from walls, microwaves, or other devices can weaken the signal. If you are far from the router, try moving closer or switching to the 5GHz band if your device supports it.

If the audio is out of sync with the video, this is usually a temporary glitch. Stop mirroring, wait a few seconds, and start again. If it keeps happening, restart both devices.

If your Apple TV is connected to your home network but your phone or Mac is on a guest network, they will not see each other. Make sure all devices are on the main network, not a separate guest or IoT network.

If you have recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Apple TV may still be trying to connect with the old password. Go to Settings > Network on your Apple TV and reconnect to Wi-Fi with the new password.

Using AirPlay With HomeKit and Multiple Rooms

If you have multiple Apple TVs set up in different rooms and they are all part of your HomeKit home, you can cast to any of them. When you open Screen Mirroring or AirPlay, you will see all of them listed by room name. Select whichever one you want.

You can also use Siri to cast without opening Control Center. Say "Hey Siri, AirPlay to the Living Room" on your iPhone or Mac, and it will start mirroring to that Apple TV. This works only if your Apple TV is set up in HomeKit with a room assigned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to an Apple TV if I do not have Wi-Fi?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you do not have Wi-Fi, you cannot use AirPlay. You would need to use an HDMI cable or a different casting method that does not require Wi-Fi.

Does casting drain my phone battery faster?

Screen mirroring uses more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending data to the TV. Casting video through an app (like Netflix) uses less battery because the TV is doing the work. If battery life matters, use the app's built-in AirPlay button instead of screen mirroring.

Why does my Apple TV keep asking for a code when I try to cast?

Your Apple TV's AirPlay security is set to require a code. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV and change the AirPlay Security setting from "Code Required" to "Anyone on the Same Network" or "Anyone." This will let you cast without entering a code each time.

Can I cast from an Android phone to an Apple TV?

No. AirPlay is Apple-only. Android phones cannot cast to Apple TV. You would need a different casting method like Chromecast or a cable connection.

What is the difference between screen mirroring and AirPlay?

Screen mirroring sends your entire device screen to the TV. AirPlay is the technology that makes it work, but AirPlay also includes casting individual apps and audio without mirroring your whole screen. When you use the Netflix AirPlay button, you are using AirPlay without screen mirroring.

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.