What AirPlay Does and How to Turn It On

AirPlay lets you send video, audio, or your entire screen from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV without plugging in cables. The content appears on your TV almost when ready, and you keep control from your original device.

Before you start, make sure your Apple TV and the device you're streaming from are on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay won't work if one device is on your home network and the other is on a guest network, or if they're on different networks entirely. Check your Wi-Fi settings on both devices to confirm they match.

Your Apple TV should be running tvOS 12.4 or later. If you're not sure which version you have, go to Settings > About on your Apple TV and look for the software version number. Most Apple TVs update automatically when plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, but you can also check for updates manually in Settings > System > Software Updates.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay works only when your Apple TV and your iPhone, iPad, or Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list.
  • On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV.
  • You can stream video from apps like YouTube or Apple TV+, mirror your entire screen, or send audio to your Apple TV speakers without mirroring video.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay menu, restart both devices and check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

Streaming from iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). You'll see a grid of quick-access buttons. Look for Screen Mirroring — it shows two overlapping rectangles. Tap it.

A list of available Apple TVs will appear. Select the one you want to stream to. If you see a password field, your Apple TV has AirPlay security turned on. Enter the four-digit code shown on your TV screen, then tap Done. Your iPhone or iPad screen will now appear on your TV.

Once mirroring is active, anything you do on your device shows on the TV — opening apps, scrolling, typing, everything. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Streaming from a Mac

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen — it looks like a grid of four squares. A dropdown menu will open. Select Screen Mirroring from the list.

Your available Apple TVs will appear in a submenu. Click the one you want to use. If your Apple TV requires a password, a code will appear on your TV screen; enter it on your Mac when prompted. Your Mac screen will now mirror to the TV.

To stop mirroring, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose Stop Mirroring. You can also press the Escape key as a shortcut.

Streaming Video from Apps Without Mirroring Your Whole Screen

Many apps — including YouTube, Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and others — have their own AirPlay button built in. This lets you send just the video to your Apple TV without mirroring your entire screen, so you can use your phone for other things while the video plays on the TV.

Open the app and start playing a video. Look for the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a curved line below it. It's usually in the video player controls or in the app's menu. Tap or click it, then select your Apple TV from the list. The video will switch to your TV, and you can control playback from your device.

This method uses less battery and network bandwidth than full screen mirroring, and it's the fastest way to get video on your TV if the app supports it.

Sending Audio Only to Your Apple TV

You can send audio to your Apple TV speakers without mirroring video. This is useful for playing music or podcasts through your TV's sound system while keeping your device's screen private.

On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and tap and hold the volume control or music player card. Tap AirPlay Audio (or the AirPlay icon), then select your Apple TV. Audio will now play through your TV speakers, and your device screen stays dark.

On Mac, click Control Center in the menu bar, then look for the volume or audio output option. Click it and select your Apple TV from the list. You can also go to System Settings > Sound and choose your Apple TV as the output device.

Troubleshooting When Your Apple TV Doesn't Appear

If your Apple TV isn't showing up in the AirPlay menu, the most common cause is that the devices are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your iPhone, iPad, or Mac Wi-Fi settings and confirm they match your Apple TV's network. If you're on a guest network, switch to your main home network.

Restart both devices: unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, restart normally through the power menu. Wait for both devices to fully boot up and reconnect to Wi-Fi, then try AirPlay again.

If your Apple TV is very far from your Wi-Fi router, move it closer temporarily to test the connection. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can weaken the signal. If AirPlay works when the TV is closer, your Wi-Fi range may be the issue — consider moving your router or adding a Wi-Fi extender.

Make sure your Apple TV's AirPlay setting is turned on. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on your Apple TV and confirm that AirPlay is set to On. If it's set to Off or restricted, you won't see the TV in the AirPlay menu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is forgetting to check the Wi-Fi network. If your device is on "Home-5GHz" and your Apple TV is on "Home-2.4GHz," they won't see each other even though they're both your home network. Most modern routers broadcast both bands under the same name, but your device might have automatically chosen one. Manually select the same network on both devices.

Don't assume your Apple TV is updated. An older tvOS version can cause AirPlay to fail or behave unpredictably. Check for updates before troubleshooting anything else.

If you're trying to mirror from an older iPhone or iPad (more than five years old), it may not support AirPlay at all. AirPlay requires iOS 4.3 or later on iPhone and iPad, and macOS 10.5 or later on Mac. If your device is too old, you won't see the AirPlay option in Control Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I AirPlay to my Apple TV from an Android phone?

No. AirPlay is an Apple-only feature and works only with iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices. Android phones cannot use AirPlay. However, many Android apps have their own casting features (like Google Cast) that work with compatible devices, but not with Apple TV.

Does AirPlay work over the internet, or only on my home Wi-Fi?

AirPlay works on your home Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you can use AirPlay only if your Apple TV and your device are on the same Wi-Fi network wherever you are. You cannot AirPlay over the internet from a different location.

Will AirPlay drain my iPhone or iPad battery?

Screen mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your device is constantly sending video to the TV. Streaming video from an app (without mirroring) uses less battery. Audio-only streaming uses very little battery. If battery life is a concern, use app-based 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're already streaming, they'll see a message saying the TV is in use. The current user must stop mirroring before someone else can start.

Why does my video keep pausing or buffering during AirPlay?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move your device closer to the router, or reduce the number of other devices using Wi-Fi. If you're mirroring your entire screen, try using the app's built-in AirPlay button instead — it's more efficient and less likely to buffer.