How to Cast Apple Music to Google TV

The Direct Answer: AirPlay and Screen Mirroring Are Your Main Routes

You can cast Apple Music to Google TV in two ways: use AirPlay if your Google TV device supports it, or use screen mirroring from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. AirPlay is faster and gives you remote control from your Apple device. Screen mirroring works on any Google TV but mirrors your entire screen, which drains your phone battery and ties up your device while music plays.

Google TV does not have a native Apple Music app, so you cannot open Apple Music directly on the TV itself. You must start the music on an Apple device and send it to the TV from there. The method you choose depends on what Apple device you own and whether your specific Google TV model supports AirPlay.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay works on Google TV models made in 2022 or later that run Google TV 12 or higher, and it is the fastest way to cast Apple Music.
Screen mirroring works on any Google TV but uses more battery and keeps your phone screen active the whole time you listen.
You need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Google TV for either method to work.
AirPlay casting from Apple Music gives you full playback control from your phone without mirroring your screen.

Check If Your Google TV Supports AirPlay

Not all Google TV devices support AirPlay. Google added AirPlay support to Google TV starting in 2022, but only certain models received the update. To check if your device has it, go to Settings on your Google TV, then select System > About. Look for the Android TV OS version number. If it shows version 12 or higher, your device likely supports AirPlay.

You can also check the manufacturer's website for your specific TV model. Search for your TV brand and model number plus "AirPlay support" to confirm. Common brands that added AirPlay include Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Philips, but not all models from these brands have it. If your Google TV is older than 2022 or does not show Android TV OS 12 or higher, you will need to use screen mirroring instead.

Casting Apple Music via AirPlay (Fastest Method)

Open Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and start playing a song. Look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle with sound waves coming from it. On iPhone and iPad, this icon appears in the Now Playing screen at the bottom of the music player. On Mac, it appears in the top-right corner of the Music app or in the Control Center.

Tap or click the AirPlay icon. A list of available devices will appear. Select your Google TV by its name — it will show up as a device option just like an Apple TV or HomePod would. Once you select it, the music will start playing on your TV speakers, and you can control playback from your Apple device. The song title, artist, and album art will display on your TV screen.

To stop casting, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to send the audio back to that device. You can also pause the music from your Apple device or from the Google TV remote if it has playback controls.

Casting Apple Music via Screen Mirroring (Works on Any Google TV)

If your Google TV does not support AirPlay, screen mirroring is your alternative. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of devices will appear — select your Google TV by name. Your entire iPhone or iPad screen will now display on the TV, including the Apple Music app.

On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, then select Screen Mirroring. Choose your Google TV from the list. Your Mac screen will mirror to the TV. Open Apple Music and play your music as normal. The music will play through your TV speakers while your screen is mirrored.

Screen mirroring drains your phone or tablet battery faster than AirPlay because it is constantly sending video data to the TV. Your device screen stays active and locked to the mirroring view, so you cannot use it for other tasks while music plays. If you need to check a text message or switch apps, the mirroring will pause or disconnect. For longer listening sessions, keep your device plugged in.

Make Sure You Are on the Same Wi-Fi Network

Both AirPlay and screen mirroring require your Apple device and Google TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to your home Wi-Fi. On your Google TV, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and confirm it is connected to the same network name.

If your home has a 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network with the same name, your devices may connect to different bands. This can cause casting to fail. Try connecting both devices to the same band — usually 2.4GHz is more reliable for casting, though 5GHz is faster. If casting still does not work, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart.

Troubleshooting Common Casting Problems

The AirPlay icon does not appear in Apple Music. Make sure your Apple device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Google TV. Restart the Music app by closing it completely and opening it again. If you are using an older version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, update to the latest version — Apple Music casting works best on current software versions.

Your Google TV does not appear in the AirPlay or screen mirroring list. Restart both devices. Turn off your Google TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your Apple device. If the TV still does not appear, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Google TV has AirPlay enabled in its settings. Go to Settings > System > About and confirm your Android TV OS version is 12 or higher for AirPlay.

Music starts playing but cuts out or sounds choppy. Move your Apple device closer to the Wi-Fi router or Google TV. Interference from other devices or distance from the router can weaken the connection. If many devices are using your Wi-Fi, pause other downloads or streaming to free up bandwidth. Restart the Music app and try casting again.

Screen mirroring connects but Apple Music will not open. Close Apple Music completely and reopen it after mirroring is active. Sometimes the app needs to reload after the mirror connection is established. If this keeps happening, try restarting your Apple device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Home to play Apple Music on Google TV?

No. Google Home speakers and displays do not work with Apple Music for voice commands or casting. You must use an Apple device to cast to Google TV. However, if you have a Google Home speaker in the same room, you can play Apple Music through it separately using AirPlay from your Apple device, but this is a different setup than casting to your TV.

Will casting Apple Music drain my phone battery quickly?

AirPlay uses less battery than screen mirroring because it only sends audio, not video. Your phone screen can turn off while AirPlay plays. Screen mirroring keeps your screen active and uses significantly more power. For long listening sessions with screen mirroring, plug your device in or expect to lose 20 to 30 percent battery per hour.

What if I want to use Apple Music on Google TV without casting?

Google TV does not have an official Apple Music app. Your only options are AirPlay or screen mirroring from an Apple device. You could also use a web browser on Google TV to visit music.apple.com, but this is slower and less reliable than casting from the Apple Music app.

Can I cast from multiple Apple devices to the same Google TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to Google TV at a time. If a second device tries to cast while another is already casting, it will interrupt the first connection. The second device will take over and start playing its content instead.

Does AirPlay work if my Google TV is connected to a different Wi-Fi band than my phone?

It may work, but it is unreliable. If your router broadcasts both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands with the same network name, try connecting both devices to the same band. Most casting problems happen when devices are on different bands. Check your Wi-Fi settings and manually select the same band for both devices.

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.