The fastest way to cast to Apple TV

Casting to Apple TV means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from another device to your TV. The method depends on what you're casting from and what app you're using. For most iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you use AirPlay, Apple's built-in wireless system. For Android phones and some other devices, you need a third-party app or a compatible streaming service that supports Chromecast or AirPlay 2.

The simplest route is usually the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list. Your entire screen appears on the TV within seconds. For casting a single app instead of your whole screen, many apps have their own AirPlay button — look for a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom, usually in the video player or menu.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones and iPads cast through Control Center's Screen Mirroring option or through individual app AirPlay buttons.
  • Macs use the Control Center or menu bar to access Screen Mirroring, found in the top-right corner of the screen.
  • Your device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Android phones cannot use AirPlay; instead, use the casting feature built into apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Home.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is enabled on both.

Casting from an iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle. Tap it and wait for the list of available devices to load. Select your Apple TV by name. Your iPhone or iPad screen will now mirror on your TV.

If you only want to cast one app instead of your whole screen, open that app and look for the AirPlay icon. In the YouTube app, it's in the video player controls. In Apple TV+, it's in the top-right corner of the screen. In Spotify, it's at the bottom of the now-playing screen. Tap the icon and select your Apple TV. The app will stream to your TV while you can still use your phone for other tasks.

If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If that does not work, restart your iPhone or iPad as well. Sometimes the list takes 30 seconds to populate, so wait before assuming the TV is not available.

Casting from a Mac

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 rectangle with sliders). Click Screen Mirroring and select your Apple TV from the dropdown. Your Mac screen will appear on your TV. To stop mirroring, click Control Center again and select Stop Mirroring.

On older Macs, use the menu bar instead. Click the AirPlay icon (a triangle in a rectangle) in the top-right corner, then select your Apple TV. If you do not see the AirPlay icon, go to System Preferences > Displays and check the box for "Show mirroring options in the menu bar." Your Mac must be running macOS 10.5 or later for AirPlay to work.

If you want to cast a single app window instead of your whole screen, some Mac apps have their own AirPlay button. Safari, Apple TV+, and some streaming services include this option in their menus or player controls. Check the app's menu bar or settings to find it.

Casting from Android phones and tablets

Android devices do not support AirPlay, so you cannot use the same method as iPhones. Instead, use the casting feature built into individual apps. Open YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, or another streaming app on your Android phone. Look for the Cast icon — usually a rectangle with a triangle in the corner — in the top-right corner or in the player controls. Tap it and select your Apple TV from the list.

If your Apple TV supports AirPlay 2, some Android apps can cast to it through that protocol. Check the app's settings or help section to see if AirPlay 2 casting is available. Not all apps support this, so you may need to use a different app or device if casting does not work.

For screen mirroring from an Android phone to Apple TV, you will need a third-party app. Apps like AirBeamTV or Mirroring360 can send your Android screen to Apple TV, but they require a paid subscription and may not work as smoothly as native AirPlay. The easiest route is usually to use an app that has built-in casting support instead.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If your device does not see your Apple TV, start by checking the Wi-Fi. Both your device and your Apple TV must be on the same network. Open Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and confirm you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network and check the Wi-Fi status.

Restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds and plug it back in. On your phone or tablet, hold the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on. Wait 30 seconds after restarting before trying to cast again — the devices need time to reconnect to the network.

If the Apple TV still does not appear, check that AirPlay is turned on. On Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is set to "On." If you are trying to cast from a Mac, make sure your Mac is running a recent version of macOS. Older versions may not support all Apple TV models.

If casting starts but then stops or freezes, move your device closer to your Apple TV or router. Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause of dropping connections. You can also try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your device and reconnecting. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and select "Forget." Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password.

What you need to cast to Apple TV

You need an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later) or Apple TV HD (4th generation or later). Older Apple TV models do not support AirPlay 2 and may have limited casting options. Check your Apple TV model by going to Settings > About on the device itself.

Your device must be running a recent operating system. iPhones and iPads need iOS 12.3 or later. Macs need macOS 10.5 or later. Android devices need the app you are casting from to support AirPlay 2 or Chromecast.

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your home has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, your device and Apple TV may connect to different bands and not see each other. Try connecting both to the 5 GHz network, or rename one of the networks so you can choose which one each device uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to 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 can connect your device to your Apple TV using an HDMI cable instead, but that only works for Macs with an HDMI port or an adapter. For phones and tablets, Wi-Fi is the only wireless option.

Why does my Apple TV not show up in the casting list?

The most common reasons are that your device and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks, AirPlay is turned off on your Apple TV, or your device is too far from the router. Check that both are on the same network, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on your Apple TV and make sure it is turned on, and move closer to your router. Restart both devices if those steps do not work.

Can I cast from my computer while someone else is using the TV?

Yes. Multiple devices can cast to the same Apple TV, but only one can be actively mirroring at a time. If someone is already mirroring their screen, your device will show the Apple TV in the casting list, but you will need to wait for them to stop mirroring before you can start. You can ask to take control, and they can stop mirroring from their device's Control Center.

Does casting use a lot of battery?

Screen mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your device is constantly sending video to the TV. Casting a single app uses less battery than mirroring your whole screen. If battery life is a concern, plug your phone or tablet into power while casting, or use a device that is already plugged in like a Mac.

Can I cast to Apple TV from a Windows computer?

Windows computers do not support AirPlay natively. You can use a third-party app like AirBeamTV or Mirroring360 to cast to Apple TV, but these require a paid subscription. Alternatively, if the app you want to use (like Netflix or YouTube) has a built-in casting feature, you can use that instead. Some Windows apps also support Chromecast, which does not work with Apple TV.