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 device you're casting from and what you want to send. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you use AirPlay, which is built into those devices. If you have an Android phone or a Windows computer, you'll need to use AirPlay 2 (if your Apple TV supports it) or a third-party app.

The simplest cast is usually a single video or song: you tap the AirPlay icon in the app you're using, pick your Apple TV from the list, and it plays on your TV instead of your device's speaker. Casting your entire screen — called screen mirroring — takes one extra step but works the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone, iPad, and Mac users swipe up (or down on newer Macs) to open Control Center, tap AirPlay, and select the Apple TV from the list.
  • Most apps that play video or music have an AirPlay icon built in; tapping it sends that content to your TV without mirroring your whole screen.
  • Screen mirroring works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and lets you show anything on your device's screen on the TV.
  • Android phones and Windows computers can cast to Apple TV 4K (third generation or newer) using AirPlay 2, but the process varies by device and app.
  • Your casting device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Apple TV must be turned on.

Casting from iPhone or iPad using AirPlay

Open the app you want to cast from — Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV+, Spotify, or any other video or music app. Look for the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a circle underneath it. It's usually in the top right corner of the video player or in the app's menu.

Tap the AirPlay icon. A list of available devices appears. Select your Apple TV by name. The video or music starts playing on your TV, and your iPhone or iPad screen returns to normal — you can lock it, use other apps, or put it to sleep without stopping playback.

If you don't see the AirPlay icon in an app, the app may not support casting. In that case, you can mirror your entire screen instead (see the screen mirroring section below).

Screen mirroring from iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Screen mirroring sends everything on your device's screen to your TV. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. On older iPads without Face ID, swipe up from the bottom. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of the menu bar.

Look for Screen Mirroring (on iPhone and iPad) or AirPlay Display (on Mac). Tap or click it, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your device's screen appears on your TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring or AirPlay Display, and select Stop Mirroring.

While mirroring, your device's screen stays active — you can open apps, type, swipe, and everything appears on your TV. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or using an app that doesn't have its own AirPlay button.

Casting from Android phones and Windows computers

Android and Windows devices cannot use AirPlay directly, but newer Apple TV models (4K, third generation or later, released in 2022 or after) support AirPlay 2 from these devices. Check your Apple TV's model by going to Settings > About on the TV itself.

On Android, open the app you want to cast from and look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol). Tap it and select your Apple TV. On Windows 10 or 11, open the app, look for a cast or AirPlay button, or use the built-in Cast feature by pressing Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings panel, then select your Apple TV.

Not all Android apps and Windows apps support casting to Apple TV. If the app you want doesn't have a cast button, you may need to use a third-party casting app from the Google Play Store or Microsoft Store, or consider screen mirroring through a different method.

Troubleshooting when casting doesn't work

The most common reason casting fails is that your device and Apple TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name in Settings. Restart your Wi-Fi router, your Apple TV, and your casting device if they're on the same network but still not finding each other.

If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay list, make sure it's turned on and not in sleep mode. Walk closer to the router — weak Wi-Fi signal can prevent devices from seeing each other. If you've just set up your Apple TV, wait a few minutes for it to fully boot before trying to cast.

If casting starts but stops or stutters, move your device closer to the router or Apple TV, or reduce the number of other devices using the Wi-Fi network. Older routers or routers far from your TV can cause connection drops. Restarting the Apple TV usually fixes temporary glitches.

What to do if your Apple TV model is older

Apple TV models released before 2022 (Apple TV HD and older Apple TV 4K models) do not support AirPlay 2 and cannot receive casts from Android or Windows devices. If you have an older model, you can still cast from iPhone, iPad, and Mac using AirPlay and screen mirroring.

If you need to cast from Android or Windows, you have two options: upgrade to a newer Apple TV 4K model, or use a different casting method such as HDMI cable, a Chromecast device, or a Roku device that supports casting from both Apple and Android devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast to Apple TV?

Yes. Your casting device and Apple TV must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network or a different network band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz), they won't see each other. Check your network settings and connect both devices to the same network name.

Can I use my iPhone while casting?

Yes. When you cast a video or song, your iPhone returns to normal and you can lock it, use other apps, or put it to sleep without stopping playback. When you screen mirror, your iPhone stays active and everything you do appears on the TV, so you can use it normally but the TV will show whatever you're doing.

Why doesn't my app have an AirPlay button?

Not all apps support AirPlay casting. If an app doesn't have an AirPlay icon, you can still show it on your TV by using screen mirroring instead, which sends your entire iPhone or iPad screen to the Apple TV.

Can I cast from my Windows laptop to Apple TV?

Only if your Apple TV is a 4K model from 2022 or later. Older Apple TV models do not support casting from Windows. Check your Apple TV's model in Settings > About. If it's older, you'll need to use an HDMI cable or a different device.

What happens if I lose Wi-Fi while casting?

Casting stops when ready. Your device and Apple TV lose connection to each other. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and try casting again. If the connection is unstable, move closer to your router or restart your Wi-Fi router.