The fastest way to get Apple Music on your TV screen

You can play Apple Music on your TV through an Apple TV device, a smart TV with AirPlay support, or by casting from your iPhone or Mac. The simplest method depends on what hardware you already own. If you have an Apple TV box connected to your television, you can open the Music app directly on the device and play songs, playlists, or albums the same way you would on your phone. If you don't have an Apple TV device, you can use AirPlay to send music from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to any compatible smart TV, HomePod, or other AirPlay-enabled speaker connected to your television.

All of these methods require an active Apple Music subscription. You'll also need to be signed into the same Apple ID account on both your source device (the phone or computer you're controlling from) and your TV or AirPlay receiver.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV devices have the Music app built in, so you can browse and play Apple Music directly without needing your phone.
  • AirPlay lets you send music from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your TV or any AirPlay-compatible speaker in seconds.
  • Both methods require you to be signed into the same Apple ID on your source device and your TV or receiver.
  • If your smart TV doesn't support AirPlay, you can still use AirPlay through a HomePod mini or other AirPlay speaker connected to your sound system.

Playing Apple Music directly on an Apple TV device

If you have an Apple TV box (4th generation or newer), the Music app is already installed. Open the app from the home screen, sign in with your Apple ID if prompted, and you'll see your library, playlists, and recommendations. Navigate using the remote, select a song or playlist, and press play. The music will play through your TV's speakers or through whatever audio system your Apple TV is connected to.

You can also use Siri on your Apple TV remote to play music by voice. Press and hold the Siri button, then say something like "Play my Discover Weekly playlist" or "Play Taylor Swift." Siri will search your library and Apple Music catalog and start playing when ready.

If you're not signed in, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Users and Accounts, then add your Apple ID. Make sure you're using the same account that has an active Apple Music subscription.

Using AirPlay to send music from your phone or computer

AirPlay is the fastest way to play Apple Music on your TV if you want to control playback from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Open the Music app on your device, start playing a song, then look for the AirPlay icon—it looks like a triangle with sound waves. Tap or click it, then select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV from the list.

On an iPhone or iPad, the AirPlay icon appears in the Now Playing screen at the bottom of the Music app. On a Mac, it's in the Music app's playback controls or in the Control Center. Once you select your TV, the music will play through your television's audio system, and you can continue controlling it from your phone or computer.

If your TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay list, make sure it's on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer. Restart your TV and your device if the connection doesn't work. Some older smart TVs don't support AirPlay—check your TV's manual or settings to confirm.

Setting up AirPlay on a smart TV without built-in support

If your smart TV doesn't have AirPlay built in, you can use a HomePod mini or another AirPlay-compatible speaker as a bridge. Connect the speaker to your TV through a 3.5mm audio cable or Bluetooth, then use AirPlay from your phone to send music to that speaker. The speaker will play the audio through your TV's sound system.

Alternatively, you can connect an Apple TV device to your television via HDMI. This is the most reliable way to get both video and audio from Apple Music, and it gives you access to the full Music app on your TV screen.

Troubleshooting AirPlay connection problems

If your device doesn't show up in the AirPlay menu, first check that both your phone and your TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Devices on different networks or on a guest network won't see each other. Restart your Wi-Fi router, then restart both your phone and your TV.

If the connection keeps dropping, move your phone closer to your TV or router to improve the signal. If you're using a 5GHz Wi-Fi network, try switching to 2.4GHz in your router settings—some devices connect more reliably on the older standard. If music plays but cuts out frequently, this usually means the Wi-Fi signal is weak.

On your Apple TV device, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is turned on. If you've recently changed your Apple ID password, sign out of your Apple TV and sign back in with your updated credentials.

Controlling playback while music is playing

When music is playing on your TV through AirPlay, you can control it from your phone or computer. Use the Music app's play, pause, skip, and volume controls as usual. The remote for your Apple TV device also works—you can pause, skip to the next song, or adjust volume using the physical remote.

If you're using AirPlay from your phone, you can lock your phone's screen and the music will keep playing. You don't need to keep the Music app open. If you switch to a different app or receive a call, the music will pause, and you can resume it from the Music app or the lock screen.

Using Siri to control Apple Music on your TV

If you have an Apple TV device, you can use Siri voice commands to play music without touching the remote. Press and hold the Siri button on your Apple TV remote and say commands like "Play my workout playlist," "Play the top songs from 2023," or "Play music by The Beatles." Siri will search your library first, then Apple Music if it doesn't find what you're looking for.

You can also use Siri on your iPhone to control Apple Music on your Apple TV. Say "Hey Siri, play jazz on my living room Apple TV" or "Hey Siri, pause the music on my Apple TV." This works as long as your phone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same iCloud account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV device to play Apple Music on my TV?

No. If you have an AirPlay-compatible smart TV or a HomePod speaker connected to your TV, you can use AirPlay from your iPhone or Mac to send music to your television. An Apple TV device is the most complete option, but it's not required.

Can I play Apple Music on my TV without a subscription?

No. Apple Music requires an active subscription. You can listen to music in the Apple Music app on your phone or TV only if your account is currently subscribed.

What if my TV is too old to support AirPlay?

Connect an Apple TV device to your TV via HDMI, or use a HomePod mini or other AirPlay speaker connected to your TV's audio input. Both options will let you play Apple Music on your television.

Can I play Apple Music on my TV if I'm not home?

Yes, if your Apple TV is set up with HomeKit. You can use AirPlay from your iPhone or Mac to send music to your Apple TV even when you're away from home, as long as your home hub is online.

Why does the music keep stopping when I use AirPlay?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Restart your router and your phone. If the problem continues, try connecting to a 2.4GHz network instead of 5GHz.