The fastest way to share your screen

To share your computer screen with Apple TV, use AirPlay on a Mac or screen mirroring on Windows. On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the list. On Windows, press Windows key + K to open Quick Settings, select Cast to a device, and pick your Apple TV. Both methods work wirelessly as long as your computer and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

The connection is when ready once you select your TV. Your entire screen appears on the television, including your cursor and any open windows. You can still use your computer normally while mirroring — the TV shows exactly what you see.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac users open Control Center, select Screen Mirroring, and choose their Apple TV from the list.
  • Windows users press Windows key + K, select Cast to a device, and pick their Apple TV.
  • Your computer and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
  • You can stop mirroring by selecting Disconnect from the same menu where you started it.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

Setting up your Mac for screen sharing

On a Mac running macOS 11 or later, screen mirroring is built in. Click the Control Center icon — it looks like a grid of dots — in the top-right corner of your menu bar. A panel slides down from the top of the screen. Look for the Screen Mirroring option, which shows a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it.

Click Screen Mirroring and a list of available devices appears. Your Apple TV will show up by name if it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Click the Apple TV name to start mirroring. A blue bar appears at the top of your screen to show that mirroring is active.

If you do not see Screen Mirroring in your Control Center, you may need to add it. Click the Control Center icon, then click the pencil or edit icon at the bottom of the panel. Find Screen Mirroring in the list and click the plus sign next to it to add it to your Control Center.

Sharing your screen from Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both support wireless screen projection to Apple TV. Press the Windows key and K at the same time to open the Quick Settings panel. You will see a Cast to a device option near the top. Click it to see a list of available devices on your network.

Your Apple TV will appear in the list if it is on and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Windows computer. Click your Apple TV name to begin mirroring. Windows will ask you to confirm that you want to project to that device. Your screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If you are using an older version of Windows or the Quick Settings method does not work, you can also right-click on your desktop, select Display settings, scroll down to Multiple displays, and look for a Connect to a wireless display option. This opens the same casting menu.

Troubleshooting when your Apple TV does not appear

The most common reason your Apple TV does not show up in the mirroring list is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check your Apple TV's network settings by going to Settings > Network on the TV itself. Write down the network name. Then check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the exact same network.

If both devices are on the same network and your Apple TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer or straightforward toggle Wi-Fi off and back on. After both devices have reconnected to the network, try the mirroring process again.

If mirroring still does not work, check that your Apple TV software is current. On the TV, go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software if an update is available. Older Apple TV models sometimes have compatibility issues with newer computers, but updating usually resolves this.

Stopping the screen share and disconnecting

To stop mirroring, use the same menu where you started it. On a Mac, click Control Center, select Screen Mirroring, and click Disconnect. On Windows, press Windows key + K, find your Apple TV in the list, and click Disconnect. Your screen will return to showing only your computer display within a second or two.

You can also stop mirroring directly from your Apple TV remote. Press the Menu button and select Stop Mirroring. This disconnects your computer from the TV when ready. Either method works equally well.

What to do if you need audio only

If you want to send sound to your Apple TV speakers without mirroring your screen, use AirPlay audio instead of screen mirroring. On a Mac, click the volume icon in the Control Center, and you will see a list of audio output devices. Select your Apple TV to send sound there while keeping your screen private. On Windows, this option is not built in, but you can use third-party apps like Airflow or AirParrot to send audio to Apple TV.

Audio-only mirroring is useful when you are playing music, watching a video, or taking a call and want better speakers without showing your screen to others in the room.

Performance tips for smooth screen sharing

Screen mirroring works best when your computer and Apple TV are close to your Wi-Fi router. If you are far from the router or the signal is weak, the picture may lag or drop. Move closer to the router or ask your network administrator to improve coverage in that area.

Close unnecessary programs on your computer before you start mirroring. Each open app uses some of your computer's processing power, and mirroring requires bandwidth. If you are mirroring a video or presentation, closing email, web browsers, and other background apps will make the picture smoother and more responsive.

If you are mirroring a video or playing a game, your computer may get warm because it is working hard to send the video stream to your TV. This is normal, but make sure your computer's vents are not blocked. If your computer gets too hot, it may slow down the mirroring to cool itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cable to connect my computer to Apple TV?

No. AirPlay and screen mirroring are wireless, so you do not need any cables. Your computer and Apple TV only need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If wireless mirroring does not work, you can use an HDMI cable as a backup, but this is rarely necessary on modern devices.

Can I mirror my screen and use my computer at the same time?

Yes. When you are mirroring, your computer screen still works normally. You can open new windows, type, click, and use your mouse while the TV shows everything you do. This is useful for presentations or when you want to show someone else what you are working on.

What if my Apple TV is an older model?

Older Apple TV models (3rd generation and earlier) do not support AirPlay screen mirroring from Windows computers. Mac users with older Apple TVs may still be able to mirror, but the feature works best on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD (2nd generation or later). Check your Apple TV model in Settings > About to see if it supports mirroring.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen when your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your computer is too far from the router. Move closer to the router, or restart both your computer and Apple TV. If disconnections keep happening, your Wi-Fi network may be overloaded. Try connecting to a less crowded Wi-Fi band or contact your internet provider about network performance.

Can I mirror just one window instead of my whole screen?

On a Mac, you cannot mirror a single window through AirPlay — the entire screen mirrors. However, you can minimize other windows or use full-screen mode in an app to show only what you want. On Windows, the built-in casting feature also mirrors the whole screen, but some third-party apps offer window-specific mirroring.