What AirPlay Does and How to Turn It On

AirPlay lets you send video, audio, or your entire screen from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV without plugging in cables. The content appears on your TV almost when ready, and you keep control from your original device.

To use AirPlay, your Apple TV and the device you're streaming from must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your Apple TV's network settings by going to Settings > Network to confirm which network it's connected to, then make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is on that same network.

AirPlay is built into Apple TV and turned on by default, so you don't need to set up it separately. If you want to restrict who can use it, you can set a password in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay, then choose Require Password and set a four-digit code.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay works only when your Apple TV and your source device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • You can stream video from apps, mirror your entire screen, or play audio through your TV's speakers using the same AirPlay menu.
  • On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV.
  • On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the list.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay menu, restart both devices and check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

Streaming Video from iPhone or iPad Apps

Many video apps—including Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube, and others—have an AirPlay button built into the player. When you're watching something in one of these apps, look for the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with curved lines above it) in the video controls, usually in the top-right or bottom-right corner.

Tap the AirPlay icon and a list of available devices appears. Select your Apple TV by name, and the video switches to your TV within a second or two. The app continues to play on your TV, and you can use your iPhone or iPad to pause, rewind, or adjust volume without interrupting playback.

Not all apps include AirPlay support. If you don't see the AirPlay icon in an app's player, that app doesn't support direct streaming. 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 display to your TV—useful for apps that don't have built-in AirPlay, for presentations, or for showing photos and documents. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap Screen Mirroring. A list of nearby Apple TVs appears; select yours by name.

Your device's screen appears on your TV within a few seconds. Everything you do on your phone or tablet—opening apps, typing, scrolling—shows up on the TV in real time. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar, then select Screen Mirroring. Choose your Apple TV from the dropdown menu. Your Mac's entire display mirrors to the TV. To disconnect, click Control Center again and select Screen Mirroring > Turn Off Screen Mirroring.

Playing Audio Through Your Apple TV

You can send music or podcasts from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your Apple TV's speakers using AirPlay. Open the Music app, Podcasts app, or any other audio app, start playing something, then look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the bottom-left or bottom-right of the player).

Tap the AirPlay icon and select your Apple TV. The audio plays through your TV's speakers while your device's screen goes dark or shows the album artwork. You can adjust volume using your device's volume buttons or your TV remote.

To switch audio back to your device, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your device's name or speaker.

Troubleshooting When Your Apple TV Doesn't Appear

If your Apple TV doesn't show up in the AirPlay menu, the most common cause is that your devices are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your Apple TV's network in Settings > Network and confirm your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the exact same network name.

If both devices are on the same network and your Apple TV still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. After both devices restart, try AirPlay again.

If your Apple TV is on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network and your device is on 2.4 GHz (or vice versa), they may not see each other. Check your router's settings to see if you can connect both devices to the same band, or ask your router to use a unified network name for both bands.

Using AirPlay with Multiple Devices

You can have multiple people stream to the same Apple TV, but only one video stream can play at a time. If someone is already mirroring their screen or playing video, the next person who tries to AirPlay will see a prompt asking if they want to take over. The previous stream stops.

For audio, you can use AirPlay speakers to play music from different devices in sequence without interruption—one person's song finishes, the next person's begins. This works well for parties or shared listening.

If you want to prevent others from using AirPlay on your TV, set a password in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay on your Apple TV. Anyone trying to connect will need to enter the four-digit code you create.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV 4K to use AirPlay?

No. AirPlay works on all Apple TV models, including older ones like Apple TV HD and Apple TV (3rd generation). As long as your Apple TV is on the same Wi-Fi network as your device, you can use AirPlay.

Can I use AirPlay if I'm not at home?

AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network, so it works only when you're home or on the same network as your Apple TV. If you want to stream remotely, you'll need to use the Apple TV app or a specific streaming service's app instead.

Why does AirPlay keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause. Move your device closer to your router or Apple TV, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to reconnect.

Can I use AirPlay with non-Apple devices?

AirPlay is designed for Apple devices only. Android phones, Windows PCs, and other non-Apple devices cannot use AirPlay to stream to Apple TV. Those devices would need to use alternative methods like Chromecast or HDMI cables.

Does AirPlay work over cellular data?

No. AirPlay requires a Wi-Fi connection between your device and your Apple TV. It does not work over cellular networks or when your devices are on different networks.