AirPlay lets you send video, audio, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple device directly to your Apple TV screen

AirPlay is a wireless connection method built into Apple devices. When you use it, content from your phone, tablet, or computer appears on your TV without plugging in any cables. You control what plays from your device, and the Apple TV receives and displays it. The connection happens over your home Wi-Fi network, so both devices need to be on the same network and relatively close to your router.

AirPlay works with most Apple TV models made in 2011 or later, though newer models (Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD) have the most reliable performance. You do not need to read an app or pay for a subscription — AirPlay is built into your device's operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your Apple TV and your source device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will appear as an option.
  • On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list.
  • On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • AirPlay can stream video, mirror your entire screen, or send just audio to AirPlay-compatible speakers connected to your Apple TV.

Check your Wi-Fi connection on both devices

AirPlay only works when your Apple TV and your source device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and confirm you are connected to your home Wi-Fi. Then check your Apple TV: go to Settings, select Network, and verify it shows the same Wi-Fi network name.

If your devices are on different networks — for example, if your phone is on a guest network — AirPlay will not appear as an option. Switch your phone to the main network and wait a few seconds for the connection to stabilize.

Stream from iPhone or iPad using Control Center

On iPhone or iPad, the fastest way to start AirPlay is through Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on older models without Face ID). Look for a rectangle with three curved lines — this is the Screen Mirroring button.

Tap Screen Mirroring and wait a moment for the list to load. Your Apple TV should appear by its name (for example, "Living Room Apple TV"). Tap it to connect. Your device screen will now mirror on your TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Some apps — like YouTube, Netflix, and Apple TV+ — have their own AirPlay button built in. Look for a rectangle with an upward-pointing triangle, usually in the video player controls. Tapping this button sends only that video to your TV, not your entire screen, which uses less battery and lets you use your phone for other things while the show plays.

Stream from Mac using the menu bar

On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner of your screen). Select Screen Mirroring from the dropdown menu. Your Apple TV should appear in the list — click it to connect.

Your Mac screen will now display on your TV. To adjust resolution or disconnect, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select the option you need. Some Mac apps also have their own AirPlay button in the video player, which works the same way as on iPhone and iPad.

Send audio only to AirPlay speakers

If you have AirPlay-compatible speakers connected to your Apple TV or elsewhere on your network, you can send audio without mirroring your screen. On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and look for the audio player card at the top. Tap the AirPlay icon (the triangle with curved lines) and select your speaker or Apple TV from the list.

On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar, then click the AirPlay icon next to the volume slider. Select your speaker or Apple TV. Music, podcasts, and other audio will now play through that device instead of your Mac's speakers.

Troubleshoot when your Apple TV does not appear

If your Apple TV is not showing up in the AirPlay list, start by restarting 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. This fixes most connection problems.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your router is working properly. If you have a dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try connecting both devices to the same band — some older Apple TV models work better on 2.4 GHz. Move your device closer to the router if you are far away, as weak signal can prevent AirPlay from appearing.

If your Apple TV is very old (2011 or 2012 model), it may have AirPlay limitations. Check the Apple TV model and its software version in Settings to confirm it supports the feature you are trying to use. Updating to the latest tvOS version can also resolve compatibility issues.

Common mistakes that interrupt AirPlay

Locking your iPhone or iPad while mirroring does not stop the stream — your screen will still show on the TV. However, if your device goes to sleep, the connection may drop. Adjust your device's auto-lock setting to prevent this, or keep your device unlocked while streaming.

Switching Wi-Fi networks or moving too far from your router will disconnect AirPlay. Stay on the same network and keep your device within reasonable range. If you have a large home, consider moving closer to your router or upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system for better coverage.

Some apps do not allow screen mirroring for copyright reasons — Netflix and Disney+ are common examples. These apps will show a black screen if you try to mirror them. Use the app's built-in AirPlay button instead, which sends only the video to your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my Apple TV is connected by ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes. Your Apple TV can be on ethernet while your source device uses Wi-Fi, as long as both are on the same home network. The connection will work normally.

Does AirPlay work with non-Apple devices like Android phones?

No. AirPlay is exclusive to Apple devices. Android phones and tablets cannot use AirPlay to stream to Apple TV. Some Android devices support Chromecast or other casting methods, but those do not work with Apple TV.

Will AirPlay drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your phone is constantly sending data to your TV. Using an app's built-in AirPlay button (like in YouTube or Apple TV+) uses less battery than full screen mirroring because only the video is being sent.

Can multiple people AirPlay to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can mirror or stream to an Apple TV at a time. The next person who tries to connect will be asked if they want to take over, which stops the current stream.

What should I do if AirPlay keeps disconnecting?

Move your device closer to your router and away from other electronics that might cause interference. Restart both your Apple TV and your source device. If the problem continues, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Updating your Apple TV to the latest tvOS version can also help.