Yes, you can use AirPlay on a Fire Stick, but only on newer models

Fire Stick devices made in 2022 or later support AirPlay, which lets you send audio and video from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your TV through the Fire Stick. Older Fire Stick models do not have this built in. If you own a Fire Stick 4K Max, Fire Stick 4K (third generation or newer), or Fire TV Cube from 2022 onward, AirPlay is already available—you just need to turn it on.

The feature works the same way it does on an Apple TV: you swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your Fire Stick from the list. On a Mac, you use the Control Center or the menu bar. Your Fire Stick and Apple device must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay on Fire Stick works only on 2022 models and newer, including Fire Stick 4K Max, Fire Stick 4K (third gen), and Fire TV Cube.
  • You turn on AirPlay in the Fire Stick settings under Display and Sounds, then toggle the AirPlay option to On.
  • Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire Stick to see it in the AirPlay menu.
  • AirPlay on Fire Stick supports mirroring your entire screen or casting just audio and video from specific apps.

How to turn on AirPlay in Fire Stick settings

AirPlay is disabled by default on Fire Stick models that support it. You need to enable it manually through the settings menu. On your Fire Stick remote, press the Home button, then navigate to Settings. Scroll down and select Display and Sounds.

Inside Display and Sounds, look for the AirPlay option. Select it and toggle the setting to On. Your Fire Stick will now appear in the AirPlay menu on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac on the same network. The setting stays on until you turn it off again, so you only have to do this once.

Which Fire Stick models support AirPlay

Amazon added AirPlay support to its Fire Stick lineup starting in 2022. The models that have it are the Fire Stick 4K Max (2023 and later), Fire Stick 4K (third generation, released in 2022), and Fire TV Cube (third generation, released in 2022). If you own an older Fire Stick, Fire Stick Lite, or Fire Stick HD from before 2022, AirPlay is not available on your device.

You can check which generation you own by going to Settings, then About, and looking at the device model number. If you are unsure whether your model supports AirPlay, the easiest way to find out is to enable it in settings and see if it appears—if the option is not there, your device does not have it.

How to cast from an iPhone or iPad to Fire Stick

On your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (older models). Tap the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a circle underneath. A list of available devices appears. Select your Fire Stick by name.

Once you select the Fire Stick, your screen begins mirroring to the TV. You can also cast audio only by opening an app like Apple Music, tapping the AirPlay icon within the app, and selecting your Fire Stick. The audio plays through your TV speakers while your phone screen stays dark. To stop casting, open Control Center again, tap AirPlay, and select your iPhone or iPad.

How to cast from a Mac to Fire Stick

On a Mac running macOS 12.3 or later, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner of the screen). Look for the AirPlay icon and click it. Your Fire Stick appears in the dropdown menu. Click your Fire Stick to begin mirroring your Mac screen to the TV.

You can also cast audio from specific apps on your Mac. Open an app like Apple Music or a web browser, look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the app's menu or control panel), and select your Fire Stick. To stop mirroring, return to Control Center, click AirPlay, and select your Mac.

Troubleshooting when your Fire Stick does not appear in AirPlay

If your Fire Stick does not show up in the AirPlay menu on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the most common cause is that the devices are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that your Apple device and Fire Stick are both connected to the same network. You can verify this by going to Settings on your Fire Stick and checking the network name under Network.

If both devices are on the same network and the Fire Stick still does not appear, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Also restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. After both devices restart, try opening Control Center again and looking for the Fire Stick. If AirPlay is still not working, make sure you have turned it on in the Fire Stick settings—go back to Display and Sounds and confirm the toggle is set to On.

What you can and cannot do with AirPlay on Fire Stick

AirPlay on Fire Stick lets you mirror your entire screen, cast video from apps like YouTube or Safari, and stream audio from music apps. You can also use it to show photos, documents, or presentations on your TV. The feature works smoothly for most everyday tasks like browsing the web or watching videos.

One limitation is that AirPlay on Fire Stick does not support casting from Android phones or tablets—only Apple devices. Also, some apps may not allow casting due to copyright restrictions; for example, you cannot cast certain streaming services that have copy protection enabled. If an app does not show an AirPlay option, the app itself may not support it, even if your Fire Stick does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AirPlay work on Fire Stick Lite or older Fire Stick models?

No. AirPlay is only available on Fire Stick 4K Max, Fire Stick 4K (third generation and newer), and Fire TV Cube (third generation and newer), all released in 2022 or later. Fire Stick Lite and older Fire Stick models do not have AirPlay support.

Can I use AirPlay on Fire Stick with an Android phone?

No. AirPlay is an Apple feature and works only with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. If you have an Android phone, you can use Chromecast or other casting methods instead, but not AirPlay.

Do I need to pay for AirPlay on Fire Stick?

No. AirPlay is built into supported Fire Stick models at no extra cost. Once you turn it on in settings, you can use it as much as you want.

What should I do if AirPlay keeps disconnecting?

If your connection drops frequently, move your Fire Stick and Wi-Fi router closer together, or remove obstacles between them. Also check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong by looking at the network strength in Fire Stick settings. If the signal is weak, move the router or use a Wi-Fi extender.

Can I use AirPlay and Alexa voice control at the same time?

Yes. You can cast to your Fire Stick using AirPlay and still use the Alexa remote to control the Fire Stick or ask Alexa questions. Both features work independently.