This guide will show you how to use AirPlay on your Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, to stream audio and video wirelessly. AirPlay allows you to mirror your Apple device’s screen to an Apple TV or other compatible TV and play audio through AirPlay-compatible speakers like the HomePod.
How to wirelessly stream content using AirPlay
Follow these steps to effectively utilize AirPlay for mirroring your screen or streaming audio and video content.
Method 1: Using AirPlay on iPhone and iPad
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as the AirPlay item.
- Turn on the AirPlay item you want to use, such as an Apple TV or compatible speakers.
- Open the video or song you want to share. If the app has a built-in AirPlay button (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom), tap it and select your AirPlay device. If you’re just mirroring your screen, you can skip this step.
- Open the Control Center:
- If iPhone X or later, or iPad with iPadOS 12 or later: Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the home screen.
- If iPhone 8 or earlier, or iPad with iPadOS 11 or earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen.
- To share video or mirror your screen, tap Screen Mirroring (two overlapping rectangles) and then select your desired AirPlay item from the list.
- To stream audio, tap the Audio tile in the top-right corner of the Control Center, then tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with three curved lines), and select your speaker or speakers.
Method 2: Mirroring from Mac
- Connect your Mac and the AirPlay device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn on the AirPlay item you want to use, ensuring it’s close to your Mac.
- Enable the screen-mirroring icon in your Mac’s menu bar:
- If the icon (two overlapping rectangles) is visible: Proceed to the next step.
- If the icon is not visible: Click the Apple menu, select System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions), click Control Center, and next to Screen Mirroring, select Always Show in Menu Bar. In some older macOS versions, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays and select Show mirroring options in the menu bar.
- Open the video or song you want to use with AirPlay, or skip if you just want to mirror your screen. Some Mac apps, like Apple Music, have a built-in AirPlay button (triangle icon with three curved lines) for direct streaming.
- Click the mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles) in the menu bar, and then select the desired AirPlay-enabled item from the list to start mirroring. The icon will turn blue. To stop mirroring, click the Screen Mirroring icon again and then click the icon for your selected AirPlay device.
- To play audio through AirPlay speakers, click the Apple icon, select System Settings (or System Preferences), click Sound, and then select your AirPlay speaker under “Output.”
Method 3: Mirroring to Mac
- Open System Settings by clicking the Apple Menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select General from the left-hand menu bar.
- Click AirDrop & Handoff in the main General window.
- Toggle on AirPlay Receiver. The toggle will turn blue when enabled. You can also specify which users can connect or require a password.
Method 4: Using AirPlay with Apple TV
- Open your Apple TV’s Settings app (a grey box with gears).
- Select AirPlay and Homekit from the Settings page.
- Select AirPlay at the top of the AirPlay and Homekit menu to toggle AirPlay on or off. You can also select Allow Access to set permissions for who can stream to your Apple TV and require a password.
What to do next?
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of AirPlay, consider exploring advanced features. For instance, some AirPlay-compatible devices allow for multi-room audio, letting you play music across several speakers simultaneously for a truly immersive experience.
You might also want to delve into specific app settings, as many media applications integrate AirPlay directly, providing more control over your streaming experience. Experiment with different content types, from photos to presentations, to fully leverage AirPlay’s versatility in your home or office setup.
