What AirPlay Does and How to Set It Up

AirPlay lets you send audio, video, or your entire screen from one Apple device to another without a cable. You can play music from your iPhone on your Mac, stream a video from your iPad to your Apple TV, or mirror your Mac screen to an Apple TV so everyone in the room can see it. The setup takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

AirPlay works over your home WiFi network, so both devices must be connected to the same WiFi. They also need to be signed into the same iCloud account, or at minimum on the same network with AirPlay enabled. Older Apple devices support AirPlay too — the feature has been around since 2010 — but the exact steps depend on which devices you own.

Key Takeaways

  • Both devices must be on the same WiFi network and signed into the same iCloud account for AirPlay to appear as an option.
  • On iPhones and iPads, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap the AirPlay icon to see available devices.
  • On a Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, or go to System Settings > Displays to change where your screen appears.
  • Apple TV, HomePod, and Mac computers can all receive AirPlay streams, but older devices may not support all types of content.
  • If a device does not show up, restart both devices, check that WiFi is on, and make sure both are signed into iCloud with the same account.

Connecting From an iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). Look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle with a circle underneath. Tap it to see a list of devices on your network that can receive AirPlay.

Select the device you want to send to. If you are sending audio only — like playing Spotify on a HomePod — the device name will appear with a checkmark once connected. If you are mirroring your screen to an Apple TV, your entire iPhone or iPad display will appear on the TV within a second or two. To stop AirPlay, open Control Center again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your device name.

Connecting From a Mac

On a Mac, the AirPlay icon sits in the menu bar at the very top of the screen, usually on the right side next to the WiFi and battery icons. Click it to see available devices. Select the one you want to send to, and your Mac screen will mirror to that device immediately.

If you do not see the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click Displays, and look for an AirPlay Display option. You can also use this menu to choose whether to mirror your entire screen or extend it — extending means your Mac treats the AirPlay device as a second monitor, so you can drag windows between them.

What Devices Can Receive AirPlay

Apple TV (any model from 2nd generation onward) is the most common receiver. HomePod and HomePod mini speakers can receive audio only, not video or screen mirroring. Any Mac running macOS 10.5 or newer can receive AirPlay audio and screen mirroring. Some third-party speakers and TVs with AirPlay built in also work, though this varies by manufacturer.

Older iPhones and iPads can receive AirPlay audio but not video or screen mirroring — usually devices from iPhone 6s and iPad Air 2 onward support full AirPlay features. Check your device's specs if you are unsure whether it supports the type of AirPlay you want to use.

Troubleshooting When AirPlay Does Not Appear

If you open Control Center or the AirPlay menu and no devices show up, first check that both your sending device and receiving device are on the same WiFi network. Look at the WiFi icon on both — they should show the same network name. If one is on a different network, disconnect and reconnect to the correct one.

Next, make sure both devices are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] and check the account. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Sign In. If the accounts do not match, sign out of one device and sign in with the correct account. After you make any of these changes, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then restart both devices by turning them off and back on.

If devices still do not appear, check that AirPlay is actually turned on. On Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is set to On. On a Mac receiving AirPlay, go to System Settings > General > AirPlay Receiver and toggle it on. HomePod speakers have AirPlay on by default and cannot be turned off.

Audio-Only vs. Screen Mirroring

AirPlay can do two different things, and it is worth knowing the difference. Audio-only AirPlay sends just sound — this is what happens when you play music from your iPhone on a HomePod or Bluetooth speaker. You can still use your phone for other things while audio plays elsewhere.

Screen mirroring sends your entire display to another device in real time. Everything you do on your phone or Mac appears on the TV or external monitor. This uses more WiFi bandwidth and battery, so it is best for presentations, watching videos together, or showing someone something on your screen. You cannot use your device for other things while mirroring without those actions also appearing on the other screen.

Why AirPlay Disconnects and How to Prevent It

AirPlay drops when your device moves too far from the WiFi router, when the WiFi signal weakens, or when your device goes to sleep. If you are mirroring your screen and the connection cuts out, move closer to the router and try again. If it keeps dropping, your WiFi may be overloaded — try moving the router to a more central location or restarting it.

To keep AirPlay connected longer, make sure your sending device does not lock or go to sleep. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to Never while you are using AirPlay. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and turn off automatic lock. Once you are done with AirPlay, change these settings back so your device locks normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay without an Apple TV?

Yes. You can send audio to any HomePod or compatible third-party speaker. You can mirror your screen to another Mac, or to an iPad if it is running iPadOS 15 or newer. Apple TV is the easiest option for screen mirroring to a television, but it is not required if you have another compatible device.

Does AirPlay work on non-Apple devices?

AirPlay only works between Apple devices or devices that have AirPlay built in by the manufacturer. Some smart TVs and speakers from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others support AirPlay, but you have to check the product specs. Android phones and Windows computers cannot use AirPlay.

Why does my device show up in AirPlay but then disconnect immediately?

This usually means the receiving device ran out of memory or is too far from the WiFi router. Try restarting the receiving device first. If that does not work, move your sending device closer to the router and try again. If the problem persists, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Can I send AirPlay from multiple devices at the same time?

Most receiving devices can handle only one AirPlay stream at a time. If a second device tries to connect, it will interrupt the first one. HomePod speakers are an exception — multiple iPhones can send audio to the same HomePod, and it will play them together.

Does AirPlay use a lot of data?

AirPlay uses WiFi, not cellular data, so it does not count against your phone plan. However, it does use your home WiFi bandwidth. Screen mirroring uses more bandwidth than audio-only AirPlay, so if your WiFi is slow, video or screen mirroring may stutter or drop.