What AirPlay actually does

AirPlay is Apple's system for sending audio, video, or your entire screen from one device to another over your home WiFi network. When you connect AirPlay to your TV, you are streaming content wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box to a television that supports it — nothing is being stored on the TV itself, and nothing is being recorded.

The practical result: you can watch a video from your phone on a bigger screen, play music through your TV's speakers, or show your Mac desktop to everyone in the room. The TV acts as a display and speaker only. Once you disconnect, nothing remains on the television.

AirPlay works only between Apple devices and TVs or speakers that have built-in AirPlay support, or through an Apple TV box connected to any TV. It is not the same as Bluetooth (which connects devices at shorter range) or casting (which is Google's equivalent system for Android devices).

Key Takeaways

  • Your TV must either have built-in AirPlay support or be connected to an Apple TV box for AirPlay to work.
  • Your Apple device and your TV must be on the same WiFi network before you can connect.
  • The AirPlay button appears in Control Center on iPhone and iPad, and in the menu bar on Mac.
  • If your TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

Which TVs and devices support AirPlay

Not every television has AirPlay built in. Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio have added AirPlay support to many of their newer models (generally 2018 and later), but older TVs do not have it. Check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if your specific model supports AirPlay.

If your TV does not have built-in AirPlay, you can add it by connecting an Apple TV box (the small black device that plugs into your TV's HDMI port). An Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD will let you use AirPlay on almost any television. This is the most reliable way to use AirPlay if you have an older TV.

On the sending side, AirPlay works from iPhone 5s and later, iPad (3rd generation and later), Mac (2011 and later), and Apple Watch. You need at least iOS 12.3, iPadOS 12.3, macOS 10.14.5, or tvOS 12.3 for full AirPlay support.

Setting up your network before connecting

AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same WiFi network. This is the most common reason AirPlay does not work. Open your iPhone's or Mac's WiFi settings and note which network you are connected to, then check your TV's network settings (or Apple TV's settings) and make sure it is on the same network.

If you have a guest network separate from your main WiFi, both devices must be on the guest network or both on the main network — they cannot be on different networks. Restart your WiFi router if devices are not finding each other after a few minutes.

You do not need to pair the devices beforehand or enter a password. Once they are on the same network, AirPlay discovery happens automatically.

Connecting from iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.

Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available AirPlay devices appears. Select your TV or Apple TV by name. If you see a code on your TV screen, enter it on your iPhone or iPad to confirm the connection. The code is a security step that prevents someone else on your network from connecting to your TV without permission.

Once connected, your iPhone or iPad screen appears on the TV. To disconnect, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Connecting from Mac

On Mac, the AirPlay button is in the menu bar at the top of the screen — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Click it and a dropdown menu shows available AirPlay devices. Select your TV or Apple TV by name.

If you are mirroring your entire screen, your Mac display appears on the TV exactly as it shows on your computer. If you want to use your TV as a second display instead (so you can have different content on each), hold the Option key while clicking the AirPlay menu, then select "Use as Separate Display."

To disconnect, click the AirPlay button again and select "Turn Off AirPlay."

Troubleshooting when AirPlay does not appear

If you do not see your TV in the AirPlay menu, the devices are not on the same network. Check WiFi settings on both the Apple device and the TV (or Apple TV). Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart.

Restart the Apple device itself: force-close Control Center or the menu, then turn the device off and back on. Restart the TV or Apple TV as well. After both devices restart, try AirPlay again.

If the TV still does not appear, check that your TV's AirPlay setting is turned on. On most TVs, this is in Settings > AirPlay or Settings > Apple AirPlay. On Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is enabled. If you are using an older Apple TV model, the setting may be under Settings > AirPlay.

What happens to your privacy when you use AirPlay

AirPlay streams over your home WiFi network, not through Apple's servers. This means the content you send stays between your devices and does not pass through the internet or any external service. If you are mirroring your screen, everything on your screen — including passwords, messages, and browsing history — is visible on the TV, so be aware of what is displayed.

The TV does not store or record what you send to it. Once you disconnect, the TV has no memory of what was displayed. However, if someone else is in the room, they can see your screen while you are connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if I do not have an Apple TV box?

Yes, if your TV has built-in AirPlay support. Most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs made after 2018 have it. Check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm. If your TV is older or does not support AirPlay, you will need an Apple TV box to use AirPlay.

Why does my TV not show up in the AirPlay menu?

The most common reason is that your Apple device and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check both devices' network settings and make sure they are connected to the same network name. Restart both devices and your WiFi router, then try again. If your TV has AirPlay disabled in its settings, turn it back on.

Can someone else on my WiFi network connect to my TV using AirPlay?

When you first connect, a code appears on your TV that you must enter on your device to confirm. This prevents strangers on your network from connecting without permission. If you do not enter the code, the connection does not complete. You can also disable AirPlay in your TV's settings if you do not want to use it.

Does AirPlay work over the internet when I am away from home?

No. AirPlay only works over your home WiFi network. If you are away from home, you cannot use AirPlay to send content to your TV. You would need to use a different service like a streaming app or remote access software.

What is the difference between AirPlay and screen mirroring?

Screen mirroring is the act of showing your entire device screen on the TV. AirPlay is the technology that makes it possible. You can also use AirPlay to send just audio (like music) or a single app (like a video) without mirroring your whole screen, depending on what you are doing.