AirPlay is the feature that lets your iPhone send audio, video, or your entire screen to another device — like a speaker, TV, or Mac computer. Turning it off means your phone stops looking for those devices and stops sending to them if you're already connected.

You control AirPlay in two places: you can disconnect from a specific device right now, or you can turn off the feature entirely so your iPhone stops searching for devices to connect to. Most people only need to disconnect from one device — turning off AirPlay completely is less common, since the feature uses very little battery and doesn't send anything unless you tell it to.

Key Takeaways

  • To stop sending to a specific speaker or TV right now, swipe up from the bottom of your screen, tap the music or video player, then tap the AirPlay icon and select your iPhone.
  • If you want to prevent AirPlay from working at all, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Local Network, and toggle off the apps you don't want using AirPlay.
  • AirPlay is on by default, but it only sends when you actively choose a device — it doesn't broadcast your screen or audio without your action.
  • Some apps like Spotify or YouTube have their own AirPlay controls inside the app itself, separate from your iPhone's system settings.

Disconnect from a device you're currently using

If you're already sending audio or video to a speaker, TV, or other device and want to stop, the fastest way is through the Control Center — the panel you see when you swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top right on newer iPhones).

Look for the music player, video player, or screen mirroring card that shows which device you're connected to. Tap it, then look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle with sound waves or a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it. Tap that icon and select your iPhone's name from the list. Your phone will when ready stop sending to the other device.

Turn off AirPlay for specific apps

If you want to prevent certain apps from using AirPlay at all, you can block them at the system level. Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Local Network. You'll see a list of every app that has asked permission to use your local network — which includes AirPlay.

Toggle off the switch next to any app you don't want using AirPlay. That app will no longer be able to see or connect to AirPlay devices. This is useful if you have an app that keeps trying to connect to a speaker you don't use, or if you want to prevent an app from sending audio without your knowledge.

Disable AirPlay within individual apps

Many apps that play music or video — like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or Netflix — have their own AirPlay controls built into the app. These are separate from your iPhone's system AirPlay settings.

Open the app, start playing something, and look for an AirPlay icon (usually a triangle with sound waves or a rectangle with an arrow). Tap it and you'll see a list of devices. If you don't want the app to show AirPlay as an option at all, check the app's settings menu — some apps let you turn off AirPlay in their preferences.

What happens when you turn off AirPlay

If you disconnect from a device, that device stops receiving your audio or video when ready. If you toggle off Local Network access for an app, that app can no longer see any AirPlay devices at all — it won't show the AirPlay button.

Turning off AirPlay does not affect Bluetooth speakers or headphones. AirPlay and Bluetooth are different technologies. If you want to stop using a Bluetooth device, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and tap the "i" icon next to the device name, then select "Forget This Device."

Why you might want to turn off AirPlay

Most people disable AirPlay because they connected to a device by accident and want to stop sending to it. Others turn it off in specific apps because they don't want those apps searching for devices in the background, or because they're in a shared space (like an office or dorm) and don't want their phone connecting to someone else's speaker.

Disabling AirPlay for an app in Local Network settings is also useful if you're concerned about privacy — it prevents that app from discovering what devices are on your network. However, AirPlay itself doesn't send any data unless you actively choose a device and start playing something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AirPlay drain my battery?

No. AirPlay only uses power when you're actively sending audio or video to another device. The feature itself, just sitting there waiting for you to use it, uses almost no battery.

Can someone else use AirPlay to connect to my iPhone?

Not without your permission. AirPlay requires you to actively choose a device and start sending to it. Someone else cannot remotely take over your screen or audio without you tapping the AirPlay button first.

What's the difference between AirPlay and screen mirroring?

Screen mirroring is one type of AirPlay. AirPlay can send just audio (to a speaker), just video (to a TV), or your entire screen (mirroring). They use the same technology, but screen mirroring specifically means your whole display is being sent to another device.

If I turn off AirPlay, will I still be able to use Bluetooth speakers?

Yes. Bluetooth and AirPlay are completely separate. Turning off AirPlay does not affect Bluetooth at all. You can disable AirPlay and still connect to Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or car systems normally.

Why does my iPhone keep trying to connect to a speaker I don't use?

Your phone remembers devices you've connected to before and may try to reconnect automatically if it detects them nearby. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth, find the device, tap the "i" icon, and select "Forget This Device." For AirPlay devices, toggle off Local Network access for the app that's trying to connect.