How to AirPlay and screen mirror to Apple TV on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

By Bryan M Wolfe
published

Let your devices talk to each other and deliver awesome content to your television.

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AirPlay lets you stream video and mirror your display from the iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV. The long-running technology also offers audio streaming to Apple TV and compatible speakers, including those connected to an AirPort Express router. If you’re on the same Wi-Fi network, AirPlay connects and starts streaming. If you’re not on the same network, AirPlay can use point-to-point Wi-Fi to stream. That makes AirPlay great for entertainment, education, and enterprise — tap a button, choose a target, and watch your show or run your presentation.

Here’s how to get started with AirPlay on all the best iPhones and Macs, including the iPhone 14 and 2022 MacBook Air. 

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to AirPlay video from your iPhone or iPad

You can AirPlay any video simply by mirroring your screen. Some video players, like YouTube, will even let you AirPlay right from the video pane (there's an AirPlay button on the bottom right of the video window when you tap it).

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to bring up Control Center.
  2. Tap Screen Mirroring.
  3. Choose the device you'd like to AirPlay to.

(Image credit: iMore)

If you're not on the same Wi-Fi network as the Apple TV you're targeting — for example, if you're at a meeting — the Apple TV will display a code and require you to enter it on your iPhone or iPad before streaming over point-to-point Wi-Fi.

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to stop AirPlay video on your iPhone and iPad

When you want to stop AirPlay, it's just as easy.

  1. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to bring up Control Center.
  2. Tap the device name for AirPlaying. The device name takes the place of "Screen Mirroring" in the Control Center.
  3. Select Stop Mirroring.

(Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad

Just like with video, some audio apps have a built-in AirPlay button. Whether they do or not, you can always AirPlay your audio from the Now Playing card in Control Center and send it to any Apple TV, AirPort Express-connected speakers, or any speakers with AirPlay built-in.

  1. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to bring up Control Center.
  2. Tap the AirPlay button on the Now Playing widget.
  3. Choose the device you'd like to AirPlay to.

(Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to stop AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad

If you're done with your audio on AirPlay, you can quickly bring it right back to your iPhone or iPad.

  1. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to bring up Control Center.
  2. Tap the AirPlay button on the Now Playing widget.
  3. Select your iPhone (or iPad) in the device list.

(Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to AirPlay Mirror from your Mac

Before you can mirror your Mac using AirPlay, you need to make sure all your devices are compatible. To use AirPlay Mirroring between devices on the same Wi-Fi network, you need:

  • Apple TV 2 (2010)
  • Apple TV 3 (2012)
  • Apple TV 4 (2015)
  • Apple TV 4K (2017)

And:

  • iMac (2011 or later)
  • iMac Pro (2017 or later)
  • Mac mini (2011 or later)
  • MacBook (2015 or later)
  • MacBook Air (2011 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (2011 or later)
  • Mac Pro (2013 or later)

To use point-to-point AirPlay Mirroring between devices, not on the same Wi-Fi network, you need:

  • Apple TV 3 rev A (2013)
  • Apple TV 4 (2015)
  • Apple TV 4K (2017)

And:

  • iMac (2012 or later)
  • iMac Pro (2017 or later)
  • Mac mini (2012 or later)
  • MacBook (2015 or later)
  • MacBook Air (2012 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (2012 or later)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013 or later)

You should also make sure you're running the latest software for your Mac and Apple TV.

  1. Click on the Control Center icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
  2. Choose Screen Mirroring.
  3. Click on your Apple TV from the dropdown (if you have multiple Apple TVs in the vicinity, choose the one you want to use right now).

(Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to switch AirPlay Mirroring modes on your Mac

AirPlay Mirroring will default to mirroring your HDTV's native resolution on your Mac. However, if you want to change that, it's easy to do.

  1. First, AirPlay your device using the directions above.
  2. Click on the Control Center icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
  3. Under your active Apple TV, choose your preferred option:
    • Click on Mirror Built-In Display to mirror your Mac's native resolution on your TV.
    • Click on Mirror Apple TV to resize your Mac's resolution to match your TV's resolution.
    • Click on Use as Separate Display to have your Mac extend your desktop and treat your TV as an additional display.

(Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay to Apple TV: How to stop AirPlay Mirroring from your Mac

When you're done, it's easy to turn AirPlay Mirroring off.

  1. Click on the Control Center icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
  2. Choose Screen Mirroring.
  3. Click on your active Apple TV from the dropdown to stop AirPlay Mirroring.

(Image credit: iMore)

Or click on the Menu button on your Apple TV remote. That'll stop AirPlay and return you to the Apple TV interface instantly.

Turn up your entertainment

AirPlay is one of those terrific built-in Apple features that many forget when it's time to find something to watch or hear. Use it anytime to watch and listen to your favorite YouTube video, Apple TV series, or album, from your mobile device to Apple TV. You can also use the feature to mirror whatever's happening on your computer screen to Apple TV, which is ideally suited for business meetings, instructional situations, and more. 

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.