AirPlay: Ultimate guide
- sep
- 03
How do you send video from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your Apple TV? How do you beam audio to your connected speakers? With AirPlay!
AirPlay lets you stream video and mirror your display from iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV. It also lets you stream audio to Apple TV and any compatible speakers, including those connected to an AirPort Express router. If you're on the same Wi-Fi network, AirPlay simply 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 — just tap a button, choose a target, and watch your show or run your presentation.
Apple's 2016 software updates — iOS 10, watchOS 3, tvOS 10, and macOS Sierra — are currently available as closed developer previews or as public betas for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. (Sadly, no public beta for the Apple Watch or tvOS this year.) While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from the developer previews, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release this fall.
- How to AirPlay video from your iPhone or iPad
- How to stop AirPlay video from your iPhone or iPad
- How to AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad
- How to stop AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad
- How to AirPlay Mirror from your Mac
- How to switch AirPlay Mirroring modes on your Mac
- How to stop AirPlay Mirroring from your Mac
How to AirPlay video from your iPhone or iPad
Apple has simplified how AirPlay works for video. Previously you'd turn AirPlay on, then choose whether or not to mirror. Now, AirPlay will mirror by default, and switch to video streaming whenever it detects a video to stream.
While some apps build AirPlay buttons into their media controllers, it's inconsistent enough that going straight to Control Center, where AirPlay can always be found is the best option.
- Swipe up from the bottom bezel onto the screen to bring up Control Center.
- Tap the AirPlay button in the middle, left.
Tap on the AirPlay source — the Apple TV you want to target.
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.
How to stop AirPlay video on your iPhone and iPad
When you want to stop AirPlay, it's just as easy.
- Swipe up from the bottom bezel onto the screen to bring up Control Center.
- Tap the AirPlay button in the middle, left.
Tap on Turn Off AirPlay Mirroring
How to AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad
Just like with video, some audio apps will build in their own AirPlay button. Whether they do or not, you can always AirPlay your audio from the new Now Playing card in Control Center, and send it to any Apple TV, AirPort Express-connected speakers, or any speakers with AirPlay built-in.
- Swipe up from the bottom bezel onto the screen to bring up Control Center.
- Swipe from right to left to get to the Now Playing card, if you're not there already.
- Tap the Audio Destination button at the bottom.
Select the device name you want to AirPlay audio to.
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.
- Swipe up from the bottom bezel onto the screen to bring up Control Center.
- Swipe from right to left to get to the Now Playing card, if you're not there already.
- Tap the Audio Destination button at the bottom.
Select iPhone or iPad to restore audio to your device.
How to AirPlay Mirror from your Mac
You can AirPlay video from your Mac using the AirPlay button on Safari, QuickTime, and a few other apps. You can also mirror your entire display, or use AirPlay to turn your HDTV into a second monitor.
- Click on the AirPlay icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
Click on Apple TV from the dropdown. (If you have multiple Apple TV's in the vicinity, choose the one you want to use right now.)
How to switch AirPlay Mirroring modes on your Mac
AirPlay Mirroring will default to mirroring your HDTV's native resolution on your Mac. If you want to change that, it's easy to do.
- Click on the AirPlay icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
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 the resolution of your TV.
- Click on Use as Separate Display to have your Mac extend your desktop and treat your TV as an additional display.
How to stop AirPlay Mirroring from your Mac
When you're done and want to return your Apple TV to being an Apple TV, it's easy to shut off.
- Click on the AirPlay icon on the right side of your Mac's menubar.
Click on Turn AirPlay Off.
Or simply click on the Menu button on you Apple TV remote. That'll stop AirPlay and return you to the Apple TV interface instantly.
Any AirPlay questions?
Having trouble with AirPlay or have any additional questions? Let me know in comments!