There ’s a good theory that you ownan Apple gadget , like aniPhone , iPad , or andApple TV 4K. There ’s also an splendid chance that if you do have one of those twist , then you ’ve heard ofApple AirPlay , but maybe are n’t trusted what it is or how to use it .
AirPlay is a wireless standard that Apple created to allow users to wirelessly beam audio frequency and video depicted object from pop twist like the iPhone to AirPlay - compatible equipment , likesmart TVs , wireless speakers , or Apple equipment such as HomePods or Apple idiot box . How exactly do you get AirPlay up and bleed , though , and what are its limitations ? Let ’s find out !
What is AirPlay?
AirPlay and its more advance successor , AirPlay 2 , are technologies Apple invented to have people wirelessly transmit sound recording and video from their iOS equipment to nearby Speaker and screen . The iOS twist is considered the AirPlay “ sender , ” and the speaker or television is consider the AirPlay “ receiver . ” If you own an Apple portable machine such as an iPhone , iPad , or iPod Touch with Io 4.2 or after ( which should pretty much be everybody who owns one of these devices ) , you already have AirPlay built - in .
cogitate of AirPlay as an unseeable cable connect your iOS twist to the equipment you desire to watch or listen on because that ’s almost exactly the ripe analogy . There are two distinct way to use AirPlay : As a way to pullulate audio and picture and as a way to mirror your twist ’s entire CRT screen . We ’ll discourse the difference of opinion between these two function types below .
What’s the difference between AirPlay and AirPlay 2?
While Apple and most consumer tech brands simply pertain to AirPlay 2 as AirPlay now , there was a time when differentiating between version 1 and 2 was important . So , for the time being , we ’ll be result this division in to highlight AirPlay ’s evolution over the last couple of age .
AirPlay 2 gives you a few more choices over where and how you stream your content . From its origination , Apple claim that AirPlay 2 would be more thoroughly integrated throughout the iOS framework , making it compatible with a issue of third - party gadget and services .
From an audio standpoint , AirPlay 2 can be used to stream euphony to more than one speaker throughout the home . Users have the option of starting a song on their iPhone and sending the audio frequency to multiple AirPlay - compatible speakers at the same meter or hand - pick exactly what verbaliser the music plays on .
While AirPlay is still in use on plenty of third - partywireless speakersfor audio , AirPlay 2 can pour both video and sound to multiple third - party smart television andstreaming devices .
Is AirPlay just for iOS devices?
No . Any 2d - generation Intel Core ( or newer ) Mac estimator or laptop running atomic number 76 X Mountain Lion or later on can habituate AirPlay for screen mirroring . Windows computer do not natively tolerate AirPlay molding , so you ’ll need to practice a third - political party Windows app , such asAirMyPCorAirParrotthat will allow you to mirror your PC to an Apple TV .
Apple TVandApple tv set 4Kdevices are also AirPlay - enabled , though they ’re special in the AirPlay human beings , as they ’re both receivers and senders .
There are also a number of major television brand name and streaming equipment that extend support for AirPlay controls . Chief amongst these companies is Roku . With AirPlay directly integrated into Roku ’s operating organization , Roku equipment owners can well stream music and video to their television receiver and cyclosis devices .
Smart TV stigma such as Samsung , Sony , Vizio , andLGalso have AirPlay 2 financial backing build - in — although exact features and capableness will diverge by brand .
If you do some Googling , you ’ll also receive a Brobdingnagian community of ironware and software system developers that have light upon ingenious ways to bring AirPlay send and welcome to other gadgets , but none of these are officially supported by Apple , so your result may deviate if you decide to go down that route .
What kind of things can I do with AirPlay?
Streaming audio and video recording is pretty dim linguistic communication , so here are some specific example of exactly what you could do with AirPlay :
How to use AirPlay on a Mac
If for some reason you do not see the Airplay button in the menu bar , especially in old version of MacOS , this next section explicate how to enable AirPlay on a Mac .
How you do this will depend on which interlingual rendition of MacOS you are using . The mental process of turning on or get at AirPlay is a lot easygoing in the newer reading of MacOS .
tone 1 : The first stone’s throw is always to ensure that your Mac and impudent TV are on the same internet .
pace 2 : If you are using MacOS Big Sur 11 , click theAirPlay statusicon in the toolbar and then select your AirPlay - compatible smart TV .
If you are usingMonterey 12 or after , then you should tap theScreen mirroringicon in theControl centerand choose your AirPlay - compatible chic TV or other gadget .
stride 3 : Alternately , if you ’d like to plug in to an AirPlay - compatible loudspeaker , dawn theSpeakericon in the toolbar , which will show the uncommitted speakers in the free fall - down menu .
For these versions of MacOS , you are ready to apply Airplay .
How do I use AirPlay on my iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch?
Using AirPlay could n’t be easy , but you will call for at least three thing before you start :
How to mirror your iPhone to your TV via Apple TV
Step 1 : Swipe down from the top - correct turning point of your telephone screen to see the iOS Control Center .
Step 2 : tip theScreen mirroringbutton . In the following window , choose your target gimmick , which in this case isApple TV .
Step 3 : That ’s it — your iPhone ’s filmdom should now be exhibit on your TV .
Pro top : If you do n’t like how it looks when in a perpendicular orientation , just turn your phone sideways , and the image on your TV will do the same .
How to listen to Apple Music on a wireless speaker
Step 1 : spread out the Apple Music app and clean a song , record album , or play list to flirt .
Step 2 : On theNow playingscreen , tap theAirPlay audioicon .
Step 3 : In the following windowpane , choose your fair game audio equipment .
footfall 4 : Tap anywhere outside the window to come back to the Apple Music app . You ’ll now see that theAirPlay audioicon is exhibit that you ’re connected to Dining Room , for example .
Step 5 : Hit thePlaybutton , and that ’s it .
Pro tip : you could swipe up from the bottom of your screen any time you ’re diddle audio on your iOS equipment to get at the AirPlay audio command .
How to watch a YouTube video on your iPad while playing the audio through your wireless speakers
Step 1 : launch the YouTube app and pick a video to act .
Step 2 : solicit theAirPlay videoicon in the bottom - right corner of the video window , and in the comply menu , pick out your object audio gimmick .
footprint 3 : The audio will commence run on your chosen talker .
Pro tip : You could also do it by filch up at any time from the bottom of the screenland to get to the Control Center , and pick your talker ( or TV ) from the list .
How do I use AirPlay from an Apple TV?
The Apple TV and Apple TV 4 K are already fix up to act as AirPlay liquidator for sound recording and video , but they can also be used as transmitter , although just for audio .
You might desire to do this if you do n’t own a soundbar or an A / V recipient but you do have some AirPlay - compatible speakers , such as Apple ’s HomePod .
How to AirPlay from an iOS device to a Mac
If you ever have the want to mirror your iPhone , iPad , or iPod Touch ’s CRT screen to your Mac ’s large computer screen door , then this is how you do it . It ’s not really any unlike than AirPlay mirroring we ’ve blab out about , but it ’s only compatible with Macs running MacOS Monterey or later and work estimable on iOS 14 onthis list of devices .
Step 1 : link your compatible iOS equipment to the same Wi - Fi web that your Mac is on .
Step 2 : Open theControl centerby swiping down from the top - right corner . Or on an iPhone 8 or in the first place , swipe up from the bottom border of the screen .
Step 3 : Tap theScreen mirroringicon and select your Mac from the menu that appears . Your iOS gadget ’s screen should now be mirrored on your Mac ’s screen .
How to use AirPlay to stream the audio for a movie or show you’re watching
measure 1 : While take in , swipe down on your Apple boob tube remote control .
footfall 2 : SelectAudioand then choose each verbalizer or TV that you want to send the audio frequency to .
How to use AirPlay to stream the audio for music that you’re listening to
Step 1 : abstract down on your Apple television set remote .
Step 2 : Select theAirPlay audiobutton .
Step 3 : Select each verbalizer or TV that you want to play the audio to .
Pro lead : you’re able to also weightlift and contain on your Apple television set remote control and select a speaker .
What are some of the newest AirPlay features?
As part of Apple’smacOS Sequoia 15.2 update , AirPlay is get a much - call for raise . Now when you click the Screen mirroring icon , a drink down - up window appears with three choice : Entire Screen , Window or App , and Extended Display , along with the option to pick out a default .
This past fall , Apple also added spatial sound and Dolby Atmos keep to HomePods and compatible third - party loudspeaker system , as well as Apple Intelligence - power twist suggestions . The latter is peculiarly convenient if you own several AirPlay - compatible devices , as your Apple contraption can now evoke which gimmick to connect , found on how often you use it . You ’ll even be able-bodied to separate Siri which way to play your AirPlay substance in !
