Whether or not you own an Apple machine , there ’s a good chance you ’ve heard of AirPlay . uncommitted for most Apple ironware — including theiPhone , iPad , iPod Touch , Mac computers , andApple TV streaming devices — as well as a range of third - company twist , AirPlay provide you wirelessly get off audio frequency and video from an Apple gadget ( the transmitter ) to acompatible speaker , smart TV , or cyclosis gadget ( the receiver ) .
But that ’s just strike the surface . There ’s a lot more to AirPlay than satisfy the optic , so we put together this pathfinder to teach you everything you should have a go at it about Apple ’s wireless protocol .
What is AirPlay anyway?
Originally debuting in 2004 as AirTunes , AirPlay is Apple ’s proprietary streaming communications protocol project to allow drug user to “ throw ” audio and TV signal from one “ sender ” equipment to one “ receiver ” equipment . Streamed content let in music , video , photograph , and screen sharing , all of which retain their metadata when sent via AirPlay .
Back then , transmitter devices included Windows calculator run Apple Music , iOS devices include iPhones , iPods , and iPads , and Mac computers fly the coop macOS X Mountain Lion or later ( depending upon the processor ) .
Receiver devices includeApple boob tube , Apple ’s HomePod , HomePod Gen 2 , HomePod Mini , Mac computers with Monterey macOS or new set up , and a all-inclusive mixture of support third - party wireless speaker system , as well as a number ofsmart TV platforms .
AirPlay also lease you “ mirror ” the screen of an iOS / iPadOS / macOS equipment to an Apple boob tube so that you do n’t terminate up with a mathematical group of the great unwashed huddling around a tiny screen just to see a function , photo , video recording , etc .
What does AirPlay do?
denote in 2017 , AirPlay 2 build on the original AirPlay feature determine and have you maintain more ascendance over AirPlay devices through Apple’sHomeKitplatform . At one peak , Apple and other consumer technical school brands often differentiate between the original AirPlay version and AirPlay 2 . These days , though , it ’s far more common to see AirPlay 2 simply referred to as AirPlay . That being said , we ’ll be keep this section as is for the metre being to showcase the organic evolution of the engineering .
Some of the most utile features of AirPlay admit :
Other devices that support AirPlay let in multiple soundbars , smart thermoregulator like the Ecobee , and other smart speakers .
While older versions of AirPlay allowed forlossless16 - bit/44kHz CD - lineament audio frequency , it turn out AirPlay 2 in reality lower the closure of all audio down to 256Kbp AAC . Holy Writ around the AirPlay pipeline is Apple opted for down in the mouth bandwidth to allow for multi - room audio via Apple Home . However , there are a couple of caveats :
If you come about to own old Apple computer hardware ( like the now - discontinue AirPort Express ) , you ’ll still be able to get lossless CD quality playback when using AirPlay . There are also a couple of exceptions for AirPlay 2 lossless playback , like if you ’re pour Qobuz from a Mac computer to a compatible AirPlay equipment .
Does AirPlay work on all my Apple devices?
AirPlay 2 is baked into iOS , iPadOS , and macOS , so whether you ’re using an Apple fluid gimmick or computer , you ’ll have full control of audio playback . The same goes for the Apple goggle box andApple TV 4Kstreaming devices . Apple ’s tvOS flex your Apple TV into a “ sender ” twist for audio , so if you ’re playing a motion-picture show on Apple TV , you could turn every AirPlay 2 speaker in your abode into an expanded home base dramatics auditory sensation system — a ready to hand feature for those without a consecrate soundbar or 5.1 menage theater system .
With the macOS Monterey update , Apple has also add together the ability to AirPlay like a shot from another Apple gadget , like an iPhone or iPad , directly to your Mac . This can be used to show media on a expectant screen if you require to apportion it with an audience , among other role . This macOS support is only available on Mac models sold within the last few years but work on MacBooks , iMacs , the Mac Mini , and more .
How is AirPlay different than Bluetooth?
Although AirPlay and Bluetooth both allow audio to be stream wirelessly , there are several important deviation :
Which devices work with AirPlay?
As mentioned , the list of AirPlay transmitter machine is fairly brusque , comprise mostly iOS devices ( they ’ll demand iOS 11 or later ) and Mac figurer ( macOS 10.13 or by and by ) — it wo n’t work on any twist made before 2011 .
The inclination of receiver equipment , on the other deal , is mature rapidly , and by our numeration , let in many brand name ofwireless speakersandAV receivers , plus a produce selection of TV brands . AirPlay has been expanding its scope in the streaming world as well , thanks to Roku twist accompaniment .
Here are just a few of the companies that already stand AirPlay on some of their mathematical product :
As you might expect , this is likely just a small fraction of the companies that plan to add Airplay support to their products eventually . Plus , some existing apps and products can be updated to back up AirPlay , in addition to new develop apps and production .
So , if you have some swank , Wi - Fi - enabled B&W Speaker , do n’t deal them just yet !
How to start using AirPlay
If you have compatible machine , using AirPlay is very comfortable , but there are several dissimilar ways to do it .
Using AirPlay to screen mirror
On an iOS / iPad OS equipment , get to the Control Center and pick out the two interconnected rectangles image . This will bring up a leaning of uncommitted screen mirroring devices on your web , like an Apple TV or a compatible Mac . Select the one you need .
Using AirPlay to stream video
Inside an AirPlay - compatible app on an iOS / iPad OS gadget , begin to play a television . Tapping the screen once should reveal a hardening of icon in the top - right street corner . Look for the rectangle with a Triangulum pointing into the bottom and pick out it . It should bring up a list of useable video AirPlay gadget on your web , like an Apple television receiver or a compatible Mac . Select the one you want .
Using AirPlay to stream audio
There are two manner to AirPlay audio on an iOS / iPad OS gadget . If your app support AirPlay , on the Now Playing screen , you may see a triangle with a radiating series of concentric rings . Selecting that image will bring up a list of available AirPlay audio machine on your connection , like a wireless speaker or an AirPlay - compatible Ab receiving system . Select the one you desire .
If your app does not endure lineal AirPlay streaming , you may make an AirPlay connection to a compatible speaker using the Control Center . Look for a medium control dialog box that has the same triangle with radiate concentric halo ikon , and take it . That will bring up a list of uncommitted AirPlay audio machine on your connection , like a wireless speaker or an AirPlay - compatible Ab telephone receiver . Select the one you want .
On a Mac , AirPlay audio options are launch in the Sound carte . This is often available from the Mac ’s top carte bar , but if the icon is n’t there , you may access it from the System Preferences app . take the AirPlay gadget you desire from the inclination .
