What’s AirPlay and how does it work?

Want to gather the family and share a video from your iPhone® or iPad® on a bigger screen? Or maybe you want to play the new Taylor Swift single on a speaker that sounds better than the one on your phone. AirPlay® is the answer. We’ll explain how it works.  

Asurion Experts can help you set up your tech and show you how to make your devices work  together, whether you want to connect with Bluetooth or pair your AirPods to your Mac or iPhone. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple® AirPlay. 

What is Apple AirPlay? 

AirPlay is a wireless technology that lets you stream audio, video, and photos from Apple devices like your iPhone, iPad, and Mac® to compatible streaming devices like your Apple TV, smart TV, and wireless speakers. With the AirPlay feature, you can watch a TikTok® video with a friend on your TV, share a presentation at work on a large screen, or send a party playlist from Apple Music® to your smart speaker.  

How does Airplay work 

AirPlay works over your Wi-Fi network, making it easy to share content from one device to another without the need for cables. You can either stream from one compatible device to another—think playing a video or music— or mirror your screen—think displaying photos.

With AirPlay 2, you can play music on multiple AirPlay-compatible speakers at once and control what plays in different rooms using the Home app or Siri®.  

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How to set up AirPlay 

It’s easy to set up an AirPlay connection. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Make sure your iOS device is running the latest software and is on the same Wi-Fi network as your AirPlay-compatible device. 
2. If the app you’re using on your iOS® device supports AirPlay, you’ll see the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) in the upper-right or bottom-right corner of your screen. 
3. Tap the icon and select where you want to send video or audio. You may need to enter a code displayed on your screen. 
4. Once you’re connected to AirPlay, use your iOS device to start and stop streaming. 
5. To disconnect from the AirPlay device, tap the AirPlay icon on your iOS device and select your iPhone, iPad, or other iOS device. 

How to turn on screen mirroring 

If the app you’re using doesn’t have an AirPlay or Cast button, you can still share what you’re seeing on your iOS device on an AirPlay-compatible device by mirroring your screen. Here’s how: 

1. Confirm that your iOS device is running the latest software and is on the same Wi-Fi network as your AirPlay-compatible device.
2. Open the Control Center. 
3. Look for the Screen Mirroring icon (overlapping rectangular boxes), then select your TV from the list of devices. 
4. Follow the on-screen instructions on your TV and your iPhone. If prompted, type in an AirPlay passcode on your TV.