If you’re at all experienced with Macs, iPhones, iPads, or even just Apple-compatible speakers and TVs, you’ve probably seen references to AirPlay — a proprietary technology used to push media from one device to another. But what is AirPlay, exactly, and how do you use it?
What is AirPlay?
The simplest way to think of AirPlay is as an Apple equivalent of Google Cast. Both are Wi-Fi-based, and just as you might use Cast to push Spotify to a smart speaker, or a YouTube video to your Chromecast, Apple devices can do similar things with AirPlay. In fact, they sometimes have access to both options, depending on the app and the target device.
AirPlay is focused on audio, video, and photos, but it’s not limited to that. In some cases, you can mirror one device’s screen on another, regardless of the content — it could be a website, presentation, or any miscellaneous app. You’re typically stuck with onscreen interface elements, though, so it’s best to avoid mirroring when other AirPlay options are available.
The simplest way to think of AirPlay is as an Apple equivalent of Google Cast.
The basic technology dates back well over a decade. Apple gave it a significant overhaul with AirPlay 2, which was launched in 2018. That enabled things like multi-room audio, HomeKit integration, Siri voice commands, and a Control Center interface.
See also: Everything you need to know about Apple HomeKit
Which devices support AirPlay?
Any recent Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV offers some sort of ability to push media from one device to another. The one glaring gap is the Apple Watch. Although you’ll find an AirPlay button in its Control Center, you can’t actually push media directly, presumably because of the wearable’s low-powered specs. Instead, this lets you switch between Bluetooth audio outputs, say if you use Sony headphones at work but Beats Fit Pros when weightlifting.
These days, there are fewer and fewer limits on targets (outputs) for AirPlay. On top of Macs, HomePods, and Apple TVs, several third-party speakers support the technology, including brands like Bose, Sonos, JBL, Harman Kardon, and Yamaha.
These days, there are fewer and fewer limits on targets for AirPlay.
In the past couple of years, Apple has worked with brands like Sony, Samsung, LG, Roku, and Vizio to put AirPlay on TVs. The result is not just easier casting, but the potential for integration into HomeKit scenes and automations. A “Movie Night” scene, for example, might turn on your TV, close the blinds, and dim the lights in one fell swoop. You do, of course, need every link in the chain to be HomeKit-compatible.
You can pair a couple of HomePods with an Apple TV as default audio output. We should note, though, that this option doesn’t extend to third-party AirPlay speakers. Apple could fix this in the future, as long as it can solve audio-video sync.
Related: The best smart speakers
How do you control AirPlay?
In many cases, the process is as simple as launching a music, video, or photo app on your Apple device, then tapping on the AirPlay icon — this takes the form of a rectangle or concentric rings, either split by a solid triangle. If there are any compatible outputs within Wi-Fi range, they’ll appear in a list. Select a target device to start streaming. A notable exception is Spotify, which requires tapping on the Spotify Connect button and then selecting AirPlay or Bluetooth.
Once AirPlay is connected, you’ll be able to control playback via the app you’re using, lock screen controls, or Control Center. It’s sometimes simpler to start AirPlay via Control Center, since the button is always present there even if media is playing in the background.
Restricting AirPlay
Limiting AirPlay access via a target device’s settings is usually possible without disabling it entirely. For example, on an Apple TV, you can use the Settings app to specify one of three main options.
- Everyone: As long someone is in Wi-Fi range, they can stream to your device. Avoid this, because even well-meaning people can accidentally hijack your screen, especially if you use a common device name like “Living Room” or “Apple TV.”
- Anyone on the Same Network: Source devices must be connected to your Wi-Fi router. This is the best choice for most home users, since anyone you’d want streaming is probably already logged into your Wi-Fi.
- Only People Sharing This Home: This requires adding every potential device to Home Sharing via Music or Videos settings in iOS, iTunes for Windows, and/or System Preferences on a Mac. Each device will need to be signed in to a person’s Apple ID.
You’ll find similar options for HomePods by going into Home Settings > Allow Speaker & TV Access in the Apple Home app.
On top of this, you may see one or both of these conditional toggles, depending on the product:
- Require Password: Use this only if you’re worried about someone in your home abusing AirPlay, or you’re in an office setting where access has to be limited yet available to anyone giving a presentation.
- Also Allow Nearby to AirPlay: Generally speaking, this should be left off. This allows devices within Bluetooth range to establish an ad hoc Wi-Fi connection. However, you might turn this on if you’re hosting a party and want guests to control media.
Screen mirroring
Both source and target devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for screen mirroring. With this qualifier in mind, though, the process is as simple as opening Control Center on any Apple device, selecting Screen Mirroring, then choosing a Mac, Apple TV, or compatible third-party TV. You may be prompted to enter a passcode displayed on the target device.
Whenever you’re done, go back to the Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then Stop Mirroring. If you’re mirroring to an Apple TV, you can tap the Menu button on your Siri Remote.
Siri
If you’re watching video on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod but want to move it to an AirPlay-enabled TV (or Apple TV), you can use one of these two Siri commands:
- “Hey Siri, play this on the [room name] TV.” Room names must be assigned through the Apple Home app.
- “Hey Siri, play this on [device name].” This will work even if you haven’t assigned rooms, but it can be problematic if you have a complex device name, or multiple devices with similar names.
Similar options exist for audio:
- “Hey Siri, play this everywhere.” This means all of the AirPlay-enabled devices in your HomeKit home.
- “Hey Siri, move this music to the [room name].”
- “Hey Siri, stop playing music in the [room name].”
If you think a phrase should work, try experimenting with it. Apple tries to account for all contingencies and periodically updates Siri with new commands.
Continue: The best Siri commands for productivity, information, and more
