For those who are unaware, AirPlay allows you to wirelessly screen mirror your Mac to a TV. This is pretty simple to accomplish with most modern Macs and TVs, as long as they both support this extremely useful feature.
Here are some pointers to help you get started with Screen Mirroring or Airplay to share content from your Mac to a television. But while Apple’s implementation of these features is straightforward, its ultimate success may be determined by the type of television you use. Don’t be surprised if you need to download additional software for your TV, buy a third-party device, or if your TV is incapable of implementing this feature at all.
What Exactly is Airplay?
AirPlay is Apple’s audio and video streaming technology that lets you stream movies or music from your Mac or iOS device to compatible speakers or a television. For example, you can start watching a movie on your Mac and then use AirPlay to send it to your TV to watch it on a larger screen.
What Do I Need to Airplay From My Mac to My TV?
First, you’ll need an Apple TV box connected to your TV or a compatible smart TV in addition to a Mac. Recent smart TVs from LG, Sony, and Samsung, as well as Roku streaming devices, support AirPlay 2. Look for an AirPlay 2 logo on your TV’s box or instruction manual, or enter the model number into the manufacturer’s website to see if it’s compatible.
Furthermore, your Mac and the Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. As long as those conditions are met, you should be able to AirPlay from your MacBook to your TV, though the method varies depending on the version of macOS your Mac is running.
How To Use Airplay in MacOS 12 or MacOS 11: Connect a Mac to a TV
- In the Control Center of a Mac running Monterey (macOS 12) or Big Sur (macOS 11), select AirPlay. On the same network as the Mac, you’ll need an Apple TV device or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV.
- Select the Control Center icon from the Mac menu bar.
- Select Apple TV or the name of your smart TV to begin displaying your Mac’s screen on your TV.
- Return to the Screen Mirroring menu and select Display Preferences to turn off AirPlay.
- You can also access Display Preferences from the Mac menu bar by selecting the AirPlay icon and then Display Preferences.
- In the window that appears, select Display Settings in macOS 12. (In macOS 11, the process differs slightly from this.)
Note: To stop AirPlay in macOS 12, select Disconnect. To close the window, select Done. To turn off AirPlay in macOS 11, select Display Preferences in the Screen Mirroring window, then select Off from the menu next to AirPlay Display.
How to Disconnect Airplay from a TV on a Mac
To disconnect, the procedure in Monterey and Ventura differs slightly from that in Big Sur.
#1. Ventura or Monterey
- Select Display Preferences from the Control Center menu.
- Select Display Settings.
- Click the Disconnect button.
#2. Big Sur
- Select Control Center and then Preferences.
- Select Off from the menu next to AirPlay Display.
How to Airplay From a Mac Running Mojave or Catalina
- In the menu bar, select the AirPlay icon. If you don’t see the icon, go to System Preferences > Displays and check the box for Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available.
- From the AirPlay menu, select your Apple TV or smart TV.
- If this is your first time using AirPlay from your Mac to the TV, the TV may display a code that you must enter into a dialog box on the Mac to confirm.
- To change the screen resolution, go back to the AirPlay menu and select This Mac or Your Apple TV (or the name of your smart TV if you’re using one).
- To disconnect, go back to the AirPlay menu and select Stop AirPlay.
How to Airplay From a Particular App
AirPlay can also be enabled from within some apps and websites. Look for the AirPlay icon near the video’s play controls. If you see it, tap it and select the Apple TV or smart TV to which you want to AirPlay.
You can AirPlay from your Mac to a TV as well as from an iPhone or iPad to your Mac. However, Monterey or Ventura must be installed on the Mac.
- In older macOS versions, go to System Preferences, and in Ventura, go to System Settings.
- Select Sharing.
- Select the AirPlay Receiver checkbox.
- Select current user, anyone on the same network, or everyone from the drop-down menu.
- Tap the AirPlay icon in an iPhone or iPad video app and select your Mac.
- Tap the Share button in Photos on the iPhone or iPad, then swipe up to the AirPlay button and select your Mac.
How to Use AirPlay on your iPhone
These instructions are for an iPhone, but they are also applicable to an iPad or an iPod. The app from which you are playing the video determines the procedure’s biggest differences. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- When you open the app or a video in the app, if you see an AirPlay button, which looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing up at the bottom, tap on it to use AirPlay. In the YouTube app for iPad, for example, there will be an AirPlay button in the bottom right corner of the video.
- If you don’t see an AirPlay button, go to the app’s casting, sharing, or playing content on a different device option, and then tap the AirPlay option. In the YouTube app for iPhone, for example, tap the cast button at the top of the screen (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol protruding from the bottom left corner) and then tap “AirPlay & Bluetooth devices.” Tap the share button (which looks like a square with an arrow coming out of the top) in Photos. Scroll down and select AirPlay.
- Tap the device you want to use AirPlay with for either type of app.
- A code may be displayed on your television. Enter that into the box on the screen of your phone and press OK.
- You’re now casting your video to your TV using AirPlay.
To stop casting, open the AirPlay window in the same way you did above (this will vary depending on the app) and select "iPhone" from the list of devices. This will send your TV feed back to your iPhone. In Photos, tap the AirPlay icon in the upper right corner, then "My Device."
How Can I AirPlay From My Mac to My Smart TV If I Don’t Have an Apple TV?
If you have a compatible television, you don’t need an Apple TV to enjoy AirPlay screen mirroring or audio casting from your Mac. Turning on and using AirPlay is similar to connecting to an Apple TV. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to AirPlay from your Mac to a non-Apple smart TV.
- Check to see if your smart TV supports AirPlay: Many smart TVs now include AirPlay or AirPlay 2 audio casting support. Roku TVs and streaming devices, as well as several Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio smart TVs, come with AirPlay enabled. Check with the manufacturer or browse this list of AirPlay 2-compatible TVs to ensure your TV can AirPlay.
- Join the same wireless network: Connecting your Mac and smart TV to the same Wi-Fi network before turning on AirPlay will yield the best results.
- Update your television software: It’s always a good idea to keep your smart TV up to date with the latest software updates. Before attempting to AirPlay from your Mac, check for an update.
- On your smart TV, adjust the AirPlay settings as follows: The exact location of your AirPlay settings will vary depending on your TV model, but in general, you’ll find this section in the Settings section of your smart TV. You can change whether a passcode is required each time you connect to your TV from your Mac or reset the connection with specific devices here.
How do I connect my Mac to a Samsung TV via AirPlay?
Use AirPlay mirroring or casting from your Mac if you have an AirPlay 2-compatible Samsung TV. Apple and Samsung both list compatible televisions and monitors on their support websites. Look for your TV model number on the packaging, in the user manual, or on the back of the device for assistance.
What is the best way to AirPlay from a Mac to a Fire TV?
To cast to a Fire Stick from a Mac, install an app on your Fire Stick, such as AirScreen. Then, on your Mac, select your Fire Stick device from the AirPlay icon drop-down menu. AirPlay is also supported on some Toshiba and Insignia Amazon Fire smart TVs.
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