Stream video and audio from your iPhone with AirPlay

With AirPlay, you can stream video and audio from your iPhone to a nearby Mac or TV. You can also mirror what’s on your iPhone screen.

You can use AirPlay with your iPhone and a Mac, an Apple TV 4K, or another TV.

Before you begin

Make sure of the following:

Both devices have Wi-Fi turned on and are connected to the same network.
If you’re streaming between your own Apple devices, it’s useful to sign in to the same Apple Account.
To use AirPlay to stream content to a Mac, both devices meet minimum system requirements.
To use AirPlay to stream content to a TV, make sure you’re using Apple TV 4K or an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV.

If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration doesn’t prevent local networking, as that may interfere with some Continuity features.

Set up a Mac to allow streaming from your iPhone

On a Mac, go to the System Settings app .
Click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click AirDrop & Handoff, then turn on AirPlay Receiver.
Click the pop-up menu next to “Allow AirPlay for” and choose the devices that can use AirPlay to stream content to this Mac.
- Allow only your devices: If you only want to allow AirPlay from devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, select “Current user.”
- Allow any device: Select “Anyone on the Same Network” or Everyone.
To require a password to use AirPlay with the Mac, select the option, then enter a password.

Stream photos or videos from your iPhone to your Mac or TV

You can stream photos and videos from your iPhone to a Mac, an Apple TV 4K, or an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV.

On your iPhone, find the photo or video that you want to stream.
Tap .
Note: In some apps, you may need to tap a different button first, like .
Choose your Mac or TV from the list.
Use the playback controls on your iPhone.
To stop streaming, on your iPhone, tap , then tap Turn Off AirPlay.
Tip: You can set up your iPhone to discover and automatically connect to any Apple TV 4K or smart TV that you use frequently when you play content from apps that you use regularly with AirPlay. To turn this feature on or off on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity, tap the Automatically AirPlay pop-up menu, then choose Automatic, Never, or Ask.

Mirror your iPhone on a Mac or TV

Open Control Center on your iPhone.
Tap , then choose your Mac or TV as the playback destination.

To switch back, open Control Center, tap , then tap Stop Mirroring.

Play audio from your iPhone on a Mac or TV

You can use AirPlay to stream audio from your iPhone to a Mac or TV. If you’re streaming to your Mac, make sure you’ve set up the Mac to allow streaming from another device first. See Allow streaming from another device.

Go to an audio app (such as Podcasts or Music) on your iPhone, then choose an item to play.
Tap , then choose a playback destination.

You can also use AirPlay to stream audio from your iPhone to a HomePod. To learn more, see Play audio on HomePod using an iOS or iPadOS device.

Use AirPlay in your hotel room

If you stay in a hotel room with a TV that supports AirPlay, you can use it to play movies, TV shows, music, and more from your iPhone.

Open Camera on your iPhone.
If it’s not already on, turn on the room’s TV and locate the AirPlay QR code.
Scan the QR code with your iPhone camera, then follow the onscreen instructions to connect to your hotel Wi-Fi (if you’re not already connected) and the room’s TV.
Use your iPhone to display content on the TV screen by streaming photos or videos, mirroring your screen, or playing audio. Choose your hotel TV as the playback destination.
To stop streaming or mirroring, tap the AirPlay or Screen Mirroring button ( or ) on your iPhone, then tap your iPhone in the list or tap Stop Mirroring.

Note: AirPlay in hotels isn’t available in all countries or regions.

If AirPlay isn’t working

Make sure that both of your devices are on the same network.
Check that your Mac is set up to allow streaming from another device.
See the Apple Support article If screen mirroring or streaming isn’t working on your AirPlay-compatible device.

Helpful?

iPhone User Guide