AirPlay: The ultimate guide

HomePod on a TV stand with (Image credit: iMore)

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AirPlay to Apple TV
AirPlay with HomePod
AirPlay to Mac

AirPlay is Apple's proprietary wireless streaming protocol that lets you instantly share audio or video between your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and an Apple TV or another AirPlay-enabled device. Apple's HomePod also relies heavily on AirPlay.

Here's your ultimate guide to using AirPlay!

How to AirPlay to Apple TV with iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Control Center on iPhone X (Image credit: iMore)

Your favorite iPhone, iPad, and Mac are the heart of AirPlay. Without them to actually send the audio and video, AirPlay wouldn't be a thing. There's much you can do with AirPlay 2 and Apple TV. You can AirPlay video and AirPlay audio from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV. AirPlay mirroring is also possible from your Mac to Apple TV.

How to use AirPlay with HomePod

HomePod Control Center (Image credit: iMore)

AirPlay is what the HomePod experience is all about if you want your friends to play music from their iPhone on your speaker. There's two HomePod versions. The first, called HomePod, is no longer on sale. There's also the HomePod mini, which remains on the market. You can securely AirPlay on HomePod and also add multi-room audio and a stereo pair.

How to AirPlay content to your Mac

AirPlay on Mac with macOS Monterey (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)

Beginning in 2021, it's finally possible to AirPlay content to your Mac. Previously, it was only possible to use AirPlay to mirror Mac to Apple TV. On your supported device, you can AirPlay audio or video to your Monterey-installed Mac. It works on all of the best Macs!

Easy breezy

There's much you can do with AirPlay 2 across your various Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. So take advantage of the tool and enjoy video and audio in awesome new ways.

Updated February 2022: Updated for latest software.

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.