How to AirPlay From a Mac to TV: 3 Quick and Easy Methods

As an Apple user, I’ve often enjoyed the convenience of AirPlay. It lets me wirelessly stream audio, video, and other content from my Mac or iOS device to Apple TV, AirPlay-enabled speakers, or smart TVs. Through this guide, I’ll share my insights and tips on using AirPlay from a Mac to TV. I’ll cover everything from initial setup to solving common AirPlay connectivity issues you might encounter.

What Do You Need to AirPlay From a Mac to TV?

Before you can AirPlay from a Mac to TV, you must have the following:

• 💻 A Mac With macOS Mountain Lion or Later: You need a Mac running on macOS Mountain Lion (10.8) or a newer version. To check your macOS version, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look at the macOS version.

• 📺 An Apple TV or an AirPlay 2-Compatible TV: To use AirPlay from a Mac, you need an Apple TV (a small set-top box that connects to your TV) or a TV that supports AirPlay 2 natively. To check if your TV supports AirPlay 2, go to the Apple Support page, the manufacturer’s website, or the TV’s documentation.
• 📶 Your Mac and TV Connected to the Same Wi-Fi Network: AirPlay creates a direct wireless connection between your Mac and your TV. So, both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔌 Your TV is Turned On and Set to the Correct Input for Your TV: For AirPlay to work, your TV must be turned on and set to the correct input for your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-enabled TV. This usually involves selecting the HDMI input your Apple TV is connected to.

If you’ve got everything you need, you’re ready to AirPlay from a Mac to TV. I’ll guide you through the specifics in the sections below.

Are Your Devices Capable of Working With the AirPlay System?

If you want to use AirPlay to stream from your Mac to a bigger screen, remember that not every device is compatible. Here’s a breakdown of devices that work with AirPlay and the ones you can broadcast to:

Devices That Can Broadcast With AirPlay	Devices That Can Receive AirPlay
iPad 2 and higher	HomePod, HomePod mini
iPhone 4S and higher	Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and Apple TV 2nd/3rd Generation
iPod Touch	Speakers connected to the Audio Out port on AirPort Express
Mac or MacBook	Third-party speakers
Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD

How to AirPlay From a Mac Running Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur to a TV

To AirPlay from a Mac to TV using macOS 14, macOS 13, macOS 12, or macOS 11, you can access AirPlay through the Control Center. However, you need to have an Apple TV device or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV connected to the same network as your Mac.

Now, follow the instructions below to start AirPlaying your Mac’s content to a TV:

1. Click the Control Center icon in the Mac menu bar.

2. In the Control Center, select Screen Mirroring.

3. Choose your Apple TV device or the name of your smart TV to display your Mac’s screen on the TV.
4. Wait for a few seconds, and your Mac’s screen will start showing on your TV.
5. To stop AirPlay on macOS Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey, return to the Screen Mirroring menu, select Display Settings, and tap Disconnect.
6. To stop AirPlay on Big Sur, click Control Center and select Display Preferences. Click the dropdown menu next to AirPlay Display and select Off.

If you encounter any issues while setting up AirPlay, check out the troubleshooting section of this guide for help.

How to AirPlay From a Mac Running Catalina or Mojave to a TV

Here’s how to AirPlay from a Mac to TV if your Mac is running Catalina (10.15) or Mojave (10.14):

1. Make sure your MacBook and the AirPlay-enabled device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your MacBook screen.

3. Select the device you want to AirPlay to from the list of available devices under AirPlay To:
4. Alternatively, choose a device by opening the Control Center > Screen Mirroring and choosing the name of your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV.
5. You may be prompted on your Mac to enter a code displayed on your AirPlay-enabled device.
6. Now that you have turned on AirPlay on your Mac, it will automatically mirror your Mac’s screen to your TV.
7. To modify the screen resolution, reopen the AirPlay menu and select This Mac or Your Apple TV (or the name of your smart TV).
8. To stream specific content, open the app or content you want to AirPlay and look for the AirPlay icon within the app. Click the icon and select the device you want to stream to.
9. To stop AirPlay, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and select Turn AirPlay Off or Stop Mirroring.

How to AirPlay From a Mac to a Non-Apple Smart TV

If you have a compatible TV, you can AirPlay screen mirroring or audio casting from your Mac without an Apple TV. The steps to activate and use AirPlay are similar to those for connecting to an Apple TV.

However, you must keep the following considerations in mind to ensure a smooth AirPlay experience from your Mac to a non-Apple smart TV:

• Verify that your smart TV supports AirPlay by checking with the manufacturer or referring to a list of AirPlay 2-compatible TVs. Many Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio smart TVs, as well as Roku TVs and streaming devices, support AirPlay.
• Connect both your Mac and your smart TV to the same Wi-Fi network before turning on AirPlay.
• Keep your smart TV’s software up to date by checking for updates before attempting to AirPlay from your Mac.
• Adjust your smart TV’s AirPlay settings. The location of these settings will vary depending on your TV model, but they are generally found in the Settings area of your smart TV. Here, you can choose whether to require a passcode each time you connect to your TV from your Mac or reset the connection with specific devices.

Troubleshooting AirPlay on Mac

Sometimes AirPlay on Mac can run into issues. I’ve had a few myself. So let’s walk through some common AirPlay problems and their fixes. These solutions are practical and tested to get your streaming working without a hitch.

AirPlay Not Showing Up

If you can’t find the AirPlay icon in your Mac’s menu bar, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. 📶 Check Your Network: Make sure your Mac and the device you want to stream to are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is an essential requirement for AirPlay to function correctly.
2. ⚙️ Double-check AirPlay: Verify that AirPlay is enabled on your Mac. To do this, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff. Then, select Anyone on the Same Network in front of the Allow AirPlay for option.
3. 🔁 Restart Your Mac: If the above steps don’t work, you can try restarting your Mac and the device you want to stream to. Restarting can sometimes help clear up any temporary issues interfering with AirPlay connectivity, allowing you to AirPlay from a Mac to TV seamlessly.

AirPlay Not Connecting

If you’re unable to AirPlay from a Mac to TV due to connectivity issues with the device you want to stream to, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. 🔁 Restart Devices: Restart your Mac and the target device. It can help resolve connectivity issues.
2. 📶 Check Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure your Mac and the target device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re having trouble with the connection, try restarting your router or modem.
3. 📡 Enable AirPlay: Check the device settings to ensure that AirPlay is turned on. Depending on the device, you may need to manually navigate to the settings menu and enable AirPlay.
4. 🚫 Disable Firewalls/Antivirus: Make sure your Mac is not running any firewalls or antivirus software. Some firewalls or antivirus software may block the AirPlay connection. Try disabling these temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
5. ⬆️ Update Software: Make sure your Mac and the target device have the latest software and app updates installed. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with AirPlay.

AirPlay Disconnects Frequently

If you’re encountering frequent disconnections when using AirPlay, try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. 📶 Check Wi-Fi Signal: Ensure both your Mac and the target device have a robust Wi-Fi connection. Move closer to the router for better signal strength.
2. Minimize Bandwidth Usage 🚦: Disconnect non-essential devices from your Wi-Fi network to reduce bandwidth usage and improve AirPlay connectivity.
3. 🛑 Reduce Interference: Keep your Mac and target device away from appliances like cordless phones and microwaves that can interfere with Wi-Fi signals.
4. 🔁 Restart Devices: Restart your Mac and the device you want to stream to. It may fix the issue and allow you to AirPlay from a Mac to TV.

Start AirPlaying Your Mac Content to Your TV

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should easily set up and AirPlay from a Mac to TV. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section for help. Here are some more tips to improve your screen sharing experience:

• Besides AirPlay, you can use Apple’s native screen sharing app and third-party apps for screen sharing on a Mac.
• If you’re new to screensharing services, learn everything about AirPlay before you set it up on your Mac.
• Check out this list of all AirPlay-compatible TVs to see if yours is on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions