How to Turn on AirPlay on a Mac

This article explains how to turn on AirPlay on a Mac. You can use this feature to stream video or audio or extend or mirror your Mac display.

How Do I Activate AirPlay?

You can turn on AirPlay on your Mac from Control Center in the menu bar or within certain apps.

Turn on AirPlay Screen Mirroring on Your Mac

To extend or mirror your Mac’s display to an Apple or compatible smart TV, follow these steps to set up AirPlay.

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

   

2. Choose Screen Mirroring.

   

3. Click an Apple or AirPlay-compatible smart TV.

   

   To connect for the first time, you may be required to enter a passcode.

4. Choose the arrow beside the connected TV to control the mirroring or separate display options.

   

   To turn off AirPlay on a Mac, open Control Center > select Screen mirroring > and click the icon to the left of the TV or display to deselect it. On your iPad or iPhone, tap the Screen Mirroring icon from Control Center.

Turn on AirPlay to Stream Audio From Your Mac

If you’d like to stream only audio from your Mac, you can do that with AirPlay.

1. Open an AirPlay-enabled app such as Apple Music or Podcasts.

2. Navigate to the item you want to play and look for the Apple AirPlay icon.

   The AirPlay icon for audio streaming differs from the icon representing screen mirroring.

3. Select the device to cast audio to by checking the box beside it. The track should automatically play after you’ve made your choice.

   

Do All Macs Have AirPlay?

All newer Macs (running macOS Mojave 10.14.5) and later and older models (released in 2011 and later) have built-in AirPlay. Devices you can stream to using AirPlay include:

• Apple TVs (4K, HD, and 2nd and 3rd generation models)
• AirPlay-compatible speakers
• AirPlay-compatible smart TVs
• HomePods
• AirPort Express speakers

Macs running macOS Catalina (10.15), macOS Mojave (10.14.5), or iTunes 12.8 and later have an upgraded form of AirPlay called AirPlay 2, compatible with:

• AirPlay 2-compatible smart TVs
• Apple TVs with tvOS 11.4 and higher 
• HomePods running iOS 11.4 and later
• Speakers connected to Airport Express (2nd Generation)

Devices operating with these system requirements can stream audio to more than one AirPlay 2-compatible speaker or smart TV simultaneously.

Why Can’t I Turn on AirPlay on My Mac?

First, ensure Apple supports the device you want to use for AirPlay streaming. If you don’t have an Apple TV, look for information about AirPlay 2 support from your TV manufacturer. Some products might have special “Works with AirPlay” labeling on their packaging.

If you’ve confirmed compatibility, it could be an issue with connectivity or your AirPlay settings. Try these fixes:

• Move your Mac closer to the device you want to stream to.
• Restart your Mac and smart TV or speaker.
• Update your macOS operating system if necessary.
• Double-check that you’ve connected both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Check access restrictions on Apple TV or HomePod that could be blocking AirPlay from working.