How Do I Activate AirPlay?
You can turn on AirPlay on your Mac from the menu bar, system preferences, or within certain apps.
Turn on AirPlay Screen Mirroring on Your Mac
To extend or mirror your Mac’s display, follow these steps to set up AirPlay.
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.
Do All Macs Have AirPlay?
All newer Macs 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 speakersHomePodsAirPort 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 TVsApple TVs with tvOS 11.4 and higher HomePods running iOS 11.4 and laterSpeakers 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.
