To set up AirPlay on Apple TV, open Settings > AirPlay and Apple Home and turn on AirPlay. Then connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the same Wi-Fi network as the Apple TV and select it as the playback destination or screen-mirroring target. A passcode may appear on the TV and need to be entered on your device.
Before you start
You need an AirPlay receiving device: Apple TV 4K or a compatible smart TV can serve as the destination. If you already have a compatible television, you may not need an Apple TV. Feature availability can vary by country, region, and Apple TV hardware, so check the guidance for your specific device if an option is missing (Apple TV 4K user guide).
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Keep the sending device and Apple TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Apple notes that this may be required for streaming to Apple TV 4K (Apple TV 4K user guide).
How do I turn on AirPlay on Apple TV?
- Open Settings on Apple TV.
- Select AirPlay and Apple Home.
- Turn AirPlay on.
Use Allow Access in the same settings area to control who can connect. Options can vary by software version. Apple also lists Conference Room Display and display underscan settings in this area (Apple TV 4K user guide: AirPlay and Apple Home settings).
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Choose between mirroring and streaming
| Method | What appears on Apple TV | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Mirroring | Your device’s screen, including apps and other on-screen activity | Open Screen Mirroring in Control Center and choose Apple TV |
| In-app AirPlay | Supported video or audio from the app | Start playback, tap the AirPlay button or playback destination control, and choose Apple TV |
Use mirroring when you want the whole screen on the television. Use in-app AirPlay for supported media; some video apps do not support AirPlay. With either method, a passcode may be shown on the television for you to enter on the sending device (Apple Support: stream video and audio; Apple TV 4K user guide).
How do I mirror my iPhone or iPad to Apple TV?
- Confirm the iPhone or iPad and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center. On an iPhone or iPad with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen; on other models, swipe down from the upper-right corner.
- Tap Screen Mirroring, then select Apple TV.
- If a passcode appears on the television, enter it on your iPhone or iPad.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then choose the option to stop mirroring. For supported video, you can instead start playback and select Apple TV using the AirPlay control in the app. Audio can be routed to Apple TV from the playback destination controls in an audio app or Control Center (Apple Support: stream video and audio; Apple Support: mirror your iPhone screen).
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How to connect a Mac to Apple TV
- On macOS Big Sur or later, open Control Center from the menu bar.
- Select Screen Mirroring, then choose Apple TV.
- On macOS Catalina or earlier, use the AirPlay control in the menu bar if it is available.
To send audio without mirroring the screen, choose Apple TV from the Mac’s Sound control. Menu labels and availability can vary with macOS version (Apple TV 4K user guide).
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Use AirPlay in a conference room
Apple TV 4K can show on-screen instructions for connecting to a conference-room display. A PIN can be configured to be required every time someone uses AirPlay. These settings are intended for shared-display situations and are separate from choosing an ordinary personal-device destination (Apple TV 4K user guide: Conference Room Display).
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Why is my Apple TV not showing up on AirPlay?
Work through Apple’s checks in order; its troubleshooting article was published September 23, 2025 (Apple Support: If you can’t stream or mirror content with AirPlay).
- Make sure both devices are powered on and near each other.
- Install available software updates on both devices.
- Confirm both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart both devices, then check the AirPlay destination list again.
- If the Apple TV is configured in the Home app, check Home settings for restrictions that may prevent AirPlay connections.
If Apple TV asks for a password
Check Apple TV’s AirPlay password settings and any content restrictions. If you are connecting in a conference room, a recurring PIN requirement may be enabled (Apple Support: If you can’t stream or mirror content with AirPlay; Apple TV 4K user guide: Conference Room Display).
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If video plays but there is no sound
Check volume and mute on the sending device and on the television or receiver. Also confirm the intended playback destination is selected (Apple Support: If you can’t stream or mirror content with AirPlay).
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If discovery still fails
A VPN configuration that blocks local networking may interfere with some continuity features. If the devices otherwise meet the checks above, review whether a VPN or network setting is preventing local-device communication (Apple Support: mirror your iPhone screen).
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