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Do you want to project your iPhone or iPad screen to a larger display screen? Try AirPlay. It is a wireless technology by Apple that enables you to connect AirPlay-compatible devices wirelessly to stream music, video, and photos. Whether it’s playing music wirelessly from your iPhone to an AirPlay speaker or streaming a video stored on your iPhone to a TV, AirPlay gets the job done. This article discusses the features and uses of AirPlay, including troubleshooting tips, to help you make the most of this technology.
What is AirPlay?
AirPlay is a wireless technology that connects AirPlay-compatible devices to stream music, video, and photos. It uses Wi-Fi to allow you to play music wirelessly from your iPhone on an AirPlay speaker or stream video from your iPhone or iPad on a TV with an Apple TV.
There are two types of AirPlay receivers: an AirPlay speaker that offers wireless audio playback and an Apple TV that’s capable of displaying photo albums, the latest Netflix films, and even mirroring your whole screen on the TV with minimal lag.
The addition of an Apple TV transforms any TV into a smart one and makes it possible to stream music, photos, and videos. You can buy an Apple TV from the Apple Store for as little as £149 or $149.
AirPlay 2
AirPlay 2 is the first update to the AirPlay standard in years. It was first announced at WWDC in summer 2017 but wasn’t released until April 2018. AirPlay 2 supports multi-room streaming, making it possible to stream music from your iPhone to two separate Apple TVs in two separate rooms.
The HomePod, Apple’s smart speaker, didn’t support multiroom audio at launch, although Apple promised to add this capability later in 2018. The first beta of iOS 11.4 offers the ability to connect two HomePods for stereo sound.
How to Use AirPlay: Step-by-Step
You can use AirPlay in iOS 11 if you have an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible speaker.
To Connect to AirPlay:
The method of connecting to AirPlay varies from app to app. Generally, look for a button labeled AirPlay or Screen Mirroring or the AirPlay logo (a triangle with round waves rising from the tip or a triangle with a square on the top).
In Music, the AirPlay logo is at the bottom of the Now Playing page. Tap it and select a target device to play your music wirelessly.
In apps like Photos, tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing at it), then tap AirPlay, and select the desired target device.
To connect to AirPlay from the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, tap on Screen Mirroring, and select the target device.
To Mirror Your Screen:
You can mirror all media from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your Apple TV or AirPlay speaker. You can also mirror your entire screen to a TV connected to an Apple TV. This feature allows multiple people to see how to complete an iOS-specific task or play games on the big screen.
Swipe up to open the Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select a target device to see your iOS screen on your TV.
AirPlay Tips and Troubleshooting
AirPlay can be finicky at times. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot issues:
- Make certain your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- If AirPlay stops working, unplug and replug your Apple TV or restart your iOS device.
- If you have a weak Wi-Fi connection, limited bandwidth, or lots of devices on the network, the quality of AirPlay’s streaming will suffer. Consider upgrading your Internet connection or connecting your Apple TV to your router using an Ethernet cable.
- If you’re having trouble with a third-party app, ensure that it supports AirPlay and look for the AirPlay icon within it. If it’s missing, the app may require a soft reset or reinstallation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Know If My Device Is AirPlay-Compatible?
To determine whether your device supports AirPlay, check Apple’s website and look for a list of supported devices.
Can I Use AirPlay on Non-Apple Devices?
No, you cannot use AirPlay on non-Apple devices. However, some third-party devices, such as Google Nest or Chromecast, allow you to stream content from your iPhone or iPad.