A Simple Guide to AirPlay From iPhone to Mac

Many Apple device users are still unaware of all the features of AirPlay on current versions of iOS and macOS. The latest operating system updates have many new features, including enhanced media streaming with AirPlay and simplified device synchronization.

AirPlay comes in handy when you need to stream media from your iPhone to your Mac, Apple TV, or Apple audio system. For example, you can use this feature to one-touch watch videos on the big screen or play music on any multimedia device online.

Apple has two similar features: AirDrop and AirPlay. Their purpose is different because AirDrop transfers files and data between devices, while AirPlay is for streaming media (audio, video).

This article provides a step-by-step guide on using AirPlay to your advantage on current iOS (15.0 and up) and macOS (Monterey) versions.

Step-by-step Guide to Use AirPlay From iPhone to Mac

Follow a few simple steps to stream media from your iPhone to your Mac, Apple TV, iPad, or other devices that support this feature:

Screen Broadcast. Open the iPhone Control Center by swiping the display from the top down > select screen broadcast mode > select the desired device in the device list and activate the connection by entering the 4-digit password.
The Screen Mirroring will display available devices connected to your Wi-Fi network for streaming
Apple Music. Open Apple Music on your iPhone > select audio to play > open streaming mode > select a device and activate the connection > enjoy listening on your Mac, iPad, Apple TV or other devices.
Youtube. Open YouTube on your iPhone > turn on any video > press the broadcast button > select AirPlay > select and connect your device from the list.
Broadcast on other streaming services. AirPlay is supported on all streaming platform apps including Spotify, Netflix, Discord, and others (look for the screen broadcast symbol to activate the AirPlay feature).

We hope it worked for you! Now you can use AirPlay on multiple services and platforms to stream audio or video to your Mac, iPad, Apple TV, and other devices.

What to Do if AirPlay Doesn’t Work?

In some cases, AirPlay may not work correctly or may not activate at all on iPhones and Macs. First, you’ll need to check device compatibility, as not all Apple devices have supported AirPlay 2nd generation, active since 2018.

Your iPhone must have iOS version 11.4 or later for AirPlay to work consistently. If you connect your Mac, make sure it’s running macOS Catalina or a newer operating system version.

All conditions have been met, but AirPlay is still not working? Follow a few steps to fix it:

Make sure your sync devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (this is the primary condition for AirPlay to work);
Remove the restrictions on the Apple TV in the AirPlay > Homekit settings to allow AirPlay to work;
Reboot the devices and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

After performing these steps, try again. AirPlay will probably work on your iPhone and other devices.

Conclusion

AirDrop is indispensable for active users of Apple devices who like to listen to music or watch videos and movies on different devices that support syncing with iOS. It is an excellent solution for owners of Apple TV and wireless audio systems and iPhone and Mac users. AirDrop allows you to create a comprehensive media ecosystem that works in a few clicks.

Author
Recent Posts

Cyril Kardashevsky

I enjoy technology and developing websites. Since 2012 I'm running a few of my own websites, and share useful content on gadgets, PC administration and website promotion.

Latest posts by Cyril Kardashevsky (see all)