AirPlay
AirPlay is Apple's wireless technology for streaming video, audio and screen content from an iPhone, iPad or Mac to an Apple TV, compatible smart TV or speaker. With video, the receiver often fetches the stream directly, while the Apple device acts as the remote. Apps using AVPlayer with HLS get basic AirPlay support with little extra work.
Why it matters
Apple users expect to send video to the TV with a tap. Supporting AirPlay well lets a business reach the living room on Apple TVs and many smart TVs without building separate apps, and failing at it can generate support tickets and poor reviews.
How it works
- The viewer taps the AirPlay icon in a supporting app and picks a TV or speaker.
- For supported video, the TV fetches the stream directly, such as an HLS playlist.
- The phone or Mac stays as a remote for play, pause and seek.
- For other content, the device can mirror its whole screen to the TV instead.
Why is AirPlay not working?
The most common causes are devices on different Wi-Fi networks, outdated software, or the app blocking AirPlay. Make sure both devices are on the same network and updated. Some DRM-protected apps restrict AirPlay or allow only audio. If screen mirroring works but in-app AirPlay does not, the app itself is the likely cause.
Does AirPlay work with Android?
Not natively. AirPlay is built for Apple devices, so Android phones cannot send to an AirPlay receiver without third-party apps. Android users usually cast with Google Cast instead. Many smart TVs support both AirPlay and Google Cast, so streaming apps often support both to cover every viewer.
Where it's used
OTT services, fitness apps and online learning platforms support AirPlay so iPhone, iPad and Mac users can send videos and live classes to Apple TVs and AirPlay-compatible smart TVs.
By the numbers
- Apple introduced the original version as AirTunes in iTunes 4.6 in 2004, and AirPlay 2 launched with iOS 11.4 in 2018. (AirPlay, Wikipedia)
