how to airplay from mac computer to apple tv

Windows computers can use Apple’s free iTunes software for Windows to stream audio from the computer to compatible audio devices. Any second-generation Intel Core (or newer) Mac computer or laptop running OS X Mountain Lion or later can use AirPlay for screen mirroring. For your consideration, here’s a list of companies that have embedded the technology into their wireless speakers, A/V receivers, and more.ĭan Baker/Digital Trends Is AirPlay just for iOS devices?

While AirPlay is still in use on plenty of third-party wireless speakers for audio, you can expect to see AirPlay 2 streaming both video and audio to multiple third-party smart TVs and streaming devices. Users have the option of starting a song on their iPhone and sending the audio to multiple AirPlay-compatible speakers at the same time or hand-picking exactly what speakers the music plays on.įor fans of the now discontinued Apple HomePod, AirPlay 2 has made it possible for the smart speaker to do a number of things, including lossless audio streaming (iOS 14.6 and up) from an iPhone to the HomePod or HomePod mini, as well as the ability to share music queues. From its inception, Apple claimed that AirPlay 2 would be more thoroughly integrated throughout the iOS framework, making it compatible with a number of third-party devices and services.įrom an audio standpoint, AirPlay 2 can be used to stream music to more than one speaker throughout the home. What’s the difference between AirPlay and AirPlay 2?ĪirPlay 2 gives you a few more choices over where and how you stream your content. We’ll discuss the differences between these two use types below. There are two distinct ways to use AirPlay: As a way to stream audio and video and as a way to mirror your device’s entire screen.

Think of AirPlay as an invisible cable connecting your iOS device to the device you want to watch or listen on because that’s almost exactly the right analogy. The iOS device is considered the AirPlay “sender,” and the speaker or TV is considered the AirPlay “receiver.” If you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch with iOS 4.2 or later (which should pretty much be everybody who owns one of these devices), you already have AirPlay built-in. Fitbit Versa 3Īpple device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, Apple TV)ĪirPlay- or AirPlay 2-compatible receiving deviceĪirPlay and its more advanced successor, AirPlay 2, are technologies Apple invented to let people wirelessly transmit audio and video from their iOS devices to nearby speakers and screens.

How to airplay from mac computer to apple tv