Learn how to mirror your iOS / macOS device screen on Apple TV

Do you know that video on your iPhone / iPad / iPod touch that you wanted to show to the whole family? Or, who knows, have you ever wanted to watch your favorite show without being bent over your MacBook / iMac?

If you have an Apple TV, know that you can mirror your device’s screen and stream videos, share photos or display exactly what you’re seeing on your screen using the feature AirPlay. Understand how to configure this feature in the following step-by-step instructions!

Stream a video from iOS to Apple TV via AirPlay

To stream a video from your iPhone / iPad / iPod touch to your Apple TV via AirPlay, make sure the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  1. Open the Photos app or the app the video is on;
  2. Touch the share icon (bottom left) and then AirPlay;

    Sending a video to Apple TV via AirPlay

  3. Select the Apple TV you want to send the video to;
  4. To stop the transmission, touch AirPlay cone and select your iOS device from the list.

If you do not hear the audio while playing videos on Apple TV (from an iOS device), make sure the TV volume is not too low or muted (yes, “stupid” but it does).

Play / Silent button

Also, check that the iPhone / iPad / iPod touch is in silent mode (side button).

Stream a video from macOS to Apple TV via AirPlay

Just like on iOS, the process for displaying a video from your Mac to Apple TV is simple. For this:

  1. Open the app from which you want to stream the video;
  2. In the playback controls (fast forward, pause, rewind) click AirPlay cone;
  3. Select the Apple TV you want to send the video to;
  4. To stop the transmission, click AirPlay cone and select the option “Disable AirPlay”.

Mirror the iOS device screen via AirPlay

You can also use screen mirroring to show the content of your iOS device on Apple TV, regardless of the open app (show everything that is happening on your device). Before that, make sure that the devices are compatible with AirPlay and that they are turned on and close to each other.

  1. On the iOS device, open the Control Center and tap on the option “Mirror the Screen”;

    Mirroring the iOS screen on Apple TV

  2. Select the desired Apple TV from the list;
  3. If Apple TV displays an access code, enter it on the iOS device;
  4. To stop mirroring the screen, open the Control Center of the iOS device and tap “Stop Mirroring”. Or, press the "Menu" button on the Apple TV Remote.

The TV will use the orientation / aspect ratio of your iOS device. To fill the TV screen with your iPhone / iPad / iPod touch screen, change the TV's zoom and aspect ratio settings.

Mirror or extend macOS screen via AirPlay

You can use Apple TV to mirror your Mac's screen to the TV or use it as a second screen / monitor, extending it. To do this, follow the instructions below:

  1. On the macOS menu bar, click AirPlay cone. If you are not viewing the icon, go to Monitors System Preferences and select the checkbox “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available”;

    Mirroring the macOS screen on Apple TV

  2. Select the Apple TV you want to mirror the screen from the list;
  3. If Apple TV displays an access code, enter it on the Mac;
  4. To stop mirroring or stop using the TV as a second screen, click AirPlay cone in the menu bar and select “Disable AirPlay”. Or, press the "Menu" button on the Apple TV Remote.

To change the size of the mirrored screen on the TV, click AirPlay cone in the menu bar; then, select the “Mirror Integrated Screen” option so that your entire table is displayed on the TV or “Mirror Apple TV” to match the size of the TV.

To use the TV as your Mac's second screen, just click AirPlay cone and select the option “Use as separate screen”.

· • ·

In any of the configurations, it is possible that the transmission or mirroring will lock up a little during use. Among the reasons that cause this problem, we have an internet connection (it may be weak or suffer interference from another nearby device, such as a microwave oven). In addition, the AirPlay connection can be interrupted when any of these devices go to sleep, so always keep them activated.

We hope this tutorial will help you configure and learn more about the AirPlay feature for iOS, macOS and tvOS! 😉