What AirPlay is
AirPlay is Apple's wireless technology for sending audio, video, photos, and your whole screen from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to another device, such as a TV or a speaker. Instead of plugging in a cable, you choose a nearby AirPlay receiver from a menu and playback moves there. It began in 2004 as AirTunes, a way to stream music, and was renamed AirPlay in 2010 when video support arrived.
How it works
AirPlay works over your local Wi-Fi network, so the sending device and the receiver normally need to be on the same network. When you start streaming, the content goes to the receiver, which plays it while your phone or computer acts as the remote control. For many streaming apps, the receiver fetches the video directly from the internet, so your phone stays free for other things or can even be locked.
Streaming versus mirroring
AirPlay can be used in two ways. Streaming sends a specific piece of content, such as a song or a movie, to the receiver. Mirroring copies everything on your screen to the TV in real time, which is useful for presentations, showing photos to a group, or playing games on a bigger display. Mirroring uses more of your device's resources because it is constantly sending the live screen.
What AirPlay 2 added
AirPlay 2, introduced in 2018, added multiroom audio, letting you play the same song on several speakers in different rooms at once or different music in each room. It also improved buffering for more reliable playback and brought integration with Siri and the Home app, so you can ask for music in a particular room. Many TVs and speakers from other brands now include AirPlay 2 support.
Compatible devices and tips
Receivers include Apple TV, HomePod, and many third-party smart TVs, soundbars, and speakers that list AirPlay support. If a device does not appear in the AirPlay menu, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the receiver is switched on and up to date. For the smoothest video, a strong Wi-Fi signal near the TV makes a noticeable difference, especially when mirroring.
The bottom line
AirPlay makes it simple to move what you are watching or listening to from an Apple device onto a bigger screen or better speakers, with no cables involved. Streaming suits music and movies, mirroring suits sharing your whole screen, and AirPlay 2 extends the idea across rooms. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right option every time and get the most reliable playback.
Related on Skillo
See also: What is iOS? Explained, What is Siri? Explained.
Sources
Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-23). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.
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