What is Airplay on iPhone and How to Properly Use It?

What is AirPlay on iPhone? AirPlay makes it easy to stream different media content from one iPhone to another screen wirelessly. This post will explore AirPlay functions with you.

What is AirPlay?

AirPlay is a proprietary protocol suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows wireless streaming between devices, especially streaming from a device with a smaller screen to a bigger one. AirPlay was originally implemented only in Apple’s software and devices, since Apple is getting more and more popular, most brands now have made their smart TV with built-in AirPlay feature.

Apple introduced its AirTunes as a new feature of iTunes in 2004, meant to send music directly to an AirPort Express via Wi-Fi network, in order to play them with speakers. In 2010, iOS 4.2 was released and supports video streaming to Apple TVs, and this feature was named AirPlay. Finally, after several years of iterations, AirPlay has become one of the most popular screen mirroring and streaming feature for Apple TVs and most of third-party smart TVs.

How to Do AirPlay?

Knowing what is AirPlay, now you must be thinking how to do AirPlay. For living room entertainment, AirPlay can be convenient for stream photos or videos and screen mirroring from iPhone to TV.

Stream Photos or Videos from iPhone to TV

Using AirPlay, you can effortlessly stream photos or videos from your iPhone to a Mac or TV. This functionality is perfect for sharing your favorite moments with friends and family on a larger screen. Here’s how to connect AirPlay to TV:

Step 1. Ensure your iPhone and the TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Open the photo album on your iPhone.

Step 3. Select the photo or video you want to share.

Step 4. Tap the Share button (a square with an upward arrow).

Step 5. Select AirPlay and choose your target device from the list.

Screen Mirror Your iPhone on a TV

AirPlay also allows you to mirror your iPhone’s screen on a Mac or TV, enabling you to display exactly what you see on your iPhone on a larger screen. This is particularly useful for presentations, gaming, or viewing apps that don’t support AirPlay directly. To mirror your iPhone:

Step 1. Ensure both your iPhone and the Mac or TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center.

Step 3. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon.

Step 4. Select your Mac or TV from the list.

Android Solution: Smart TV Cast App

You might wonder, can an Android smart phone also use AirPlay? The answer is NO. As I mentioned above, AirPlay is developed by Apple, so it isn’t compatible with Android devices naturally. As an alternative to screen mirroring, you can try the Smart TV Cast app.

Developed by BoostVision Technology, the Smart TV Cast app can stream Android devices to TV as easily as AirPlay does. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1. Make sure your smart phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Step 2. Download and install the Smart TV Cast App from the Google Play Store.

Step 3. Open the app and click the Connect icon.

Step 4. Choose the TV from the detected devices list, enter the PIN code if necessary.

Step 5. After connection, click the Screen Mirror button on the home screen.

Step 6. Set mirroring parameters and click the Start Mirroring button.

Conclusion

What is airplay on an iPhone is now fully answered. AirPlay can profoundly enhance your multimedia experience by allowing you to stream photos, videos, and audio, as well as mirror your screen to a compatible TV. Whether you’re showing off your latest vacation photos, watching a movie, or enjoying music through a superior sound system, AirPlay makes it easy and convenient. Additionally, if you want to achieve the same goal on an Android smart phone, you can complete the task by using Smart TV Cast app.

What is Airplay on iPhone FAQ

Q: Is screen mirroring the same as AirPlay?

No. Screen mirroring is a general term to define projecting content from a smaller screen to a larger screen, and AirPlay is one method to achieve it. AirPlay is a standard of data transmission that allow you to transmit data through Wi-Fi, which includes sending media data to TV.

Q: How do I use AirPlay on my iPhone?

To use AirPlay on your iPhone, you need to make sure you have the AirPlay feature compatible with your devices, and you have turned it on.

1. Make sure your iPhone and the target device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen
3. Tap on Screen Mirroring or the AirPlay icon, and select your target device from the list.
4. Enter the PIN code that appears on the TV screen.

Q: What is the purpose of AirPlay?

The purpose of AirPlay is to provide a seamless way to wirelessly stream content from your Apple devices to other compatible devices. This includes streaming audio and video, mirroring your screen, and sharing photos, thereby enhancing your multimedia experience.