How to AirPlay from Mac to Smart TV

AirPlay is a great feature that allows you to stream or share content from your Apple devices to your Apple TV, AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs, or any compatible devices. The coolest part is that you can now use AirPlay to cast from your Mac to your TV with some simple steps. 

The ability to stream from Mac to a compatible TV has been around since the day of macOS Big Sur, providing Mac owners with the perfect way to enjoy their content on a big screen. This tutorial will include step-by-step instructions on how to AirPlay from Mac to a smart TV. Before we begin, make sure your Mac is now running macOS Big Sur or later. 

How to AirPlay From a Mac to TV

To AirPlay from a Mac to a smart TV, you first need to turn on AirPlay on your machine. From the menu bar at the top, select the AirPlay status icon, then select the Apple TV or any AirPlay-compatible TV from the list under the AirPlay To section.

Alternatively, head to the Control Center on your Mac, then select Screen Mirroring, and choose your TV’s name from the list. You can also mirror the audio to an external speaker by clicking on the AirPlay audio icon and selecting your speaker from the list. 

How to Cast from Mac to TV using AirPlay

Once AirPlay is turned on, you can now stream or share content across AirPlay-enabled devices. You can follow our steps below. 

Step 1: Click on the blue AirPlay status icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then select your TV from the list of mirroring options.

Step 2: The content will be mirrored to your TV and match your TV’s display size. You can also change the mirroring input to your Mac’s built-in display. To do it, click on the Mirror Built-in + Your Mac’s display name.

Step 3: To share content from a specific app or video on Mac, hit the AirPlay icon and select your smart TV from the list. Make sure that your apps or videos support AirPlay streaming. 

Do I Need An Apple TV to enable AirPlay screen mirroring?

The answer is No. Apple now allows you to enable AirPlay screen mirroring or audio casting from a Mac to a non-Apple device. However, you will need to make sure your TV is AirPlay-compatible. Several smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio come preloaded with AirPlay functionality. 

Note that your smart TV and Mac need to be connected to the same wireless network for AirPlay to work. Also, update your TV software before proceeding with the connection. A new update usually has fixes for software-related issues, so make sure you are up to date. 

Can I AirPlay from a Mac to a Fire TV?

Yes, you can cast your content from a Mac to a Fire TV. All you need to do is download an app called AirScreen on your Fire Stick. After that, select your Fire Stick from the AirPlay drop-down list on your Mac. 

AirPlay Not Working on My TV?

While most TVs are compatible with AirPlay, some annoying issues may ruin your experience. Many users have reported that AirPlay is sometimes not working on their LG TVs, thus preventing them from casting content from their Apple devices to the TVs. 

Rest assured if you are one of those users the problem has touched. We have possible fixes below. 

Enable AirPlay: Make sure AirPlay is now enabled on your TV. It’s hard to tell if you have activated AirPlay as there is no visual indicator, while it’s probably disabled through a software update. 

Restart your IOS device: If AirPlay is now on, but it’s still not working. Try restarting your iPhone or Mac. A restart may fix many software-related issues, thus getting AirPlay to work correctly. 

Remove AirPlay Devices and Re-Connect: Try removing all AirPlay devices paired with your TV and repairing them. Head to your TV’s AirPlay Settings, and you should see the option. 

Factory Reset Your TV’s firmware: Perform a factory reset if nothing works. The steps. The steps may vary depending on the LG TV model you are using. For most LG TVs, open Settings > General > reset to default settings. Doing so will reset all of your settings back to the factory state, meaning you need to set up the whole thing from scratch. 

The Bottom Line

Apple AirPlay is one of the best additions to the company’s ecosystem. It allows a cross-compatibility between platforms. You can now stream or share your content from any Apple device to any compatible TV, which is excellent for a family gathering.