Several of our readers report that they’re unable to use AirPlay to connect iOS devices to a TV via Apple TV. This problem occurs when their iDevices , macs, or AppleTVs stop showing up under the AirPlay icon.
Contents
What you can AirPlay
- AirPlay photos and videos from any iOS device (using iOS 5 or later) to your 2nd generation or later AppleTV
- AirPlay music from any iOS device (using iOS 5 or later) to your Apple TV
- Some apps do not support AirPlay, so first check the app description or website for details on AirPlay support
AirPlay Requirements
- AirPlay Mirroring requires iOS 5 or later
- AppleTV must use version 5.0 or later software
- 2nd generation AppleTV required for photos and videos
How to Airplay on AppleTV
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Control Center and tap 
AirPlay Mirroring to find the list of available AirPlay devices, then select the AppleTV that you want to AirPlay to.
If an AirPlay passcode appears on your TV screen, enter the passcode on your iOS device.
And remember that your TV uses your iOS device’s screen orientation and aspect ratio. So to fill your TV screen with the mirrored iDevice’s screen, change your TV’s aspect ratio or zoom settings via the TV’s remote.
Stream from iTunes to Apple TV
- Connect your computer and your Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open iTunes on your computer
- To the right of the volume slider in iTunes, click
- This icon only appears when an AirPlay-enabled device is on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Click the Apple TV
icon
Has Your AppleTV Not Been Used in a While?
One reader reports that if your AppleTV unit is switched off for some time, like when you go on vacation or away for the holidays, it doesn’t boot up. Consequently, your Apple TV home screen doesn’t show up on your TV even when your AppleTV operating LED is on. And the AppleTV icon isn’t available via AirPlay or doesn’t show up in any of your menu bars on Macs, iDevices, or in iTunes.
For these situations, the tip that works is to unplug your AppleTV from power for at least 30 secs to reboot. Then reconnect your AppleTV to your TV via HDMI. Your AppleTV home screen appears and icon appears via Airplay on Macs and iDevices. So long term lack of use even if power LED is light, requires a hard reboot by pulling power plug to your AppleTV unit.
The Fixes for Apple TV: Missing AirPlay Icon
Try AirPlay after each step please and check if the issue is fixed. If not proceed to the next step.
Check For Obstructions
If a microwave, baby monitor, or other types of broadcasting devices are nearby they sometimes interfere with your AppleTV’s WiFi connection. So check this and if needed change positions of your products or your AppleTV.
Everything Up-To-Date?
- Make sure that all devices (iOS, macOS, and Apple TV) are up-to-date with their operating software and firmware
- Apple TVs
- Select Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software (4th gen)
- Settings > General > Update Software (3rd gen or earlier)
- iPhones, iPads, and other iDevices
- Settings > General > Software Update
- macOS computers
- Check the Mac App Store for updates.
- Click the download button and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade
- Check the Mac App Store for updates.
- Make sure that you running the latest version of iTunes
- Apple TVs
- Take a look at your WiFi router and see if any update is available for that too
Check Your Connections
- Connect to the same WiFi network on your iDevice or computer and your AppleTV
- If using Ethernet, connect both devices to the same router or hub
- If using both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, connect your AirPlay device to the same router that your computer uses for WiFi
Take a Look at AirPlay and Bluetooth Settings
- On AppleTV, Turn AirPlay off and on again
- Settings > Airplay
- Verify AirPlay is turned on
- Settings > Airplay
- Turn off Bluetooth off and on again for your iDevice or mac
- For iOS: Settings > General > Bluetooth
- For Mac: Go to System Preferences and select Bluetooth
Try Restarting and Resetting
- Restart everything
- iOS: press and hold the power button for a few seconds then slide the red slider
- macOS: go to Apple Logo and select Restart
- Apple TV
- Settings > System > Restart (4th gen
- Settings > General > Restart (3rd gen and earlier)
- OR Press and hold the Menu + Down buttons for minimum 6 seconds
- Your WiFi router
- Reset Everything
- iDevice
- On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons for at least ten seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
- On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for at least ten seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
- Apple TV: unplug your device from the power source for minimum thirty seconds, then plug it in again
- Your WiFi router (follow your manufacturer’s instructions)
- iDevice
Using Peer-to-Peer AirPlay?
If you use peer-to-peer AirPlay, all devices need to have BOTH WiFi and Bluetooth toggled ON. You don’t have to actually connect to WiFi router or actually pair via Bluetooth. But you must have both switched ON in your Control Center.
If your AppleTV and your iDevice/mac are on the same WiFi network, peer-to-peer mirroring will not work. They default to using the available WiFi network to AirPlay and AirPlay Mirror. So keep them OFF the same network!
Also peer-to-peer does not work with videos from YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, Showtime, Crackle. Facebook and BBC videos work as long as they are not YouTube links.
Peer-to-Peer also works for content that’s already on your iDevice or mac such as downloaded videos, pictures, presentations, or music that’s on your device’s storage.
Update your AppleTV automatically
Best practice is to let your AppleTV update automatically to ensure that the software and firmware is always up-to-date. Changing this one setting helps to AirPlay working on your AppleTV, with all your iDevices and computers.
On Apple TV (4th generation), go to Settings > System > Software Updates and turn on Automatically Update.
On Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), go to Settings > General > Update Software and turn on Update Automatically.
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