For the first time, the airplay function or “screen repeat” appeared on iPhones and other Apple products at the end of 2010. Today, the ability to play files is a standard task for wireless acoustic equipment. The reason for this phenomenon was the unshakable popularity of Apple, which is growing from year to year.
What is airplay and how does the technology work?
Before you start using the airplay function, you need to figure out what screen mirroring is on an iPhone. So, airplay is a technology for transferring media files over a local network, without the use of wires and cables, between Apple products and third-party compatible devices. How apple airplay works is as follows:
- the acoustic device is connected to the WiFi network;
- the sound source is reflected (for example, iPhone mobile device);
- the user launches the desired file.
Since the function works wirelessly, the owner may be in another room. The iphone screen mirroring technology was developed in 2010. The technology replaced AirTunes, the functionality of which was limited only to the transfer of audio files, while it was closed. The advent of the “updated version” of AirTunes made it possible to pair with equipment from other manufacturers. At the same time, in comparison with the sound transmitted via Bluetooth, users note the better sound quality through airplay. The concept of “mirroring” the screen means duplicating the screen on gadgets with iOS software on fitting devices with AirPlay support. This feature will allow you to broadcast video and audio files, but there is a prohibition that restricts the transfer of files in order to protect copyrights. For example, When you turn on the screen with Apple Music, only the touch window will appear on the screen of the paired device. In the control center, on the Now Playing widget, which is located on the right of the display that opens, you must click on the wireless playback icon. The button is pressed until the list of available devices – receivers appears on the screen. The next step is to select the desired option. The smartphone will automatically start playback on the selected media. The next step is to select the desired option. The smartphone will automatically start playback on the selected media. The next step is to select the desired option. The smartphone will automatically start playback on the selected media.
Apple AirPlay – connection to Samsung TV:
https://youtu.be/k50zEy6gUSE
AirPlay 2 – distinguishing features
Apple developers introduced an updated version of AirPlay at WWDC 2017. Despite the fact that AirPlay 2 features were planned to be added in iOS 11 edition 116, the market saw an update to the familiar screen mirroring only in 2018. The main feature of airplay 2, and at the same time the difference from the previous version, was the multiroom mode support function. Thanks to the update, users have the opportunity to use multiple devices to play music.
Supports the upgraded version of iPhone 5S, iPhone SE and later. For iPad, these are iPad mini 2, 3, 4, iPad Air, 2 and later, and the sixth generation iPod touch. To summarize, all devices that were released no more than 7 years ago.
Multiroom mode means simultaneous broadcasting of sound to several Apple TVs, which can be located in different rooms. This also applies to HomePod speakers, or HomePod and Apple TV. Moreover, the combinations may vary depending on the preferences of the user and the devices available to him. The developers have taken care of the ease of use – you can control the broadcast of files on different gadgets, adjust the playback volume settings separately for each object from the Home application. Thus, the owner has the opportunity to configure the entire audio system, each component is interconnected with the rest, since Apple does not give restrictions on the choice of devices. The update has a new playlist, which can be accessed by any user, which is convenient at events and parties. Music is played in sequence. The ability to pair with a smart home allows you to simultaneously connect music and, for example, smart light bulbs. A timer is available to set up automatic playback. This is useful if there is a need to create the appearance of the presence of people in the house.
Multiroom mode implies simultaneous broadcasting of sound to several Apple devices [/ caption]
airplay compatible, which devices support
On the modern market, you can find many options for wireless speaker stations, while manufacturers offer to purchase a product that is the embodiment of technological progress. The ability to view content from Apple devices on third-party devices is available through the AirPlay function. A prerequisite for establishing compatibility is connecting to a single Wi-Fi network. This means that the connection range is limited by the coverage of the local network – you will not be able to turn on a file from another city to your home audio system. Depending on which device the file originates from and which it receives, compatible devices are divided into two categories: senders and receivers. The first group includes:
- Computers with iTunes installed.
- On iPhone, iPad, and iPod products with iOS 4.2 and later.
- Apple TV
- Mac PC with macOS Mountain Lion and later.
Receivers include:
- Air Port Express.
- Apple TV.
- Apple HomePod.
- Any third-party AirPlay-enabled device.
Connection will take no more than 10 minutes, the user will only need to make a couple of clicks on the smartphone.
How to turn on AirPlay
It is important to understand that such a powerful tool as AirPlay exposes its functionality differently on macOS and iOS. In order to start mirroring the screen of an iPhone or iPad, you need to open the Control Center. The screen mirroring option is selected, which will be located on the left side. The next available device will be displayed in the window that appears. This is where the broadcast stops.
If you need to display information from the Mac screen to Apple TV via AirPlay, then system settings, iTunes or QuickTime open. AirPlay is selected in the menu section. On macOS Big Sur and later, the easiest way to start screen mirroring is from the Control Center icon. In order to output material from an iPhone or iPad to a Windows computer, you will need to “bypass” Apple developers, since it is impossible to use a third-party device as a receiver. If necessary, you can duplicate the screen on Windows or Android TV, you will have to use third-party utilities, for example, AirServer (https://apps.apple.com/en/app/airserver-connect/id967004087) or Reflector (https://play.google .com/store/apps/details?id=com.squirrels.reflector&hl=ru&gl=US). These applications are not free and you will have to pay about $20. In some cases, it is possible to issue free use for several weeks. How to enable AirPlay – video instruction: https://youtu.be/dflSAvx6I6c
Airplay on TV
As practice shows, the easiest and fastest way to connect an iPhone to Smart-TV comes down to setting up a WiFi connection, that is, via AirPlay. No wires are required to establish pairing, only a local network. When synchronizing airplay and TV Samsung, LG, Sony, you only need to pre-install a special application on both gadgets, namely the AllShare utility. The application is among the utilities provided by Smart-TV. After downloading the application, the user can take control of the smart TV display, which is required to broadcast media files that are on the smartphone.
Possible problems and solutions
The main problem that users have is the lack of broadcast or file playback, which appears due to the lack or disruption of the connection between devices. The first thing to do if you can’t seamlessly transfer content using AirPlay is to make sure the devices are turned on and close to each other (connected to the same network). If this does not help, then it is worth restarting both gadgets. If the restart did not lead to the expected result, then you need to check in the settings for a suitable update. The wireless WiFi connection is in the 2.4 GHz band, which is also used by other equipment – many devices with Bluetooth, some of the systems that are part of the so-called “smart home”. So, If you turn on your Sonos speaker system and your AirPlay-enabled WiFi-based speaker at the same time, interference cannot be ruled out. Music playback may be paused if Siri is performing multiple tasks at the same time. If the sound is completely absent, then it must be checked in the settings system (check the status of the silent mode). If the source of the problem could not be identified on its own, Apple Support will answer all questions.
Other features of Airplay
In addition to the main function – broadcasting video files and mirroring the screen on iPhone, Apple TV and other devices, there are third-party AirPlay features, which include:
- Use the Siri voice assistant to play files and control playback of a recording or broadcast.
- Stream music, podcasts, and other content to Apple TV , HomePod, and other playback systems that support Airplay.
- For ease of use, the user can immediately add compatible playback centers and TVs to the Home application .
- To eliminate the issues that arose when working with devices, the developers have prepared detailed instructions (https://support.apple.com/ru-ru/HT204289).
Thus, Airplay technology developed by Apple Corporation is another leap in the world of technology. The main task of wireless file playback is to facilitate the operation process, the use of a smart home system. Thanks to Airplay, choosing movies and listening to audio files has become an order of magnitude easier.
