How to use Airplay (screen projection) on a Mac

What is AirPlay?

AirPlay is an exclusive wireless multimedia streaming protocol developed and equipped by Apple on its own products. AirPlay allows Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones and iPads to transmit audio and video signals over the local internet to other AirPlay-compatible receivers without the need for a cable connection. concatenation. It is similar to how Miracast and Chromecast work on Windows and Android devices.

One of the most useful features of AirPlay is that you can use it to share (project) the screen of your Mac on another display device. However, as said to do this, it is imperative that the receiver is also AirPlay compatible and connected to the same local network as your Mac. For example, if you want to project the screen of your Mac on a smart TV, the TV must also support AirPlay and be connected to the same internet network as your Mac.

How to use Airplay screen sharing on macOS 11 Big Sur or later

To share your screen using AirPlay on a Mac running macOS 11 Big Sur or later, first click the Control Center icon located in the upper right corner of the screen (in the menu bar). As below screenshot shown.

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When the Control Center window appears, click ' Screen Mirroring '.

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Next, you'll see a list of available AirPlay compatible devices that your Mac has detected on your local network. Click one of them to start screen sharing.

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It will take a few seconds to establish the connection, and you will see the Screen Mirroring icon in the menu bar turn blue when the connection is successfully established.

To see the connection status or to ' Use As Separate Display ' (use as a separate screen), simply click the Screen Mirroring icon. This mode will treat the AirPlay screen as if the second monitor is connected to your Mac.

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To disconnect and stop screen sharing, click the Screen Mirroring icon (or tap ' Screen Mirroring ' in Control Center ) and click on the receiver's name with the icon highlighted in blue.

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You can also control screen sharing in System Preferences using Displays> AirPlay menu .

How to use screen sharing airplay on macOS 10.15 Catalina and earlier

First, look for the AirPlay icon on the menu bar at the top edge of the screen, as shown below.

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If you don't see the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, navigate to System Preferences> Displays and check the option ' Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available '.

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Next, close System Preferences and click the AirPlay icon on your menu bar. Select the device you want to share your screen with from the menu that appears.

(If the device that you want to project the screen to is not listed, make sure that both the Mac and the receiving device are connected to the same Wi-Fi hotspot or local network.)

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Once the connection is established successfully, the AirPlay icon in your menu bar will turn blue. Click this icon to check the status of the AirPlay connection. You can also change the screen sharing mode from mirroring to ' Use As Separate Display ' - use the AirPlay display as a second monitor.

To disconnect, click on ' Stop AirPlay '.

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Marvin Fry

Update 02 May 2021