There are moments when beautiful pictures and memories are to be shared by friends and family, and we asked our guests, unsure of the answer. “Can you AirPlay without Wi-Fi?” Sharing media without the need for a Wi-Fi network has its own perks.
You can avoid sharing passwords with guests or the stress of entering long passwords. So, wouldn’t it be cool if one could AirPlay videos and pictures from any of your Apple devices to compatible screens without Wi-Fi? This article will provide answers to all related questions on sharing and duplicating media.
How To Use AirPlay Or Mirror Screen Without Wi-Fi?
There are moments when we would rather watch memories, stream videos, enjoy music, or see memorable moments with loved ones, or just alone, on larger screens than our iOS devices.
This greatly improves the experience, making it more memorable when viewed on a larger screen together with loved ones, or just enhances the personal experience.
The good news is, with the Apple AirPlay or Mirror Screen features, you can have this wonderful experience and be able to share media like images, music, or videos from your iOS devices to an Apple TV or any compatible TV. Isn’t that cool?
While AirPlay and Mirror Screen appear to provide similar functions, there is a difference between the two. Mirror Screen duplicates or mirrors stored content on your Apple device to an Apple TV or other compatible devices.
AirPlay, on the other hand, shares media and maintains the quality across shared devices like Apple TV. This includes content from the internet or other streaming applications like YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
Hence, the main difference to be found between AirPlay and Mirror Screen is the ability to stream and share with AirPlay and its absence in Mirror Screen. Apple users will need to store media on their iOS devices first before transferring.
Back to the original question, “Can I use AirPlay or Mirror Screen without Wi-Fi”? The answer is “yes” although, with AirPlay, you need to have the content saved already on your iOS device, then make use of peer-to-peer AirPlay.
And with Mirror Screen, your iOS device screen, alongside the content, can be duplicated on your Apple TV without needing Wi-Fi. This is so much cooler!
How can I use AirPlay or Mirror Screen without a Wi-Fi connection? To use the “Screen Mirroring” feature on iOS devices, the important step is going to your iPhone or iPad Control Center and selecting “Screen Mirroring”.
On the other hand, the AirPlay feature can be found on the bottom-left of your iPad or iPhone when viewing any media. While on your Mac, the AirPlay feature can be found in the top-right of the screen.
To establish a Mirror Screen or AirPlay connection to compatible TVs, all you need to do is follow this simple step-by-step guide that I will be highlighting below.
On your Mac, make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled. Enabling Wi-Fi doesn’t mean having an internet connection to a network, just a connection to the compatible TV. The next step is connecting your AirPlay to any compatible TV, like an Apple TV or AirPlay 2 compatible TV.
You can see compatible TVs by going to the AirPlay status menu, which is in your Mac’s top right corner. Choose your TV of choice, and then you can start sharing media.
On the other hand, if you are using either an iPhone or an iPad, you will also begin the AirPlay or Mirror Screen process by enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your device.
The next step is going to your device Control Center, which you can access by dragging down from your top-right and enabling “Screen Mirroring” or “AirPlay”.
After a successful Bluetooth scan, you should be able to find and select a compatible TV to either share or duplicate your screen with. You might be prompted to enter the TV code if there is a TV passcode.
Expert Tip: While setting up an AirPlay or Screen Mirroring connection, it is crucial to note iOS device compatibility with TV, iOS devices are mostly compatible with Apple TV or AirPlay 2 compatible TVs, and wouldn’t connect to just any smart TV.
So, when establishing a connection, either through AirPlay or Screen Mirroring, you have to make sure of the TV’s compatibility.
The subsequent discussion in this article will include detailed steps on how to set up AirPlay peer-to-peer AirPlay, screen mirroring, and screen mirroring using AirPlay on all iOS devices. So, be properly settled and continue to read on.
How to AirPlay to Apple TV
AirPlay to Apple TV is possible either through a proper AirPlay or peer-to-peer AirPlay. With AirPlay, a Wi-Fi connection is needed to stream media from streaming platforms to Apple TV.
On the other hand, a peer-to-peer AirPlay connection requires no Wi-Fi as you will be able to watch downloaded videos on Apple TV. It all depends on your choice, and I will be showing you how to go about and set up the two different approaches.
Apple peer-to-peer AirPlay is a great innovation, and I will be showing you why. With peer-to-peer, you can have AirPlay link to your Apple TV from your iOS device without needing to connect to the same Wi-Fi network. You don’t even need any Wi-Fi network at all.
Guests also don’t need your Wi-Fi password, which you can protect and also save people from entering what might be a long password. Isn’t that cool?
Here is how peer-to-peer AirPlay works. It makes use of Bluetooth connectivity for queries. If the query shows the Apple TV or any compatible TV, it creates a point-to-point Wi-Fi connection for media transfer, without the need for a Wi-Fi network or internet access.
All you will need is the media content already saved on your iOS device. This share option is great for vacation memories, birthdays, weddings, or children’s pictures or videos already saved on Apple devices.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up peer-to-peer AirPlay on Apple TV without Wi-Fi:
- Step 1: Forget any available Wi-Fi networks on your iOS device.
- Step 2: Repeat the same step on your Apple TV. and forget any available Wi-Fi networks.
- Step 3: Turn on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iOS device and Apple TV.
- Step 4: Restart your Apple device and Apple TV.
- Step 5: Connect your iOS device to Apple TV.
- Step 6: For iPhone or iPad users, go to the Control Center and connect to AirPlay.
- Step 7: Mac users can select Apple TV from the AirPlay status menu towards the upper-right of the Mac menu.
- Step 8: Enter the AirPlay code if it requests it.
The above step is how you can easily set up your iOS device to connect to Apple TV using peer-to-peer AirPlay. However, if you would rather AirPlay to Apple TV while connected to Wi-Fi and able to stream online videos, there is a simple step to follow.
- Step 1: Make sure your Apple TV and iOS device are on the same Wi-Fi network. This ensures the connection.
- Step 2: If you wish to share a video on Apple TV, select the AirPlay option in the video’s corner.
- Step 3: If you wish to share pictures on your Apple TV, select “Share” on the bottom-left of your device.
- Step 4: After selecting “Share”, click on “AirPlay.”
- Step 5: Select Apple TV.
- Step 6: If you wish to stop streaming, go back and select AirPlay, and click on your Apple device in the list.
How to AirPlay off an iPhone
Apple’s AirPlay function allows users to share or stream media on all iOS devices, including the iPhone, to an Apple TV or any other compatible device. Using this feature is very easy and seamless on your iPhone which will be shown below.
The first step is to ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are active on the iPhone. You can do this in the Control Center by dragging it down from the upper-right of your iPhone.
Another method of enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iPhone is going to the settings menu, although it is not as fast as using the Control Center. It is essential both connectivities are enabled so as to establish the AirPlay connection.
You might ask, “Why do I need to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on my device?” The simple answer is that the initial connection to AirPlay is established with Bluetooth, while the video stream is only possible and transferred through the Wi-Fi network.
The next step in establishing a connection to an Apple TV or other compatible TV through AirPlay on your iPhone is by tapping the AirPlay icon. If you wish to share videos or music on your iPhone or video or music streams from streaming platforms, you can tap on the AirPlay icon.
If there is an AirPlay compatible TV nearby, you will be connected and able to share on a larger screen.
On the other hand, if you wish to share pictures through AirPlay to an Apple TV or any compatible device, you will still need to select the AirPlay option. This method isn’t as direct as sharing videos but is easy nonetheless.
On the bottom-left of the picture in question, you will find the “Share” menu. You will select “Share”, then click on “AirPlay” from the list of options. You should be able to share that beautiful picture of your son or daughter with happy and excited friends and family.
How to Mirror your iPhone Screen using AirPlay?
Mirroring your iPhone screen can be done through peer-to-peer AirPlay without the need for a direct Wi-Fi connection. The only drawback to screen mirroring is, that you won’t be able to share streaming videos or music on AirPlay. The media will have to be saved on your iPhone’s local storage.
Expert Tip: The first and most important step in mirroring the screen is ensuring that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are activated to establish a connection. The Bluetooth connection is required to make the initial connection, and the Wi-Fi for the screen mirroring.
After activating both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, these steps can be followed to mirror your iPhone screen to any compatible TV using AirPlay.
- Step 1: Open the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the upper right of your device.
- Step 2: Click on “Screen Mirroring”, an overlapping rectangle icon.
- Step 3: Select from the available compatible device, either Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible TV.
- Step 4: Enter the code on your iPhone if the TV has a passcode.
These are the steps to successfully mirroring your iPhone to an Apple TV using AirPlay. If you are done sharing, you can go back to the Control Center, select “Screen Mirroring” and select “Stop Mirroring.”
It is important to note once again that Screen Mirroring only duplicates the screen and doesn’t work for live streaming. Hence, you have to download the media and save it on your iPhone’s storage, then duplicate it on your TV.
How to Mirror your MacBook Screen using AirPlay
Mirroring your Mac to an Apple TV AirPlay 2 compatible TV, or any compatible TV is easy. First, you need to make sure AirPlay is enabled on your Mac. By following this short step, you can enable it.
- Step 1: On the top-left of your Mac screen, click on the Apple icon in the menu bar.
- Step 2: Click on “System Preferences”.
- Step 3: Select “Displays”.
- Step 4: Select “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available.”
After enabling AirPlay, you will be able to find the button in the menu bar. The next step in mirroring your Mac screen includes:
- Step 1: In the top-right corner of your Mac’s screen, in the menu bar, select the AirPlay button.
- Step 2: Choose the compatible TV you want to mirror your Mac too.
- Step 3: Enter the TV passcode on your Mac if prompted.
- Step 4: Your TV should be mirroring your Mac’s screen by now.
- Step 5: You can adjust the display proportion and choose the option that best fits your purpose.
- Step 6: You can adjust the display proportion by clicking on the AirPlay icon in the menu bar on your Mac.
These are the simple steps to mirroring your Mac on any compatible TV. You could do it with one eye closed. That is how easy it is.
If you wish to turn off screen mirroring and stop duplicating, select the AirPlay button once more, and select “Turn AirPlay off.” This will end the duplicating session, and you can go about using your Mac for other purposes.
Screen Mirroring isn’t the only method for sharing content from your Mac to Apple TV. Another way to show your Mac’s contents is through peer-to-peer AirPlay, which I have highlighted the steps already, and it’s really easy to set up.
Do You Need Wi-Fi for AirPlay?
The major difference between mirroring your screen and using AirPlay is that with AirPlay contents are streamed seamlessly, while Screen Mirroring merely duplicates your screen’s contents on a larger device like a TV.
Peer-to-peer AirPlay is also somewhat similar to Screen Mirroring because they both do not require Wi-Fi networks.
The answer to the question, “Does AirPlay need Wi-Fi?’ is yes. Wi-Fi with an internet connection is required to stream content from platforms like YouTube, Apple Music, etc. Without Wi-Fi, streaming is impossible, and consequently, there is no AirPlay for Apple TV.
However, if the content is saved already on your iOS local storage, without the need for streaming, then you do not need Wi-Fi. You can make use of peer-to-peer AirPlay or Screen Mirroring.
Troubleshooting AirPlay on Apple TV
Establishing a connection between your iOS device and Apple TV might not always be a smooth experience. The good news is that I have come up with a list of possible solutions to help you troubleshoot any difficulties.
Here is a list of instructions to follow if you face challenges while connecting your iOS device to an Apple TV.
- Restart your Apple TV and device. It sounds simple, but the solution could just mean restarting your devices.
- Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are activated on your iOS device.
- Enable Bluetooth on your Apple TV.
- Forget Wi-Fi networks.
- On your Apple TV, activate AirPlay. You need to turn on “Require Device Verification”. You can go to settings and select AirPlay to activate it.
- Upgrade your iOS devices and Apple TV to the most recent operating system (OS).
- Restoring factory settings on your Apple TV.
- Ensure you select Apple TV mirroring from the control panel on your iOS system.
Conclusion
AirPlay allows Apple users to stream media content to larger, compatible devices like Apple TV. This means a Wi-Fi connection is required, unlike with Mirror Screen or peer-to-peer AirPlay. Screen mirroring duplicates the iOS device screen and shares media stored on the iOS device’s local storage.
Similarly, peer-to-peer AirPlay shares media already saved on the iOS device’s storage without needing a Wi-Fi connection. So, having a guest over doesn’t mean sharing your Wi-Fi passwords before sharing memorable events or videos with you.
With either AirPlay, peer-to-peer, or Screen Mirroring, you are bound to have a great sharing experience.