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How to activate Apple’s Airplay tool

Airplay is Apple’s content-sharing tool.

It allows different devices to connect to each other to play multimedia material from one to the other, sending the signal through the Wi-Fi network and thus allowing to bring photos, videos, or music from one terminal to another, the latter acting as a screen that replicates what the first one displays.

It can be used for presentations, to play video from a phone on a TV, or even turn it into a music player if desired.

On Mac computers, Airplay can also be used to dock another screen and have another desktop to work with or to do all the things that can also be done with iPhone phones.

Don’t know how to activate Airplay?

If you have doubts about the procedure, in this guide we go through step by step what to do with each device.

We explain everything you need to do not only on iPhone or Mac, but we also present you a solution to use Airplay on Android, even though this does not have official support for it.

Steps to activate the Airplay software

We are going to explain to you all the steps to set up Airplay on both Android and iOS.

On Mac

On Mac there is not much to do when it comes to enabling and using Airplay.

Pay attention & follow each step that we point out:

  • With your Mac turned on and the system started, make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi wireless network.
  • Similarly, you should check that the device you are sending content to is also on the same network.
  • Now, open the program you want to stream. Make sure that it supports Airplay, otherwise you will not be able to continue.
  • Once inside, go to the available controls and look for an icon containing a box and an arrow, as it is the Airplay icon. You have to click on it.
  • After this, a list of connected and available devices will appear. Choose the one you want to send the signal to and you are done activating and using this tool.

If you prefer, you can duplicate or even extend your Mac screen to an Airplay compatible device.

Just go to the top bar of the main window and click the icon of this tool, then choose the target device and decide what you want to do.

You can mirror from your computer to your TV, vice versa, or even share a screen between the two to have more space.

On iPhone

The steps to activate Airplay on an iPhone are quite simple.

Please follow the instructions below:

  • First of all, check that the Wi-Fi connection on your device is active. Go into Settings and look at the Wi-Fi field to check it.
  • Now make sure that the device you want to stream to is also connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. Otherwise, this tool will not work.
  • Now, choose the app whose content you want to send to the other device. When it is playing, click on the icon containing a box with an arrow (AirPlay).
    • If you wish, you can also duplicate your screen on the other device. To do this, start by opening the Control Center on your iPhone.
    • Slide your finger from the bottom to the top and it will appear.
    • Press the arrowed box icon to enter the Airplay menu.
    • Choose the device to which you want to send everything that appears on the phone screen.
    • If a code appears on the target screen, enter it in the field that now appears on your device.
    • That’s it!
  • Then choose the device to which you want to send the signal and you are finished.

On Android

On Android, there is no native support for Airplay, but you can enable it using a third-party app.

Follow these steps and you can do it:

  • Download the latest Kodi Android version from Google Play, or
  • Go to Google Play Store by clicking on its icon.
  • Once inside, search for the Kodi app.
  • Go to the search engine, type its name and click on the first result that appears.
  • Download the application by clicking on the Install button and wait for the process to finish.
  • Now, open the Kodi app.
  • When you are inside, you must go to Settings.
  • Go to the Network section and click on it.
  • Now find the AirPlay field and click on it to modify its parameters.
  • In the right area, activate the Enable AirPlay support option.
  • Now, just go to the Mac or iPhone you have and also activate AirPlay. When it comes to recognizing devices, one called “Kodi (localhost)” will appear. Click on it and you will transmit the signal to the Android terminal with Kodi open.

NOTE: The problem with this method is that it is only for playing sound. There is no support for video or image sharing.

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