How Does AirPlay Work and What Devices Can Use It?
AirPlay is a wireless streaming protocol developed by Apple Inc. that allows users to stream digital audio and video content from their Apple device to another device, such as a speaker, TV, or sound system. It is a convenient way to share content from a device to a larger screen or speakers without having to physically connect cables.
How Does AirPlay Work?
AirPlay works by establishing a wireless connection between two devices, allowing one device to stream audio or video content to another. To use AirPlay, both the sending device and the receiving device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
For instance, if you want to stream music from your iPhone to a wireless speaker, you need to ensure that both your iPhone and the wireless speaker are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, you can select the speaker as the output device in the AirPlay menu and start streaming your music.
AirPlay can also allow you to stream audio and video content from your Mac or Apple TV to another device, such as a TV or sound system. With AirPlay Mirroring, you can even mirror the entire screen of your Mac or iOS device onto a larger screen.
What Devices Can Use AirPlay?
AirPlay is exclusive to Apple devices, meaning that to use AirPlay, you must have an Apple device running on iOS or macOS. Some of the popular devices that support AirPlay include:
· iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices that run on iOS 4.2 or later
· Mac computers running on MacOS Mountain Lion or later
· Apple Watch
· Apple TV
· Apple HomePod
AirPlay is also supported by some third-party devices and apps. Some sound systems, wireless speakers, and TVs from well-known brands such as Bose, Sony, and Samsung support AirPlay. Additionally, some music streaming apps such as Spotify and Tidal also support AirPlay playback.
Conclusion
AirPlay is a convenient way to stream audio and video content from your Apple device to another device such as a speaker or TV. It is easy to use, and both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay is exclusive to Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Apple Watches, Macs, Apple TV, and HomePod. Additionally, some third-party devices and apps also support AirPlay.