Best Airplay Mirroring Software Mac

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A quick web search reveals a decent amount of programs claiming to fulfill the lack of AirPlay in Windows. Unfortunately, free software and apps were cut from the list due to their inability to function without considerable tweaking and general time-wasting. Remaining after the purge were the following AirPlay alternatives we deemed as the best:

Mirror your desktop using AirPlay Mirroring. Click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, then choose your Apple TV. When an AirPlay display is active, the icon turns blue. In some cases, you can use an AirPlay display even if your MacBook Air isn’t on the same Wi-Fi network as Apple TV (called peer-to-peer AirPlay).To use peer-to-peer AirPlay, you need an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model. Jul 11, 2012  If your Mac wasn't made in the last year and a half, you won't be able to do this. With OS X Mountain Lion, AirPlay Mirroring is finally coming to the Mac, allowing some Macs to stream audio.

AirServer

AirServer uses Miracast/Wi-Di technology to mirror screens across devices. This means that if you have a relatively new Windows product supporting Miracast, like a Lumia 930 or a Surface Pro 3, you will be able to stream to any PC with AirServer installed. AirServer is also compatible with AirPlay and Miracast-enabled Android devices, meaning you can share mirror screens across multiples platforms. Because a lot of new Windows PCs are Miracast-enabled, you can mirror screens between PCs.

Unique to AirServer is the ability to stream more than one device to your receiver. This allows you to keep track of multiple screens without switching between devices. Gamers will love that you can stream game footage from mobile device to PC and use AirServer to record every moment.

AirServer is available for Windows 7 and later.

Squirrels AirParrot 2

If you're a stickler for quality, AirParrot 2 can stream media files in 5.1 surround sound without quality loss. AirParrot is capable of streaming to any AirPlay devices, Chromecast devices, or PCs running Squirrels Reflector 2.

AirParrot 2 gives you the option to open a video or audio file on another compatible device while doing something completely different on the sending device. For example, stream a movie from PC to Apple TV while you continue to browse the web.

AirParrot is available for Windows Vista and later.

Squirrels Reflector 2

Reflector 2 is basically the second piece of software you need to fully utilize AirParrot 2. With Reflector, your PC becomes a receiver for streaming content from any Windows 7 or later PC with AirParrot 2 installed. Reflector 2 can also receive streaming content from almost all Apple products and most Android devices — a full list is available here. Unfortunately, Windows Mobile devices are not supported.

Reflector 2 lets you record any content streamed to it and lets you broadcast live over YouTube. This is a fantastic utility for teachers who want to stream lessons to absent students or for gamers who want to show off their skills live. Additionally, Reflector 2 will stream webcam video over YouTube live broadcasts.

Reflector 2 is available for download from the Squirrels website.

Using Airplay On Mac

Honorable mention: Tubecast

Tubecast is a Windows and Windows Mobile app that lets you cast YouTube videos to most modern devices, including smart TVs, XBox 360, XBox One, Chromecast, AppleTV, Roku, and PS4.

Downside? No screen mirroring is available because it is a YouTube-based app, grounding Tubecast as an honorable mention.

Tubecast is available for Windows 8.1 and later, Windows Phone 8 and 8.1, and Windows 10 Mobile

Your favorite?

Let us know in the comments section below what you use in lieu of AirPlay!

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By Gina Barrow, Last updated: August 27, 2019

Are you fond of using Airplay across your iOS devices? Because why not?! You can smoothly share music, photos, movies, and videos from any iOS device to supported speakers, Smart TVs, and of course, Apple TV.

However, most users reported issues with Airplay on Mac. So today, we will fix Airplay not showing on Mac problem and get the most of your sweet Apple features.

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Part 1. What Are The Requirements Needed to Use Airplay?

Are you excited to watch movies on your Apple TV but then your Airplay is not seen anywhere on your Mac? There may be some blockages that you need to remove in order to use it smoothly.

Airplay not showing on Mac is a common issue that most users experience. There could be a lot of potential reasons as to why this is happening. Don’t worry; we have compiled all the solutions that could possibly fix this problem.

Device Compatibility

Airplay works best on most recent iOS devices and software versions. First, you need to make sure that your Mac supports Airplay. Older Macs cannot stream Airplay videos due to some mirroring restrictions.

Only Macs from 2011 and recent are able to support Airplay streaming and only 2nd-gen or later Apple TVs. To check what Mac you own and operating system you use, click the Apple icon and go to 'About this Mac' and choose the 'More Info' button.

Here are the complete requirements for streaming Airplay:

  • Sender and receiver devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network
  • Airplay receivers such as Apple TV, Smart TVs/HDTV, XMBC, Reflector, and more
  • iPhone, iPod, and iPod Touch with iOS 7 or later
Best Airplay Mirroring Software Mac

Part 2. How to Turn on Airplay on Mac

Airplay works by streaming media files wirelessly across compatible devices over the same network. One of the popular uses of Airplay is to mirror whatever you are watching or listening on your Mac down to an Apple TV or any smart home TVs or app-powered.

You simply need to connect both devices and start watching your favorite series.

To turn on Airplay on the Apple TV:

  1. Open Settings on Apple TV
  2. Select Airplay
  3. Toggle it on

How to use Airplay on Mac:

  1. Find and click the Airplay icon located at the right side of Mac’s menu bar
  2. Select the preferred mirroring option.

You can choose from Mirror Built-in Display, this will mirror Mac’s resolution exactly. Next option is, Mirror Apple TV which will match the resolution of your television and lastly, you can select Use as Separate Display, this will extend the desktop and appear as an additional display.

Part 3. How to Fix Airplay not showing on Mac

If you have met the basic requirements to use Airplay and still it is not showing on your Mac, here are some quick fixes you can try:

Check for Updates

If you are unable to connect both devices, check to see if both devices have the latest software update.

To Update Apple TV:

  1. First, you need to go to Settings and click on Software Update under System
  2. Click Software update. If there is an available update, click on Download and Install.

Wait until the update is completed. Do not disconnect or unplug the Apple TV while the update is ongoing.

To Update Mac:

  1. Go to System Preferences and click the Software update.
  2. If there is an available update, click download and install.

You can also set an automatic update in the future. Simply go to the AppStore and click on ‘Automatically keep my Mac up to date’. This will send you a notification whenever there is an update available.

Remove Restrictions on Apple TV

Anyone can actually Airplay to your Apple TV if set publicly which is why it is essential to manage and set restrictions.

To change restriction settings, simply go to Settings, and then Airplay and from here you can customize who can Airplay to Apple TV.

  • Anyone on the same network
  • Everyone
  • Require Password
  • Only People sharing this home

Turn off Firewall (OS X)

OS X 10.5.1 and later versions included firewall settings that let you control all the connections per applications. This prevents unwanted apps from connecting to your device and controlling network ports.

  1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences
  2. Go to Security & Privacy or Security
  3. Select the Firewall tab
  4. Click on the lock icon and provide the administrator name and password
  5. Turn on the firewall or click Start to enable
  6. If needed, you can go to Advanced and customize firewall configurations

Allowing Specific apps on Firewall

  1. Open the Firewall options
  2. Select the plus sign (+) to add applications
  3. Choose the desired apps you wish to allow connection privileges
  4. Tick Add and tick OK

You may go back to this setting if you wish to remove a specific app in the future. Simply use the minus sign (-).

Restart Mac and Apple TV

Turn On Airplay Mac

Perform a quick restart on both devices to give them a refresher. Some users reported that after a quick reboot, the Airplay showed up on Mac.

Turn off your Bluetooth

Mirroring

Bluetooth may hinder the connection between your Apple TV and Mac. Turn off the Bluetooth on Mac to make sure they connect smoothly.

How To Set Up Apple Airplay

You can turn off Bluetooth on Mac using several options.

Best Airplay Mirroring Software Mac Download

Via the Status menu

  1. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu or status bar
  2. Select Turn off Bluetooth

Via System Preferences

  1. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu
  2. Choose Bluetooth and click Turn off Bluetooth

Best Airplay App For Mac

Part 4. Summary

Fixing Airplay that is not showing on Mac is pretty simple. You have several options to try if one solution did not fix it.

You can now start watching your favorite videos or listen to your playlist and even check documents via the Airplay connection. Remember the tips we gave above if there are any issues that might arise while trying to connect iOS devices.

Mac Os Airplay

Have you experienced this problem or any other problem on Mac? Do you have other quick fixes to share with us? Leave us a comment below!

>Tricks >Guide On How to Fix Airplay Not Showing on Mac
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