How to Enable AirPlay for iPhone Running iOS 6 or Earlier

Use your iPhone to beam music, videos, and photos to your AirPlay devices

iPad connected to a projector via Apple TV. Airplay feature.
 Yosomono/Flickr
by Mark Harris
Updated July 15, 2018

AirPlay is Apple's name for a wireless network that allows you to share media from your iPhone to AirPlay-enabled devices all around your home. For example, you can play music in different rooms by using your iPhone in conjunction with AirPlay-compatible speakers or use an Apple TV device to listen to music while viewing the cover art, artist, song title, and more. You also can use AirPlay Mirroring to mirror your iPhone on an Apple TV. (For more information on AirPlay, see AirPlay: How Does It Work and What Devices Can Use It?)

Using AirPlay on your iPhone requires an AirPlay receiver. This can be a third-party AirPlay-compatible speaker system, Apple TV, or an Airport Express hub, for example.

Here's how to configure your iPhone for Airplay:

  1. Make sure that both the iPhone and AirPlay receiver are powered on and connected to the same wireless network.
  2. Open the Music app on your iPhone home screen.
  3. Tap the AirPlay icon located near the playback controls to get a list of all available AirPlay devices.
  4. Next to each device is a speaker or TV icon that denotes the type of media that can be streamed. Tap on an AirPlay device to use it.

Note: This tutorial applies to iOS 6.x and below. See How to Enable AirPlay on iOS if you have a newer device or version.