How to Turn Off AirPlay

Stop sharing your screen when your stream is over

by
Amanda Derrick
Amanda Derrick
Freelance Contributor
Amanda Derrick is a mechanical engineer, business strategist, and former Lifewire writer who has also written for USAF Civil Service, ATK, and Boeing.
our editorial process
Amanda Derrick
Updated on April 30, 2021
reviewed by
Michael Heine headshot
Michael Barton Heine Jr
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
our review board
Article reviewed on Sep 20, 2020
Michael Barton Heine Jr

What to Know

  • On the Mac desktop, select Mirroring > Turn Mirroring Off.
  • On a mobile device running iOS, open Control Center > Music or Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring or Stop AirPlay.

This article shows how to turn off AirPlay on most iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

How to Turn Off AirPlay on a Mac

From the top menu bar on your Mac desktop, select the Mirroring icon indicated by a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. In the Mirroring menu that opens, select Turn Mirroring Off.

If you don't see the Mirroring icon, select the Apple icon from the menu bar, followed by System Preferences > Displays. In the lower left corner. Check the Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available checkbox.

How to Turn Off AirPlay on an iPhone or iPad

  1. Open Control Center.

    • iPhone X & iPad iOS 12: Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen.
    • iPhone 8, or iOS 11, and earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  2. Select either the Music widget or the Screen Mirroring widget.

  3. Select the option to Stop Mirroring or Stop AirPlay.

    How to Stop Mirroring on AirPlay.

If you're looking to reclaim control of your Apple TV from a different AirPlay host, select the Menu button on your Apple TV remote or in the Remote app on your iPhone.

How Does AirPlay Work?

AirPlay detects devices via one of two possible methods. If you're using Apple AirPort Express as your wireless router then it will connect all of your Apple devices without any additional equipment or setup required.

Alternatively, compatible devices will recognize each other when they're on the same Wi-Fi network. As long as each of your devices is using the same Wi-Fi network then they will be able to communicate via AirPlay. That means your iPhone or iPad or will detect your Apple TV, AirPlay-enabled speakers, or other Apple devices you may own.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I disable AirPlay? The only way to disable Airplay is to turn it off. To disable AirPlay on a Mac, select Mirroring and then choose Turn Mirroring Off. To disable AirPlay on an iOS device, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and then choose Stop Mirroring.
  • How do I remove AirPlay from my phone? You can’t remove or uninstall AirPlay. The closest you can get to removing AirPlay is to turn it off. To turn off AirPlay on your iPhone, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and then tap Stop Mirroring.
  • Where are the AirPlay settings on my iPhone? When you want to change the settings for your AirPlay devices, use the Apple Home app. You can use the Home app on your iPhone to turn AirPlay on and off, limit access to AirPlay, change the names of your devices, assign a device to a room, and allow others to project their device screen to your Apple TV or other smart TV.
  • Where is the AirPlay button? You’ll find the AirPlay button in the app you use to cast media (for example, the YouTube app). The AirPlay button is the rectangle with the upward pointing arrow. It’s usually found at the bottom of the app screen.
Was this page helpful?