Do you ever use Airplay to share content from your iPhone or iPad to a larger screen? If so, you may have noticed that it can be a bit of a pain to turn Airplay off. In this article, we will show you how to turn Airplay off on both iOS and Mac devices. We will also discuss some of the reasons why you might want to turn Airplay off. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- First of All, What is Airplay?
- How To Turn Airplay Off On Your iPhone Or iPad
- How To Stop Screen Mirroring With Airplay
- How To Turn Airplay Off On Your Mac?
- Why Would You Want To Turn Off Airplay?
- How Do I Turn Airplay On In The First Place?
- FAQ
- Can I still use Airplay if I turn it off in the Control Center?
- How do I know if Airplay is on or off on my Mac?
- I turned off Airplay but I’m still seeing the Airplay icon in the menu bar. How do I get rid of it?
- Can anyone else see what I’m doing if I’m using Airplay?
- I’m using Airplay to share audio from my Mac but the sound quality is not very good. Why is this?
- Can I use Airplay with any device?
- What are some of the devices that I can use Airplay with?
- Can I use Airplay to share video content?
- Conclusion
First of All, What is Airplay?
If you are new to Airplay, it is a feature built into Apple devices that allows you to stream audio and video content to other Airplay-enabled devices wirelessly. For example, you can use Airplay to share a video from your iPhone to your Apple TV.
Now, let’s get technical!
AirPlay is a proprietary protocol stack/suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows wireless streaming between compatible devices of audio, video, device screens, and photos, together with related metadata. Originally implemented only in Apple’s software and devices, it was called AirTunes and used for audio-only.
How does it work?
AirPlay uses a combination of WiFi and Bluetooth to wirelessly stream content from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to an AirPlay-compatible speaker or receiver.
AirPlay allows users to wirelessly stream content from their iOS device or Mac to an AirPlay-compatible receiver. The receiver can be a standalone speaker system, such as the Apple TV or an AirPort Express connected to a Hi-Fi system. It can also be built into stereo systems, AV receivers, and so on.
AirPlay is supported by a wide range of Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. Non-Apple devices that support AirPlay include select speakers, AV receivers, and popular stereo systems like Denon, Marantz, Bose, and Bang & Olufsen.

How was it introduced?
The AirPlay protocol suite was originally introduced as AirTunes in 2004 to stream music from a Mac or PC to AirPort Express-connected speakers. Apple has since expanded Airplay to stream video and audio to Apple TV, as well as third-party speaker systems.
Later, Apple added the ability for AirPlay-compatible devices to mirror their displays to an Apple TV. This allows users to wirelessly stream content from their iOS device or Mac directly to their television.
If you knew all of this already, then let’s see what else you know about Apple. Check out our quiz about Apple!
How To Turn Airplay Off On Your iPhone Or iPad
If you want to turn off Airplay on your iPhone or iPad, there are a few different ways to do it. One way is to simply disable the Airplay feature in the Control Center. To do this, swipe up (or down, depending on which iOS version you have) to access the Control Center. Next, tap the Airplay button (which looks like a triangle with waves coming out of it). Finally, tap “Off”.
Another way to turn off Airplay on your iPhone or iPad is to disconnect from the device that you are sharing content with. For example, if you are sharing a video from your iPhone to your Apple TV, you can turn off Airplay by simply disconnecting your iPhone from your Apple TV.
To do this, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to access the Control Center. Next, tap the Airplay icon. Finally, tap the name of the device that you want to disconnect from.
How To Stop Screen Mirroring With Airplay
One way is to simply disable the Airplay feature in the Control Center. To do this, swipe to access the Control Center. Next, you should tap the “Screen Mirroring” button and then “Stop Mirroring.”
How To Turn Airplay Off On Your Mac?
If you want to turn off Airplay on your Mac, there are a few different ways to do it. One way is disabling the Airplay feature in the Menu bar. To do this, click on the Airplay icon in the Menu bar. Next, click “Turn AirPlay Off”.
Another way to turn off Airplay on your Mac is to click the Control Center at the top right corner of your Mac screen. You will see the Screen Mirroring icon, click it. After that, you will see a pop-up menu that will have the option “Display Preferences.” At the bottom of the displayed window, you will be able to click the “Airplay Display” menu and then choose “off.”
If you need additional help with connecting your display screens with your Mac, we’ve got you covered!
Why Would You Want To Turn Off Airplay?

There are a few different reasons why you might want to figure out how to turn Airplay off. One reason is that it can be a battery drain on your devices. If you are using Airplay to share video or audio content from your iPhone or iPad, that can use up a lot of battery power.
Another reason is that it can be a security risk. If you are sharing content from your Mac or iOS device to another device, anyone who has access to that device could be able to see and hear what you are doing.
Finally, if you are using Airplay to share audio content from your Mac, you may notice that the sound quality is not as good as it could be. This is because Airplay compresses the audio before it streams it wirelessly.
How Do I Turn Airplay On In The First Place?
1) Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center.
2) Tap the AirPlay icon.
3) Tap the name of the device you want to stream content to.
4) Tap “Done.”
5) Open the app or video you want to stream.
FAQ
Can I still use Airplay if I turn it off in the Control Center?
No, you cannot use Airplay if you turn it off in the Control Center.
How do I know if Airplay is on or off on my Mac?

There are a few different ways to tell if Airplay is on or off on your Mac. One way is to look at the Menu bar. If the Airplay icon is highlighted, then Airplay is on.
Another way is to look at the volume control in the Menu bar. If the volume control has an Airplay icon next to it, then Airplay is on.
I turned off Airplay but I’m still seeing the Airplay icon in the menu bar. How do I get rid of it?
The easiest way to get rid of the Airplay icon in the Menu bar is to simply turn Airplay back on. To do this, click on the Airplay icon in the Menu bar and then click “Turn AirPlay On”. You can also restart your Mac and the Airplay icon should go away.
Can anyone else see what I’m doing if I’m using Airplay?
Yes, anyone who has access to the device that you are sharing content with can see and hear what you are doing. For example, if you are sharing audio from your iPhone to wireless speakers in another room, anyone who has access to the speakers will be able to hear the audio.
I’m using Airplay to share audio from my Mac but the sound quality is not very good. Why is this?
The sound quality may not be very good because Airplay compresses the audio before it streams it wirelessly. If you want better sound quality, we recommend using a wired connection instead of Airplay.
Can I use Airplay with any device?
No, you cannot use Airplay with just any device. In order to use Airplay, the device must be compatible with it.
What are some of the devices that I can use Airplay with?
Some of the devices that you can use Airplay with include Apple TV, HomePod, and certain models of smart TVs.
Can I use Airplay to share video content?
Yes, you can use Airplay to share both audio and video content.
Conclusion
There you have it! A complete guide on how to turn Airplay off on both iOS and Mac devices. We hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. If your Airplay is not working be sure to check our guide on how to fix your Airplay problem.