How to Fix AirPlay Option Not Showing Issue

Have you ever encountered the frustrating issue of the AirPlay option now showing on iPhone?

It’s a common problem that many iPhone users face, and it can really put a damper on the seamless and easy streaming experience that AirPlay is meant to provide!

AirPlay is a great feature that enables you to effortlessly mirror your iPhone screen to compatible devices, such as Apple TV, AirPlay-enabled speakers, or smart TVs. But when you can’t find the AirPlay option on your iPhone, it can disrupt your ability to enjoy your favorite multimedia content on a bigger screen or through external speakers.

However, in this guide, we have discussed the reasons for the AirPlay option not showing on iPhone and how to get it back.

So, let’s get started!

What Is AirPlay?

AirPlay is a built-in feature created by Apple that lets you easily stream audio and video content from one Apple device to another. It’s perfect for sharing your favorite stuff from your iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV, smart TV, or any other device compatible with AirPlay.

AirPlay Features

Some of AirPlay’s key features include:

• Streaming
  AirPlay is a fantastic feature that enables seamless streaming of your favorite music, photos, and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to any compatible device.
• Mirroring
  AirPlay mirroring lets you share what’s on your Apple device’s screen, websites, presentations, and spreadsheets on a bigger screen.
• Multiroom Audio
  With AirPlay 2, you can stream audio to multiple AirPlay 2-compatible speakers at the same time. This is great for creating a whole-home audio system.
• Control
  You can control AirPlay playback from your Apple device or the AirPlay-compatible device itself.

Why the AirPlay Option Is Not Showing on iPhone?

It can be frustrating when the AirPlay option fails to appear on your iPhone. However, there are many reasons why this could happen.

Here are some common reasons why the AirPlay option is not showing on iPhone:

• iPhone & AirPlay Not Connected to the Same Wi-Fi Network
  One of the most common reasons for the AirPlay option not being visible on your iPhone is network-related issues. If either device is on a different Wi-Fi network or experiencing network problems, the AirPlay option may not appear.
• Compatibility Issues
  AirPlay is compatible with iPhones running on iOS 4.2 and later. Therefore, if you have an older iPhone version, it may not support AirPlay. Also, the device you want to stream to should be AirPlay-compatible. If any of these issues exist, you won’t see the AirPlay option on your iPhone.
• Outdated Software
  If you’re having trouble getting your iPhone and AirPlay device to work together, it could be because of outdated software. To fix this, just make sure that both devices have the latest firmware or software updates installed.
• AirPlay is not Enabled
  There’s a possibility that AirPlay is disabled on your iPhone or PC/TV. Therefore, enabling it might result in the option appearing on your iPhone.
• Software Glitches
  Lastly, a software glitch or a bug might be the cause of the AirPlay option not showing on iPhone.

How to Fix AirPlay Option Not Showing Issue

Regardless of why the AirPlay option is not showing up on your Apple device, or you’re unable to use it, here are 5 tried and tested solutions for it:

Method 1: Restart Your iPhone

Restarting a device can fix most of the minor glitches; therefore, before you try anything else, simply restart your iPhone.

For iPhones 8 and later:

• Press and release the volume up button, and do the same with the volume down button.
• Now, long-press the power button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

Long-press the volume down and power button simultaneously till you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 6 and Earlier:

Long-press the home and power buttons (side/top) until you see the Apple logo.

If you start seeing the AirPlay option after restating your iPhone, well and good; otherwise, try this next quick fix…

Method 2: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

One reason for the AirPlay option not showing on iPhone could be an unstable or disconnected internet connection. Therefore, try restarting your Wi-Fi device or connecting to any other available Wi-Fi network.

Additionally, make sure that your iPhone and the AirPlay-compatible PC or TV are also connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Method 3: Reset Network Settings

If the Wi-Fi connection works fine, there might be an issue with the network settings at the backend. Therefore, resetting the network settings could possibly solve the issue.

Here’s what to do:

Step 1. Go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Phone.”

Step 2. Tap “Reset > Reset Network Settings” and enter your passcode to confirm your selection.

Step 3. This will reset your network settings, after which you can check whether the AirPlay option is appearing.

Method 4: Enable AirPlay

If resetting the network settings also goes in vain, it’s time to check whether AirPlay is enabled on your iPhone and other devices. Here’s how to enable it:

For iPhone/iPad

• Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open the Control Center.
• Make sure the “Screen Mirroring” option is enabled. It is usually indicated by 2 rectangles.

For Mac

• Go to “System Preferences > Displays.”
• Now make sure that the “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available” checkbox is checked.

For Apple TV

• Go to “Settings > AirPlay.”
• Turn the toggle for AirPlay on if it’s turned off.

Method 5: Software Update

If you still see the AirPlay icon not showing on Macbook or iPhone, your devices have an outdated OS version. Therefore, make sure that you’re running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or tvOS on your device and the latest version of the firmware on your AirPlay receiver.

Now that you know how to fix the AirPlay option not showing on iPhone let’s see how to connect an iPhone to a PC or TV using this feature.

How to AirPlay iPhone to TV/PC

If you have fixed the AirPlay option not showing issue, you can go ahead and cast your iPhone’s screen to your PC or TV.

Screen Mirror via AirPlay on Apple TV

To AirPlay your iPhone to an Apple TV, follow these steps:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Open the Control Center on your iPhone, and click the “Screen Mirroring” icon.

Step 3. Select your Apple TV from the list of available devices.

And that’s it!

Screen Mirror via AirPlay on Mac

To screen mirror your iPhone to Mac via AirPlay, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone, and tap the “Screen Mirroring” icon indicated by two rectangular boxes.

Step 2. Select your MacBook from the list of available devices.

And that’s how to AirPlay your iPhone to your Mac. However, if, for some reason, this method is not working, you can also use a third-party app as an alternative to help you cast your iPhone’s screen.

AnyMiro: Best Alternative to AirPlay

AnyMiro is a tool that lets you mirror your phone screen on your computer. It doesn’t matter if you use an iPhone or Android or if you have a PC or Mac; AnyMiro makes it easy to project your phone screen right onto your computer.

Plus, you can connect wirelessly or with a USB cable, so it’s perfect for all types of smartphones, old or new!

Why is AnyMiro the Best Alternative to AirPlay?

While AirPlay has its upsides, it also comes with several limitations. For instance, it only works with Apple devices. However, AnyMiro tops the list as the best alternative to AirPlay for multiple reasons:

• Wider Range of Supported Devices
  AnyMiro supports a wider range of devices than AirPlay, including TVs, projectors, monitors, streaming boxes, and game consoles.
• More Features
  AnyMiro offers several features that AirPlay does not, such as screen recording, video editing, and the ability to cast to multiple devices simultaneously.
• High-Resolution Screen Mirroring
  AnyMiro can mirror your screen in 4K resolution, offering an excellent experience for sharing media files, playing games, and more.
• Stable and Lag-free Screen Mirroring
  The best thing about AnyMiro is that it ensures a smooth and seamless mirroring experience, even when mirroring high-bandwidth content.
• Simultaneous Audio and Video Mirroring
  AnyMiro can mirror both the audio and video from your device at the same time, sharing your screen with sound.

With that sorted, let’s see how to screen mirror your iPhone to PC via AnyMiro.

Steps to Screen Mirror iPhone to PC Using AnyMiro

Here are the super easy steps to screen mirror your iPhone’s screen to a PC using the USB and wireless feature of AnyMiro:

Via USB Connection

Step 1. Download and launch AnyMiro on your PC, and click “iOS/iPadOS” from the interface.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB-to-lightening cable, and select “USB” from the options on the left menu.

Step 3. Once both devices are connected, you will receive a trust notification on your iPhone. Tap “Trust” to enable USB connectivity.

And that’s how you can cast your iPhone screen to a PC using a USB connection.

Via Wireless Connection

Step 1. Download and launch AnyMiro on your PC, and select “iOS/iPadOS” from the interface.

Step 2. Ensure that your iPhone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and select “WiFi” from the menu on the left.

Step 3. Now, on your iPhone, launch the Control Center, enable “Screen Mirroring,” and select “AnyMiro” from the list of available devices.

With 3 easy steps, you have successfully screen mirrored your iPhone screen to your PC wirelessly using AnyMiro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do all iPhones have AirPlay?

That would be a no because AirPlay is only limited to iPhone 7 or later models.

2. How do I turn on AirPlay on my iPhone 14?

To turn on AirPlay on iPhone 14, swipe from the top-right corner to open the control center and tap the “Screen Mirroring” icon with two rectangular boxes.

3. What are the requirements for AirPlay?

Here are the basic requirements for using AirPlay:

• An Apple device with AirPlay support, such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple TV.
• An AirPlay-compatible device, such as an Apple TV, HomePod, or third-party AirPlay receiver.
• And lastly, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Conclusion

If you want to cast your iPhone screen on your PC or Mac but notice the AirPlay option not showing on iPhone, there’s no need to panic! It’s a common issue that can easily be resolved using one of the 5 methods discussed in this article.

And if you’re looking for an AirPlay alternative with better features, we recommend using AnyMiro. We hope this guide helps you with all your screen mirroring needs!