How to turn on and use AirPlay on a Mac, for screen mirroring on larger displays like a smart TV

• You can turn on AirPlay on a Mac through the System Preferences app's "Displays" menu.
• AirPlay on a Mac is handy when giving presentations, or just sharing content on a larger display.
• You can AirPlay from your Mac to any AirPlay-compatible device, like an iPad and most smart TVs.

AirPlay is a great way to share content between Apple devices, and even to non-Apple devices that are AirPlay-compatible like many smart TVs.

With AirPlay on Mac, you can share music, photos, videos, or just mirror your entire computer screen on a larger display - here's how.

How to enable AirPlay on a Mac

1. Open System Preferences, which you can do by clicking the Apple symbol in the menu bar at the top of your screen and selecting "System Preferences" in the drop-down.

2. In System Preferences, find and select the icon for "Displays," which looks like a computer monitor.

3. Check the box next to "Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available."

Quick tip: On the Displays page, there's a drop-down menu next to "AirPlay Display" which will automatically be turned to "Off." This doesn't mean that the AirPlay feature is turned off, it simply means you're not currently AirPlaying your screen.

How to AirPlay your Mac to another device

You can mirror the display of your entire Mac screen onto an Apple TV or another AirPlay-compatible device, like an iPad or some smart TVs.

There are two ways to do this.

From the menu bar:

First, make sure your Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as whatever device you'd like to AirPlay to. If you're AirPlaying to an iPad, make sure they're both logged into the same Apple ID account as well.

1. In the menu bar at the top of your Mac's screen, click the AirPlay icon, which looks like a rectangle with an arrow at the bottom.

2. In the drop-down, choose the device you want to AirPlay to.

3. A passcode might appear on your device's screen. Enter it in the pop-up on your Mac.

4. Your Mac should then begin mirroring its screen to the device you selected.

5. To stop AirPlaying, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar again and choose "Turn AirPlay off" in the drop-down.

From System Preferences:

1. Open System Preferences and click "Displays."

2. On the Displays page, click the drop-down next to "AirPlay Display."

3. In the drop-down, select the device you want to AirPlay to.

4. A passcode may appear on your device's screen. Enter it in the pop-up on your Mac.

5. Your Mac should then begin mirroring its screen to the device you selected.

6. To stop AirPlaying, click the drop-down next to "AirPlay Display" and select "Off."

Quick tip: You can change how your Mac display is mirrored to another device. Click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and in the drop-down, select "Mirror Built-In Retina Display" to have your other device match what's on your Mac desktop. You can also click "Use As Separate Display" to have your Mac screen cast its screen to your other device, rather than both devices displaying the same screen.

How to troubleshoot AirPlay on Mac

When attempting to use AirPlay from a Mac to an Apple TV or other AirPlay-compatible device, the most common misstep is not having both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

If you're trying to connect to your iPad, you also need to be logged into the same Apple ID account.

If things still aren't matching up, access your computer's Firewall by opening System Preferences, going to "Security & Privacy" and selecting "Firewall." Make sure the "Firewall" is turned off.

It may also be that your devices are not up to date - make sure to update your Mac and the device you're AirPlaying to.

The final troubleshooting method is just to restart all devices - including your internet modem.