How to Turn Your Mac into an AirPlay Receiver

For years, Apple’s AirPlay technology was a one-way street. You could cast a video from your iPhone to an Apple TV, or mirror your Mac’s screen to a smart television in a boardroom, but the Mac itself could only ever be the source of the media. It could not receive an AirPlay cast from another device.

This changed with the introduction of macOS Monterey. Apple updated the operating system to allow compatible Macs to function as AirPlay Receivers. This means you can now cast a YouTube video from your iPhone directly to your iMac’s massive 27-inch Retina display, or use a MacBook Pro as a secondary, wireless monitor for your main workstation.

This guide explains how to enable the AirPlay Receiver feature on your Mac and how to use it.

Hardware Requirements

Because processing an incoming video stream requires specific hardware encoders, not every Mac capable of running modern macOS supports this feature. To act as an AirPlay Receiver, you must be using one of the following devices (or newer):

• MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
• MacBook Air (2018 and later)
• iMac (2019 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019)

Additionally, the device casting the media (your iPhone, iPad, or other Mac) must be signed in to the same Apple ID, or both devices must be connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network.

How to Enable AirPlay Receiver

The feature is usually enabled by default on supported Macs, but if you have ever tweaked your sharing settings, it may be turned off. It is best to verify the settings before attempting to cast.

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen.
2. Select System Settings.
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on General.
4. In the right pane, click on AirDrop & Handoff.
5. Locate the toggle switch labeled AirPlay Receiver. Click the toggle to turn it On.

Directly below this toggle, you will see a setting labeled “Allow AirPlay for.” You have two options:

• Current User: Only devices logged into your personal Apple ID can cast to this Mac. This is the most secure option if you use your Mac in a public space like an office or coffee shop.
• Anyone on the Same Network: Anyone connected to your home or office Wi-Fi can cast to your screen. This is ideal if you want to let a friend share a video from their phone to your computer screen. (You can also require a password for this option).

How to Cast to Your Mac

Once the receiver feature is enabled, your Mac behaves exactly like an Apple TV.

Casting from an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open a video or music app (like YouTube or Apple Music) on your mobile device.
2. Tap the standard AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle pointing up into it).
3. Your Mac will appear in the list of available devices, usually named after your computer (e.g., “John’s iMac”). Tap it.
4. The video will instantly take over the screen of your Mac, playing in full screen with the audio routing through the Mac’s superior speakers.

Using Your Mac as a Second Monitor:

1. On your primary Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of the menu bar.
2. Click Screen Mirroring.
3. Select your secondary Mac from the list.
4. Your secondary Mac’s screen will instantly turn into a wireless extension of your main computer, allowing you to drag windows and apps across both displays as if they were physically connected by a cable.