Network and connectivity
AirPlay
Most people call this sending audio or video to a TV or speaker.
AirPlay streams what is on your iPhone to a compatible television, speaker or Mac on the same network.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 17 and later
- Settings
- General
- AirPlay & Continuity
What it does
The Automatic AirPlay setting decides whether your iPhone connects to nearby televisions without asking. Handoff to a HomePod is controlled separately.
What changes
When it is on
Your iPhone can offer or automatically use nearby AirPlay devices.
When it is off
You choose a destination manually every time.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Music follows you to the right speaker without fiddling.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Stops automatic connection to a television that is not yours.
- Avoids surprise playback in shared spaces.
Battery
Costs you something
Privacy
Depends how you use it
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Ask, on recent releases.
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 17 and later
Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity
-
iOS 11 to iOS 16
Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff
Questions people actually ask
- Why does my iPhone connect to a random TV?
- Automatic AirPlay is set to Automatic. Change it to Ask or Never.
If it is not working
- Both devices must be on the same network, and the app needs Local Network permission.
- Automatic AirPlay to TVs is under General, then AirPlay and Continuity.