AirPlay is a convenient feature that allows you to wirelessly stream audio and video content from your iPhone or iPad to a compatible device, such as an Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled speakers. However, there may be times when you want to stop AirPlay, such as when you’re finished streaming or when you want to use the audio from your iPhone or iPad on a different device.
Fortunately, stopping AirPlay on your iPhone is a quick and easy process. There are two main ways to do it: from the Control Center or from the AirPlay settings menu. Let’s take a closer look at how to do both.
If you’re using an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. If you’re using an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Then, tap on the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a Wi-Fi signal coming out of it. This will bring up a list of available AirPlay devices. Tap on the device that you want to stop AirPlay on, and then tap on the “Stop AirPlay” button.
Deactivating AirPlay via Control Center
Disabling AirPlay using the Control Center is a convenient way to terminate wireless streaming from your iPhone. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Open Control Center
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone’s screen to reveal the Control Center.
Step 2: Locate the AirPlay Icon
In the Control Center, look for the AirPlay icon, which resembles a rectangle with three concentric circles inside. It’s usually located towards the bottom of the Control Center, along with other media playback controls.
Step 3: Disable AirPlay
Tap the AirPlay icon. A list of available AirPlay devices will appear. Select the option that says “iPhone” to stop streaming to external devices and redirect the audio output to your iPhone’s speakers.
Step 4: Verify Deactivation
Once you select “iPhone,” the AirPlay icon will disappear from the Control Center. This indicates that AirPlay has been deactivated and your iPhone is no longer streaming to external devices.
Disabling AirPlay from Settings
To disable AirPlay straight from the Settings app, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
- Tap on “AirPlay & Handoff.”
- Toggle off the “AirPlay” switch.
Once you have followed these steps, AirPlay will be disabled on your iPhone. You can re-enable it at any time by following the same steps and toggling the “AirPlay” switch back on.
Additional Information
You can also disable AirPlay for specific apps by following these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on the app that you want to disable AirPlay for.
- Tap on the “AirPlay” switch to turn it off.
You can also use the AirPlay icon in the Control Center to quickly disable AirPlay for all apps.
Stopping AirPlay on Specific Apps
To disable AirPlay for specific apps, you’ll need to adjust the settings within each individual app. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the app you want to disable AirPlay for.
- Locate the settings menu within the app. This may be represented by a gear icon or a three-line menu button.
- Look for an option related to AirPlay or streaming. The exact wording may vary depending on the app. For example, in the YouTube app, it’s called “Allow TVs & Speakers.”
- Disable AirPlay by turning off the toggle switch or unchecking the box.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the app you want to disable AirPlay for. |
| 2 | Locate the settings menu within the app. |
| 3 | Find the option related to AirPlay or streaming and disable it. |
Note that some apps may not have individual AirPlay settings. In such cases, you can use the general AirPlay settings on your iPhone to disable it for all apps (see next section).
Turning Off AirPlay Automatically
If you frequently forget to turn off AirPlay, you can automate the process using the Shortcuts app. Here’s how:
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap the plus icon (+) to create a new shortcut.
- Tap “Add Action” and search for “Set AirPlay Destination.”
- Set the “AirPlay Destination” to “Off.”
- Tap the “Automation” tab and select “Create Personal Automation.”
- Choose the trigger you want to use to turn off AirPlay, such as “When you connect to a Wi-Fi network” or “When you disconnect from CarPlay.”
- Tap “Add Action” and select the “Run Shortcut” action.
- Choose the shortcut you created to turn off AirPlay.
- Tap “Done” to save your automation.
Now, whenever the specified trigger occurs, AirPlay will automatically turn off.
Additional Information:
| Trigger | Description |
|---|---|
| When you connect to a Wi-Fi network | Turns off AirPlay when you connect to a specific Wi-Fi network, such as your home network. |
| When you disconnect from CarPlay | Turns off AirPlay when you disconnect your iPhone from CarPlay. |
| When you lock your iPhone | Turns off AirPlay when you lock your iPhone. |
Limiting AirPlay Access to Specific Devices
To restrict AirPlay access to certain devices, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Tap “General” and then “AirPlay & Handoff.”
- Under “Access to AirPlay & HomeKit,” tap “Everyone.”
- Select “Specific People” or “Only People Sharing My Network.”
- If you choose “Specific People,” a list of contacts will appear. Tap the contacts you want to allow AirPlay access to.
- When the padlock becomes closed, it means you have limited AirPlay access to specific devices.
Using a Firewall to Block AirPlay
A firewall is a software or hardware-based network security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. To block AirPlay using a firewall, you will need to configure the firewall to block the necessary ports and protocols used by AirPlay.
Steps to block AirPlay using a firewall:
- Identify the ports and protocols used by AirPlay. These include TCP ports 7000 and 9836, and UDP ports 7000, 9836, and 17439.
- Configure your firewall to block incoming and outgoing traffic on the identified ports and protocols. The specific configuration steps will vary depending on your firewall software or hardware.
- Save and apply the firewall configuration.
- Confirm that AirPlay is blocked by trying to connect to an AirPlay device. If the connection is blocked, the firewall is working correctly.
| Port | Protocol |
|---|---|
| 7000 | TCP/UDP |
| 9836 | TCP/UDP |
| 17439 | UDP |
It is important to note that blocking AirPlay using a firewall may also block other network services that use the same ports and protocols. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully consider the potential impact before implementing this solution.
Rebooting Your Device to Reset AirPlay
Force Restart Your iPhone
If your iPhone is unresponsive or AirPlay is not working as expected, you can force restart your device to reset AirPlay.
Steps for Force Restarting iPhone with Face ID:
| iPhone Model | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 or later |
|
| iPhone 13 or earlier |
|
Steps for Force Restarting iPhone with Home Button:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button simultaneously.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
Updating Your iOS to Resolve AirPlay Problems
If you’re experiencing issues with AirPlay on your iPhone, updating to the latest version of iOS can often resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap “General.”
- Tap “Software Update.”
- If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”
- Follow the prompts to complete the update.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If you’re still having trouble with AirPlay after updating your iOS, try these additional troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure that your iPhone and the device you’re trying to AirPlay to are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart both your iPhone and the device you’re trying to AirPlay to.
- Check the cables connecting your devices to each other.
- Turn off Bluetooth on both devices.
- Reset your network settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Contact Apple Support for further assistance.
| Issue | Troubleshooting Step |
|---|---|
| Can’t find AirPlay device | Ensure your iPhone and AirPlay device are on the same Wi-Fi network and restart both devices. |
| AirPlay keeps disconnecting | Check cables, turn off Bluetooth, and reset network settings. Contact Apple Support if issue persists. |
| Audio is stuttering | Check the cables and Wi-Fi connection. Move devices closer together or reduce background data usage. |
Contacting Apple Support for Assistance with AirPlay
If you find that AirPlay is not working as expected, contact Apple Support for immediate assistance. This is especially important if you have tried all the troubleshooting steps in this article without success.
Here are the steps to contact Apple Support:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Phone |
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| Chat |
|
|
|
When contacting Apple Support, be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your device name and operating system version
- The model of your AirPlay receiver
- A description of the issues you are encountering
- Any troubleshooting steps you have tried
How to Stop AirPlay on iPhone
When you’re finished using AirPlay, you can easily stop it. Here’s how:
1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone.
2. Tap the AirPlay icon.
3. Tap the “Stop AirPlay” button.
People Also Ask
How do I stop AirPlay from mirroring my iPhone to my TV?
Follow the steps above to stop AirPlay. Make sure that your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
How do I stop AirPlay from playing from my Mac to my Apple TV?
Click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar on your Mac. Select the “Stop AirPlay” option.
How do I stop AirPlay from working on my iPhone?
Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff. Turn off the “AirPlay & Handoff” toggle switch.
