Apple’s AirPlay feature provides a convenient way to wirelessly stream videos, photos, music and more from your iOS devices to a variety of AirPlay-compatible receivers, including select smart TVs and streaming devices. However, Amazon’s popular Fire TV Stick doesn’t natively support AirPlay, leaving many users wondering if it’s possible to connect the two technologies.
The good news is that while you can’t directly AirPlay to a Fire TV Stick, there are workarounds using third-party apps that allow you to mirror your iPhone, iPad or Mac screen to view content on the big screen. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use AirPlay on your Fire TV Stick step-by-step.
Can You AirPlay to Fire Stick?
Officially, no – the Amazon Fire TV Stick does not have built-in AirPlay functionality. This is because the Fire TV Stick runs on a customized version of Android, while AirPlay is an Apple-developed protocol designed for the company’s own iOS, macOS and tvOS operating systems.
So if you try to AirPlay directly from your iPhone or iPad to a Fire Stick, you’ll quickly discover that your streaming device doesn’t show up as an available AirPlay receiver. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution.
How to Use AirPlay on Fire Stick with Third-Party Apps
The key to connecting AirPlay to your Fire TV Stick is to use a third-party app as an intermediary between the two devices. By installing an app like AirScreen or AirReceiver on your Fire Stick, you can create a bridge that allows you to mirror your iOS device’s display.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to set it up:
Install a third-party AirPlay receiver app on your Amazon Fire TV Stick. We recommend either AirScreen or AirReceiver, both of which are free to download from the Amazon Appstore.
Ensure your iOS device and Fire TV Stick are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay won’t work if the devices are on separate networks.
Launch the AirPlay receiver app on your Fire TV Stick and make note of the on-screen AirPlay code or QR code.
Open the Control Center on your iOS device by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen (on iPhone X or later or iPad running iOS 12 or later) or up from the bottom of the screen (on iPhone 8 or earlier or iOS 11 or earlier).
Tap the “Screen Mirroring” button and select your Fire TV Stick from the list of available devices. If prompted, enter the AirPlay code from Step 3.
Your iOS device screen will now be mirrored on your TV via the Fire Stick. To disconnect, tap the “Screen Mirroring” button in Control Center again and select “Stop Mirroring.“
It’s important to note that screen mirroring is different than true AirPlay casting, so the video quality and aspect ratio may not be optimized for your TV. For the best results, rotate your iOS device into landscape orientation to better match the TV’s display.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble connecting AirPlay to your Fire Stick, here are a few things to check:
- Double check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
- Force quit the AirPlay receiver app on your Fire Stick and relaunch it
- Restart both your Fire Stick and iOS device
- Make sure your devices are running the latest software versions
- If the connection is dropping out, try moving the devices closer to your Wi-Fi router
- If you’re trying to AirPlay to a smart TV, make sure it supports AirPlay 2. For troubleshooting tips, check out our guides for Hisense TV, TCL TV, Samsung TV, and LG TV AirPlay issues.
- If you don’t see the AirPlay option on your iOS device, follow these steps to fix AirPlay not showing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I AirPlay to a Fire Stick without an app? No, the Fire TV Stick does not have built-in AirPlay functionality, so you need to use a third-party app like AirScreen or AirReceiver.
Is there a way to AirPlay to Fire Stick from my Mac? Yes, as long as you have an AirPlay receiver app installed on your Fire Stick, you can mirror your Mac’s display the same way you would an iPhone or iPad. Just click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and select your Fire TV Stick.
Do I need to pay for an AirPlay receiver app? No, popular options like AirScreen and AirReceiver are free to download and use. Some apps offer paid versions with additional features, but the free versions work well for basic screen mirroring.
Can I stream protected video content to my Fire Stick using AirPlay? In most cases no – streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu typically block video output over AirPlay to unauthorized devices. You may be able to mirror your entire iOS device screen, but the video will not play back in the app.
Does screen mirroring impact video quality compared to native AirPlay? Yes, screen mirroring is essentially a live video of your iOS device’s display, so the quality will be dependent on your devices and network conditions. Native AirPlay maintains the original video and audio quality since it’s not mirroring the whole screen.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Fire TV Stick does not natively support Apple’s AirPlay protocol
- It is possible to connect AirPlay to a Fire Stick using third-party receiver apps
- For best results, make sure devices are on the same network and in landscape orientation
- Screen mirroring will not be as optimized as native AirPlay casting
- Free apps like AirScreen and AirReceiver make it easy to connect AirPlay to Fire Stick
While it may be disappointing that the Fire TV Stick doesn’t work with AirPlay out of the box, the ability to easily add this functionality with a quick app download is the next best thing. With this newfound knowledge, you’ll be seamlessly streaming content from your iPhone, iPad or Mac to the big screen in no time – all thanks to your handy Amazon Fire TV Stick.
