How to Use AirPlay to Mac in macOS 13 Ventura

Yes, you can stream media to your Mac using AirPlay in macOS 13 Ventura. The AirPlay to Mac feature allows your computer to act as an AirPlay receiver, letting you stream video, mirror screens, or play audio directly from an iPhone, iPad, or another Mac. This guide covers the hardware requirements, how to enable the feature in macOS 13, and the exact steps to begin streaming your media.

System Requirements

To use AirPlay to Mac on macOS 13 Ventura, both your Mac and your sending device must be compatible.

  • Mac Models Supported:
    • MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
    • MacBook Air (2018 and later)
    • iMac (2019 and later)
    • iMac Pro (2017)
    • Mac mini (2020 and later)
    • Mac Studio (2022 and later)
    • Mac Pro (2019 and later)
  • Sending Devices:
    • iPhone 7 and later
    • iPad Pro (2nd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), or iPad mini (5th generation and later)
    • Another compatible Mac running macOS Monterey or later

Both devices should have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. They do not necessarily need to be on the same Wi-Fi network if you are connecting via a supported USB cable or peer-to-peer AirPlay, but being on the same local network ensures the best performance.

How to Turn On AirPlay Receiver in macOS 13

Before you can send content to your Mac, you must ensure the AirPlay Receiver setting is turned on.

  1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.
  2. Click General in the sidebar.
  3. Select AirDrop & Handoff on the right side.
  4. Locate AirPlay Receiver and toggle the switch to the On position.
  5. Set your preferred permissions under Allow AirPlay for:
    • Current user: Only devices signed into your Apple ID can stream to this Mac.
    • Anyone on the same network: Anyone connected to your local Wi-Fi can stream.
    • Everyone: Any nearby device can attempt to connect.
  6. (Optional) Toggle Require password if you want to require a passcode before a device can connect.

How to Stream Video and Audio to Your Mac

Once the feature is enabled, you can send media to your Mac using standard AirPlay controls.

Streaming Video or Music from an App

  1. Open a media app (such as Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or Apple TV) on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with concentric circles for audio, or a rectangle with a triangle for video).
  3. Select your Mac from the list of available devices.
  4. The media will immediately begin playing on your Mac's screen and speakers.

Mirroring Your Device's Screen

  1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad (swipe down from the top-right corner on modern devices).
  2. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles).
  3. Choose your Mac from the list.
  4. If prompted, enter the AirPlay code displayed on your Mac's screen.
  5. Your iOS screen will appear on your Mac display. To stop, reopen Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.