[2026] How to Turn Off AirPlay on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and TV
AirPlay is Apple’s wireless technology for streaming content between devices. While it’s convenient when you need it, it can be frustrating when your phone keeps connecting to nearby TVs or speakers without permission. Maybe you’re tired of your iPhone automatically linking to your roommate’s speaker, or you want to prevent embarrassing moments when personal content appears on shared screens.
This guide shows you exactly how to turn off AirPlay on all your Apple devices, with clear steps that actually work in 2026.
1. Understanding What You’re Actually Turning Off
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s clear up some confusion. Apple uses three similar-sounding features that people often mix up:
AirPlay streams specific content (like a video or song) to another device. Your phone stays active and you can do other things while content plays elsewhere.
Bildschirm spiegeln duplicates your entire screen in real time. Everything you see on your iPhone appears on the TV, including notifications and apps.
iPhone-Spiegelung (new in macOS Sequoia) lets you control your iPhone from your Mac. This is completely separate from AirPlay and has its own settings.
The steps below focus on AirPlay and Screen Mirroring, which most people want to disable. iOS 18 redesigned the Control Center, which changed where these options appear, so older tutorials might not match what you see on your screen.
2. How to Turn Off AirPlay on iPhone/iPad
Stop an Active AirPlay Session
If content is already playing somewhere via AirPlay, here’s how to stop it:
1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center
2. Tap the AirPlay icon (two overlapping rectangles)
3. Tap “Stop Mirroring.”
Prevent Automatic AirPlay Connections
This is the setting most people actually want to change. It stops your iPhone from automatically connecting to nearby AirPlay devices:
1. Open Einstellungen. Tap General.
2. Wählen Sie . AirPlay & Continuity.
3. Tippen Sie auf . Automatically AirPlay. Change the setting to Niemals
Your options are:
- Automatic: Your iPhone decides when to connect (usually based on your habits)
- Ask: You get a pop-up every time a device is detected
- Niemals: AirPlay only works when you manually select it
Setting it to “Never” gives you complete control. Your iPhone won’t surprise you by connecting to devices on its own.
Remove AirPlay Controls from Control Center
iOS 18 lets you customize Control Center. If you never use AirPlay, you can remove the button entirely:
1. Open Control Center
2. Long-press on empty space or tap the “+” button
3. Find the “Screen Mirroring” tile
4. Tap the minus (–) button to remove it
This won’t disable the feature completely, but it removes the easiest way to accidentally activate it.
3. How to Turn Off AirPlay on Mac
Stop Screen Mirroring
If you’re currently mirroring to another display:
1. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner)
2. Click Bildschirm spiegeln
3. Click the device you’re connected to
Disable AirPlay Receiver
By default, your Mac can receive AirPlay content from nearby iPhones and iPads. To turn this off:
1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions)
2. Go to General
3. Select AirDrop & Handoff
4. Toggle off AirPlay Receiver
If you want to keep it on but add security, leave it enabled and set “Allow AirPlay for” to “Current User” (only your devices) or enable “Require password” so people can’t cast to your Mac without permission.
4. How to Turn Off AirPlay on TV
Smart TVs from major brands support AirPlay 2. Here’s how to disable it on the most common models.
Apple TV
1. Open Einstellungen
2. Wählen Sie . AirPlay and HomeKit
3. Turn AirPlay zu Off
Samsung TV
1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Go to Einstellungen > All Settings
3. Select Connections
4. Choose Apple AirPlay Settings
5. Set AirPlay zu Off
While you’re here, check Privacy Choices and disable “Viewing Information Services” to stop your TV from collecting data about what you watch.
Roku TV
1. Gehen Sie zu Einstellungen from the home screen
2. Wählen Sie . Apple AirPlay and HomeKit
3. Change AirPlay zu Off
Bonus tip: Go to Einstellungen > System > Power and disable “Fast TV Start.” This prevents the TV from broadcasting AirPlay availability while it’s turned off.
You can turn off AirPlay using a comparable method on other smart TVs, including Sony, TCL, Hisense, LG, and Vizio.
5. How to Turn Off Apple Watch Mirroring
You can mirror your Apple Watch screen to your iPhone, which is different from standard AirPlay. To disable this:
1. On your iPhone, open Einstellungen
2. Go to Accessibility
3. Select Apple Watch Mirroring
4. Toggle it off or tap the “X” button if it’s currently active
6. A Better Alternative: 1001 TVs
If you still want to cast content to your TV but prefer more control over when and how it happens, consider using 1001 TVs. Unlike AirPlay, 1001 TVs won’t automatically connect to nearby devices or surprise you with unwanted connections. You initiate every screen sharing session manually, which gives you complete control.
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1001 TVs works across multiple devices and doesn’t require complex settings management. It’s particularly useful if you’ve struggled with AirPlay’s automatic connection behavior or if you want to cast from non-Apple devices in your household.
7. Wrapping Up
AirPlay can be incredibly convenient, but it shouldn’t work against you by connecting when you don’t want it to. The key settings to remember are:
1. Set Automatically AirPlay to “Never” on your iPhone/iPad (Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity)
2. Turn off AirPlay Receiver on your Mac if you don’t want other devices casting to it
3. Disable AirPlay in your TV’s settings to prevent any device from connecting
Remember that disabling AirPlay in Control Center only disconnects the current session. To truly prevent automatic connections, you need to change the settings in the Settings app.
If you’re still seeing AirPlay controls or connections after making these changes, try restarting your devices. Sometimes iOS needs a fresh start to apply new settings properly. And if you find yourself regularly fighting with AirPlay’s automatic behavior, switching to an alternative like 1001 TVs might save you a lot of frustration.