Apple AirPlay 2: Apple's Wi-Fi streaming tech explained

AirPlay is Apple's Wi-Fi streaming tech and there's now a second-generation version that's widely available on iOS and macOS devices. 

But what is AirPlay 2, what can it do and what products can you use it with?

What is Apple AirPlay 2?

• Offers multi-room and stereo pairing for HomePod
• Supports music, photos, video and mirroring

Apple AirPlay 2 offers wireless streaming of content from Apple devices including iPhone, iPad or Mac.

It enables you to stream a wide range of content from your phone to your Apple TV, certain audio devices like a Sky Q box, an audio device like a compatible Sonos speaker or, new recently, compatible televisions. This latest version of AirPlay also ushers in multi-room compatibility for the HomePod.

AirPlay 2 also enables device mirroring to share the content of your phone's display on another device.

AirPlay was first introduced in September 2010, having previously been called AirTunes for audio-only streaming.

For video, Apple AirPlay 2 is also becoming available on a range of TVs including 2019 models from Samsung, Vizio, Sony and LG.

Which Apple devices support AirPlay 2?

AirPlay 2 rolled out as part of iOS 11.4. The full list of compatible devices is as follows and these are basically the Apple devices you'll be able to use:

iPhone

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
• iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
• iPhone X and iPhone XR
• iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus
• iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 5S

iPad

• 12.9in iPad Pro (first generation)
• 12.9in iPad Pro (second generation)
• 9.7in iPad Pro
• 10.5in iPad Pro
• iPad (2018)
• iPad (fifth generation)
• iPad Air or later
• iPad mini 2 or later 

iPod touch

• iPod touch (6th generation)

Apple TV

• Apple TV 4th Gen

MacBook and MacBook Pro

• MacBook: Late 2009 or later
• iMac/iMac Pro:Late 2009 or later
• MacBook Air: 2010 or later
• MacBook Pro: 2010 or later
• Mac mini: 2010 or later
• Mac Pro: 2010 or later

In other words, anything made more than 7 years ago isn't supported.

How does AirPlay 2 work with iOS and music?

• Control multiple speakers from the iPhone or iPad
• Multiple users can add songs to one playlist
• Multi-room for HomePod

Apple AirPlay 2 adds speaker control to the Home app, meaning you can individually control all of your AirPlay-compatible speakers from your iPhone for the first time. Note, however, that the speakers need to support AirPlay 2. This is something that can already be done using a MacBook with iTunes, but iOS devices have previously lacked the ability. 

Considering it's more down to the phone sending the audio signals to the speakers, we expect any streaming service you have installed on your iPhone to be able to work with AirPlay 2 speakers.

When you play music from your iOS device, you can select which speakers around your home you want it to be sent to and control individual volumes of those speakers. These controls can be found in Control Centre by swiping up from the bottom of your iPhone screen.

One feature possible with AirPlay 2 is the ability to play different songs in different rooms, although only Apple Music subscribers can take advantage of it. You can simply ask Siri to play one song on one speaker, and another on one in a different room.

Another feature of AirPlay 2 is the ability for multiple users to add songs to one playlist. Say you're at a party, and one person has their iPhone as the music source, playing Apple Music - other Apple Music users are able to send songs they want played to the source iPhone, to save having to connect and reconnect several phones.

When is AirPlay 2 coming to my speakers?

The following brands have confirmed existing hardware is getting an AirPlay 2 update. We'll update this list as more updates roll out.

Bang and Olufsen

Bang and Olufsen is offering AirPlay 2 updates for the following products:

• Beoplay M3, M5, A6, A9 mk2 & mk3
• BeoSound 1, 2, 35
• BeoSound Essence mk2
• BeoSound Edge
• BeoSound Core
• BeoSound Shape (via BeoSound Core)
• BeoVision Eclipse (audio only)

Bluesound

A software update brings AirPlay 2 to all Bluesound Generation 2i speakers - you'll be prompted to update your players to the latest version of BluOS.

Bose

According to a Bose forum thread, Bose is "actively collecting information to answer inquiries about AirPlay 2 and HomeKit". Confirmations are scarce, but some are confirmed:

• Bose Home Speaker 500 - 2019
• Soundbar 500 - 2019
• Soundbar 700 - 2019

Denon

AirPlay 2 support has been introduced to a number of Denon's new and current hi-fi and home cinema products and 2017 and 2018 models are compatible. 

• Denon HEOS HS2

Devialet

Devialet has confirmed that it will be supporting AirPlay 2, but it's still developing the solution.

• Phantom

KEF

KEF now says that the LSX supports AirPlay 2 after a June 2019 software update.

• KEF LSX

Libratone

Libratone has updated its Zipp line for AirPlay 2. Unfortunately, it's not coming to the AirPlay-enabled Diva soundbar or older products.

• Zipp
• Zipp 2
• Zipp Mini
• Zipp Mini 2

Marantz

A range of Marantz receivers will support AirPlay 2.

• AV7703, 7704, 7705
• AV8805
• NA6006
• ND6006
• NR1508, 1509, 1608, 1609
• SR5012, 5013, 6012, 6013, 7011, 7012, 7013, 8012

NAD

AirPlay 2 is incorporated within the M10 Masters Series Streaming Amplifier, also powered by BluOS like its sister Bluesound products. 

Naim

Naim has confirmed that the following Mu-so and Uniti models have been updated to support AirPlay 2. 

• Mu-so
• Mu-so Special Edition 
• Mu-so 2nd generation
• Mu-so Qb
• Uniti Atom
• Uniti Star 
• Uniti Nova
• ND 555, ND5 XS 2m NDX 2

Onkyo

Onkyo has pushed an update to a number of products, spanning AV receivers, home theatre systems and network stereo receivers. The following devices can now all be updated:

• TX-RZ5100, TX-RZ3100, TX-RZ1100, TX-RZ830, TX-RZ730, TX-NR686, TX-L50
• LS5200
• TX-L20D, TX-8270

Pioneer

Pioneer has confirmed the models that will be getting an AirPlay 2 upgrade. The software update is now live so you should be able to update the following products:

• VSX-S520, VSX-S520D, VSX-LX303, VSX-LX503, VSX-933, SC-LX901, SC-LX801, SC-LX701
• SX-S30DAB

Sonos

Sonos confirmed only newer Sonos speakers will support AirPlay 2, as will future Sonos products. AirPlay 2 is now available for the following older products: 

• Play:5 (second-gen)
• Playbase
• Sonos One
• Sonos Beam
• Sonos Amp (coming soon)

When is AirPlay 2 coming to my TV?

It has been confirmed that AirPlay 2 is coming to a range of televisions. This is a major step-change for Apple, as you'll no longer need Apple TV to connect to the big screen.

LG

LG is offering HomeKit support and AirPlay 2 on 2019 and 2020 models. There will be support for 2018 TVs later in 2020. 

• LG OLED (2019)
• LG NanoCell SM9X, SM8X (2019)
• LG UHD UM7X (2019)

Samsung

Samsung is offering pretty wide support for AirPlay 2 on its latest-generation TVs and it has now started to roll out. 

• Samsung QLED (2019, 2018)
• Samsung 7, 6, 5, 4 series (2019, 2018)

Sony

Sony is also joining the AirPlay 2 party on 2019 TVs.

• Sony Z9G (2019)
• Sony A9G OLED (2019)
• Sony X950G (2019)
• Sony X850G (2019)

Vizio

Vizio perhaps offers the widest support for AirPlay 2, coming to models from 2017, 2018 and 2019.

• Vizio P-Series Quantum (2019, 2018)
• Vizio P-Series (2019, 2018, 2017)
• Vizio M-Series (2019, 2018, 2017)
• Vizio E-Series (2019, 2018, 2017)
• Vizio D-series (2019, 2018, 2017) 

Apple AirPlay 2 with Apple TV

Provided you have tvOS 11 or later, your Apple TV can send audio to speakers around your home as well, rather than just coming from your iPhone or iPad.

Whatever speaker is connected to the Apple TV, be it a soundbar or speaker system, is automatically a de facto AirPlay 2 speaker.  

Apple AirPlay 2 with Siri

Siri takes on a prominent role with the arrival of AirPlay 2 and multi-room audio. You can tell her which speakers you want music playing on whichever speakers you have dotted around your home, and you can even ask her to play different songs on different speakers. You're not just restricted to using Siri with the HomePod either, as she will play nice with any other third-party AirPlay 2 speaker. 

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