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AirPlay 2 works on selected smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, VIZIO and Roku, but compatibility depends on the exact model, model year, screen size, region and firmware. A television from a supported brand is not automatically compatible. Confirm the model number against the manufacturer’s current list, update its software, then look for AirPlay in the TV’s settings before testing from an iPhone or iPad.
This guide lists the documented model families, explains what AirPlay 2 does (and does not) provide, and gives a reliable check and troubleshooting procedure for a TV you already own.
What AirPlay 2 adds to a smart TV
AirPlay 2 is Apple’s wireless media and screen-sharing protocol. On a compatible television, you can send video, photos and audio from an iPhone, iPad or other supported Apple device, or mirror the device’s entire screen. Apple describes the experience as using an Apple TV 4K or an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV to watch videos and view photos streamed from an iPhone.
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AirPlay is separate from the Apple TV app. A television can include the Apple TV app without accepting AirPlay connections, so the app’s presence is not proof of compatibility. Conversely, a TV can support AirPlay while a particular streaming app disables AirPlay for its own content. If an app does not offer AirPlay, try the app’s TV version or use screen mirroring where permitted.
AirPlay also does not change the television’s picture hardware. Sending a high-resolution video does not give an older panel a higher native resolution, add HDR capability or improve its speakers. Those qualities come from the TV and its audio equipment, not from the wireless protocol.
AirPlay 2 is not the same as HomeKit
AirPlay and Apple HomeKit are related but independent features. HomeKit support can let the TV appear in the Home app and participate in automations, while AirPlay handles streaming and mirroring. Samsung’s AirPlay-compatible televisions are a documented exception: Apple says they cannot be added to the Home app. Do not infer HomeKit support from an AirPlay logo.
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When shopping, look for separate statements about AirPlay and HomeKit. A listing that says only “AirPlay” answers the streaming question, not whether the set can be controlled as a Home accessory.
TVs with documented AirPlay 2 support
The lists below are family-level guidance from manufacturer and Apple support information. Regional variants, screen sizes and firmware can change the result, so use the exact model number for a final check. A series name printed in a retailer listing is not a substitute for the full code on the television.
LG televisions
LG’s support table, updated September 3, 2026, covers these model-year families:
| Model year | Platform | Families listed as AirPlay 2 compatible |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | webOS 24 | All OLED and QNED models; UHD UT and NANO series |
| 2023 | webOS 23 | All OLED and QNED models; UHD UR and NANO series |
| 2022 | webOS 22 | All OLED and QNED models; UHD UQ and NANO series |
| 2021 | webOS 6.0 | All OLED and QNED models; UHD UP and NANO series |
| 2020 | webOS 5.0 | OLED BX, CX, GX, WX, ZX and RX; UHD UN and NANO series |
LG’s wording applies to the named families, not every LG television ever sold. A regional model with a similar commercial name may have different software, so verify the complete model code. The webOS version is useful corroboration, but a matching operating-system label alone does not prove that every panel using it is included.
Samsung televisions
Samsung’s article updated May 6, 2026 identifies these groups:
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| Model year | Families listed as AirPlay 2 compatible |
|---|---|
| 2023 | All QLED and Neo QLED models; all OLED models; all CU models; all Lifestyle models |
| 2022 | All QLED and Neo QLED models; all OLED models; all BU models; Lifestyle LS03B, LS01B and LS05B |
| 2021 | All QLED and Neo QLED models; all AU models; all The Frame models |
| 2020 | All QLED models; all TU models; The Frame, Serif and Sero TV |
Samsung’s support categories are broad, but a model sold in a different country can use a different suffix or firmware branch. Search the full model code rather than relying on a series name alone. Remember that AirPlay compatibility does not make these televisions HomeKit accessories; Apple documents that they cannot be added to the Home app.
On a compatible Samsung set, the relevant controls are under Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings. If that menu is absent after updating, recheck the model and region instead of assuming that an Apple TV app installation will add it.
Sony televisions
Sony states that all of its Google TV models support Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. Sony specifically notes that W8K and X74K/X75K models require a software update before the features become available.
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Sony also lists these Android TV families as supported, with size and regional restrictions on some entries:
| Category | Supported families | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV families | A9/A9S; Z8H/ZH8; A8/A8H; XH95/X95H; XH90/X90H/X91H/XH92; KM-X9000H; XH85/X85H/XH91; XH81; XH80/X80H/X81xH | Some families are limited to specified screen sizes or regional variants on Sony’s list. |
| Models gaining support by update | Z9G/ZG9; A9G/AG9; XG95/X95G; XG85/X85G; Z9F/ZF9; A9F/AF9 | Install the required Sony software update; some XG85/X85G sizes are specified by Sony. |
For older Sony televisions, the operating-system label in the menu is not enough. Match the model’s complete code and size to Sony’s compatibility page, then install any listed update. A television can therefore be compatible in principle but invisible to an iPhone until the required software is installed.
Roku TVs and Roku streaming hardware
Roku lists compatible Roku TV model families and several streaming devices. Roku requires Roku OS 9.4 or higher for AirPlay and HomeKit:
| Type | Documented compatible models | Software requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Roku TVs | Roku’s compatible TV model families | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Streambar | 9102 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Streaming Stick+ | 3810 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Streaming Stick 4K | 3820 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Express 4K | 3940 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Premiere | 4620 or 3920 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
| Ultra | 4850 or 4802 | Roku OS 9.4 or newer |
Roku’s requirement is a minimum operating-system version, not a guarantee that every older Roku-branded television is compatible. Check the hardware model in Settings before assuming support. The same rule applies to a stand-alone Roku device: identify its model number, then confirm that it has reached OS 9.4 or newer.
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Apple identifies VIZIO as an AirPlay TV manufacturer. Apple’s accessory directory includes VIZIO M-Series generations from 2016 through 2023 among AirPlay-enabled TVs and video accessories. Because availability can vary by country and firmware, use the exact VIZIO model page and Apple’s directory for confirmation instead of applying the M-Series label to every set.
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Apple’s AirPlay information also uses the “Works with Apple AirPlay” badge to identify participating products. The badge is useful when shopping, but the product’s detailed model listing remains the decisive check. If a retailer shows the badge but omits a regional suffix, obtain the complete code from the seller or manufacturer.
How to check a TV you already own
- Find the exact model number. Open the television’s Settings and look under About, System Information or a similarly named device-information page. If the menu does not show it, read the label on the rear or side of the set. Record every letter, number and regional suffix, plus the screen size when the manufacturer lists size-specific support.
- Check the manufacturer’s compatibility list. Search that complete model code on the official LG, Samsung, Sony or Roku AirPlay support page, or match it in Apple’s directory for an Apple-listed accessory. Do not stop at the brand, product family or the presence of the Apple TV app. If the result is ambiguous, compare the country version of the support page and ask the manufacturer to confirm the code.
- Update the television. Install the newest firmware offered in the TV’s software-update menu. Sony identifies models that need a specific update, while Roku requires Roku OS 9.4 or newer. Updating also repairs cases where AirPlay is supported but its menu is hidden by older software. Allow the set to restart fully and check the installed version afterward.
- Locate the AirPlay setting. Menu names vary by platform. LG documents AirPlay under Home Dashboard. Samsung uses Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings. Other brands may show AirPlay, Apple AirPlay, or AirPlay and HomeKit in network or system settings. An AirPlay entry is a strong local confirmation, but model-list verification is still important.
- Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Connect the iPhone or iPad and the television to the same home network, not merely to networks with similar names. Keep both devices powered on and within normal wireless range. A guest network or isolation setting can make devices appear connected while preventing discovery.
- Start a test from the iPhone or iPad. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select the television. For supported media, you can also use the AirPlay button inside the video, photo or audio app. Enter the onscreen passcode if the TV displays one.
- Confirm the result. A successful connection puts the iPhone or iPad screen on the TV when mirroring, or starts playback on the TV when sending media. Stop mirroring from Control Center or choose the iPhone as the playback destination to disconnect. Test both mirroring and an app’s AirPlay button if you need both functions.
If the TV does not appear in Screen Mirroring
Work through these checks in order. Apple recommends that both devices be powered on, nearby, updated and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, followed by a restart if necessary. Change one condition at a time so you can identify what fixed discovery.
- Recheck the model code. Similar names can cover different years, sizes and regional editions. A non-compatible variant will not gain AirPlay merely because another member of the series has it.
- Finish software updates. A download may require a reboot or acceptance of a terms screen before the AirPlay menu appears. Verify the installed version after updating.
- Open the TV’s AirPlay controls. Make sure AirPlay is enabled rather than disabled, and check whether the TV is waiting for a one-time code or asking for a connection-permission setting.
- Compare Wi-Fi details. Temporarily disable a guest-network connection, VPN routing or an access-point isolation feature that prevents devices from discovering one another. The phone and TV must be on the same local network.
- Restart both ends. Turn the TV fully off, restart the iPhone or iPad, then power the TV back on and retry Screen Mirroring. This clears discovery sessions that survived a network change.
- Test another AirPlay source. If a photo mirrors but a particular streaming app does not play, the app may restrict AirPlay. That behavior does not prove the television is incompatible.
- Check regional support. Manufacturer lists can distinguish countries or television variants. If the exact model is absent from the local support page, contact the manufacturer rather than installing unofficial firmware.
- Separate discovery from playback. If the television appears but playback fails, first try a photo or another supported item. If only one service fails, its app policy is more likely the cause than the TV’s AirPlay implementation.
Choosing a TV when AirPlay matters
AirPlay should be one item in a model-selection checklist, not the only specification. Compare these factors before buying:
| Decision point | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exact coverage | Model code, screen size, model year and sales region | Series-level advertising can hide unsupported variants. |
| Required software | webOS version, Samsung firmware, Sony update status or Roku OS 9.4 minimum | AirPlay may depend on an update even when the hardware is listed. |
| HomeKit | Whether the model supports HomeKit in addition to AirPlay | AirPlay alone does not add a TV to Apple’s Home app; Samsung is explicitly excluded. |
| Picture and sound | Resolution, HDR formats, refresh rate, speaker or receiver connections | AirPlay transports content but does not upgrade the panel or audio hardware. |
| App behavior | Whether the services you use allow AirPlay | Individual apps can block AirPlay even on a compatible TV. |
| Fallback cost | Price of an external AirPlay receiver versus replacing the TV | A receiver can add AirPlay without discarding a functioning display. |
Keep a copy of the exact model code and the software version after purchase. Those two details make future support checks much faster than a television’s marketing name. Also confirm that the television has a free HDMI input if you may use an external receiver later.
Using an external receiver instead
If the built-in TV software lacks AirPlay 2, an external receiver is often the simplest remedy. Apple identifies Apple TV 4K as an AirPlay destination. Roku also documents the Streaming Stick 4K model 3820 as an AirPlay 2 receiver when it runs a compatible Roku OS version.
Connect the receiver to an available HDMI input, complete its network setup, update its software, and select that HDMI input when you want to use AirPlay. The receiver’s compatibility does not change the TV’s own smart-platform features: the television still needs the correct HDMI input and an audio path that supports the content you send.
This approach is useful when the screen is otherwise satisfactory, when a model-year update is unavailable, or when you want to replace only the streaming interface. It can be less disruptive than replacing a working panel, but compare the receiver’s purchase price with the cost of a new TV and check available HDMI ports. Verify the receiver model and operating-system requirement before buying, because AirPlay support is not universal across every generation of a product line.
What a successful AirPlay connection can and cannot promise
- It can: stream supported video, photos and audio; mirror an iPhone or iPad screen; and use the TV as an AirPlay playback destination.
- It cannot: guarantee HomeKit integration, make every app AirPlay-compatible, or overcome an unsupported model, region or firmware version.
- It does not require: replacing a working TV when a documented external receiver can provide the missing AirPlay function.
- It does require: compatible hardware, current software and a local network that allows the Apple device and receiver to discover one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having the Apple TV app mean my TV supports AirPlay 2?
No. The Apple TV app and AirPlay are separate features. Check the exact model on the manufacturer’s AirPlay list and look for an AirPlay setting on the TV.
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Can I AirPlay from an iPhone to any smart TV?
No. The TV must be an AirPlay 2-enabled model or have a compatible external receiver, such as Apple TV 4K or a documented Roku device. The iPhone and TV must also be on the same Wi-Fi network.
How do I find my TV’s exact model number?
Open Settings and look under About or System Information, or read the label on the rear or side of the set. Include every letter, number, regional suffix and, where relevant, screen size.
Why does my TV appear for photos but not for one streaming app?
Individual apps can restrict AirPlay. Test another photo, video or audio item; if that works, the problem is likely the app’s AirPlay policy rather than TV compatibility.
Does AirPlay 2 automatically provide HomeKit?
No. AirPlay and HomeKit are separate. Apple specifically says Samsung AirPlay-compatible smart TVs cannot be added to the Home app.
What Roku software version is required?
Roku says a compatible Roku TV or streaming device must run Roku OS 9.4 or higher for AirPlay and HomeKit.
What should I do if my TV is not listed?
Confirm the complete model code and region, install all official updates, and contact the manufacturer. Do not rely on a similar series name or install unofficial firmware.
Is an external receiver better than replacing the TV?
If the display and audio are otherwise satisfactory, an Apple TV 4K or documented Roku receiver can add AirPlay without replacing the television. Compare the receiver price, available HDMI inputs and required software with the cost of a new set.
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AirPlay 2 support is a model-level feature, not a promise attached to an entire brand. LG lists selected 2020–2024 webOS families, Samsung lists selected 2020–2023 families, Sony covers Google TV and specified Android TV models, Roku requires OS 9.4 or newer on compatible hardware, and Apple lists participating VIZIO products. Find your exact model code, verify it on the appropriate official list, update the firmware, place the TV and iPhone on the same Wi-Fi network, and test Screen Mirroring. If the built-in software is unsupported, an Apple TV 4K or documented Roku receiver may be a simpler and cheaper alternative to replacing a working display.
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