boardyy

Q: Can I stream my iPad via AirPlay on the latest version of iOS to my Apple TV without a Wi-Fi or 4G network (fully offline)?

I need to connect these devices in an area where there is no wifi or 4g signal. Is it possible for me to mirror my ipad display to Apple TV via AirPlay without any internet connection at all?

Posted on Jun 9, 2016 3:21 AM

Close

Q: Can I stream my iPad via AirPlay on the latest version of iOS to my Apple TV without a Wi-Fi or 4G network (fully offline)?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 9, 2016 3:28 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:28 AM in response to boardyy

    You don't need an internet connection in many cases for AirPlay to work, but you do need a wifi network. If you don't have a wifi network consider using a cable.

  • by boardyy,

    boardyy boardyy Jun 9, 2016 3:29 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:29 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    So I can cable the Apple TV to my device and then connect to it via AirPlay on my iPad without any wifi network?

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 9, 2016 3:35 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:35 AM in response to boardyy

    There are cables available to connect directly from the iPad to a TV, you wouldn't need an Apple TV.

  • by boardyy,

    boardyy boardyy Jun 9, 2016 3:37 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:37 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    I need to do this fully wirelessly without any cables. I need to be stood around 10m from my Apple TV with only my iPad in hand. I do not want a cable connected to iPad?

  • by boardyy,

    boardyy boardyy Jun 9, 2016 3:40 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:40 AM in response to boardyy

    Is it just the recent iOS versions that do not work in this way? Would an older version of iOS work in this way with the Apple TV?

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 9, 2016 3:43 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 3:43 AM in response to boardyy

    Then you will need to take along something that will provide you with a wifi network such as an airport or something similar, you can't do something wirelessly when there is no wireless network.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jun 9, 2016 4:02 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 4 (2,942 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 4:02 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    Can't you use peer-to-peer AirPlay with no network? You'd need to enable bluetooth on the iPad. I've read that peer-to-peer opens a direct link on WiFi channel 149, not using the network. The problem would be whether ATV and iPad will enable WiFi when there's no network. Worth a test.

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Jun 9, 2016 4:07 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Jun 9, 2016 4:07 AM in response to boardyy

    The technology used to do wireless Airplay is and has always been WiFi.  If you are using the mirror option, the WiFi network is especially taxed because buffering is not possible.

    In order to do what you want as you specify, you need a WiFi router to establish a WiFi network in that area to allow the iPad and ATV to communicate.  They cannot directly use Airplay with each other.

    If you are doing a presentation especially on a show floor, I would strongly consider the cable option.  Setting up and maintaining a good Wi-Fi network where all types of radio and network interference are present is futile.  You will also be unable to properly test it because until the show is underway, you will not be exposed to all the possible interference. 

    If you don't mind being embarrassed when it does not work or cuts out, go for it. 

    If you need it to be flawless, buy the Apple adapter and an HDMI cable and look like a pro.

    There is a reason Apple uses wired connections when doing demos at their product intros.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 9, 2016 4:12 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 4:12 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    Diana.McCall wrote:

     

    Can't you use peer-to-peer AirPlay with no network? You'd need to enable bluetooth on the iPad. I've read that peer-to-peer opens a direct link on WiFi channel 149, not using the network. The problem would be whether ATV and iPad will enable WiFi when there's no network. Worth a test.

    No, all peer to peer networking does is use bluetooth to establish a wifi connection without you having to provide any of the settings, as such you still need a wifi network.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jun 9, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 4 (2,942 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    Thank you for that very clear explanation. But I think you may be mistaken. I turned off my router and was able to establish peer-to-peer AirPlay.

    The test configuration is an ATV 4 with tvOS 9.2.1, and iPad air, WiFi only, iOS 9.3.2. There are no cellular devices in this house, so no hotspots possible. Here are the test steps:

    1. Netgear R6400 router off.

    2. ATV wake up by remote, displays "Network problem. not connected to internet". Reply OK. Settings Network says WiFi Not Connected. Neighbor networks are available, but ATV does not connect to them.

    3. IPad wake up, no WiFi icon in status bar at top.

    4. Open Control Center, observe WiFi button is lit, but no network connection. Enable bluetooth.

    5. Open AirPlay menu, brief pause, observe Apple TV, select it, enable mirroring. IPad screen appears on TV. Cancel mirroring, leave AirPlay on.

    6. Play short video from Photos, no problem. Play slideshow from Photos, no problem. Note that iPad WiFi indicator never appears in status bar.

    7. Shut everything down and restart router.

    Conclusion: peer-to-peer AirPlay does indeed wirh with no router or network, as described here How to use AirPlay on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. This Cisco document, page 36, has some technical details: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-2/b_Enterpr ise_Best_Practices_for_Apple_Devices_on_…

    Like you, I believed that peer-to-peer just exchanged the network credentials to enable a temporary network connection, but as the Cisco doc describes, that's not the case at all. It really is peer-to-peer.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 9, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    If you have tested it I assume it must be correct.

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Jun 9, 2016 10:41 AM in response to boardyy
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Jun 9, 2016 10:41 AM in response to boardyy

    I was able to connect an iPad to an ATV without a wi-fi network active using the peer to peer wi-fi and bluetooth connection.  It does take a noticeable period for the iPad to discover the ATV is available but it works.  Four observations:

    1. With no internet connection between the two, any locally stored media requiring a internet supplied ownership validation will not function.

    2. If one is in an environment where there may be radio, electrical, or wi-fi interference present, this may prove to be unreliable.

    3. This appears to be similar if not identical to tech used by smart TV's to provide screen mirroring for Android systems.

    4. The ATV displays and the iPad prompts the entry of a pass code to avoid your neighbor streaming to your TV.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jun 9, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Vinceassociate
    Level 4 (2,942 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 9, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Vinceassociate

    Hello Vinceassociate,

    I agree with all except your item 4. In my test, there was no code requirement. However, my iPad may already be a "trusted device" as a result of prior testing AirPlay access control. Of course, you can enable access control to minimize chance of hacker interference.