Devices visible on Airplay - Mac view

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Level 1

8 points

Devices visible on Airplay - Mac view

Hi, I have come across an unusual anomaly that I hope someone can explain. I have been using Spotify for ages and (to avoid consuming device power) use my Mac to distribute the output to various wireless devices that are shown in the Spotify app on my Mac. None of these are Apple devices, they include Muso Cobblestones and a Sony Soundbar. Recently I spotted that on my IPad and IPhone these devices appear on the ‘AirPlay’ available devices and enable streaming using airplay.

Having just signed up to Amazon Prime I thought I could distribute Amazon Music the same way and I can from IPad or IPhone but not my Mac. My Mac Airplay icon doesn’t recognise any devices. My assumption was that all apple devices would have similar capabilities. If so I am obviously missing something - can anyone suggest how I get my a Mac to recognise devices that my other Apple products do? Thanks for any suggestions.

iMac Pro

Posted on Jan 5, 2020 3:08 AM

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Answer 1

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Jan 7, 2020 2:35 PM in response to Bix999

Hello Bix999,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! I understand that your Mac isn't recognizing available devices you can AirPlay audio to. You are able to AirPlay content from your iPhone and iPad to the same devices. I would be happy to help point you towards a resolution.

Let's start by ensuring that you're attempting to use AirPlay on the Mac as follows:

How to AirPlay audio - Apple Support

"AirPlay audio from your Mac

To stream audio from your Mac to your Apple TV, HomePod, or AirPlay-compatible speaker:

Make sure that your Mac and speaker are on the same Wi-Fi or ethernet network.
Go to Apple menu  > System Preferences > Sound.
Under Output, select a speaker that you want to stream audio to. If you select Show volume in menu bar, then you can quickly change the audio output by clicking Volume in the menu bar.

You can't AirPlay to multiple speakers from the menu bar on a Mac.

Learn more about the requirements for using AirPlay and which speakers are supported."

If it's still not working as expected, try these steps next:

If AirPlay or screen mirroring isn’t working on your device - Apple Support

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Bix999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2020 8:25 AM in response to MoonJ.

Hi MoonJ.

Well that solved there problem, I am surprised I didn't find it on the searches I did - must try harder.

However, this has exposed an interesting observation that others may wish to comment on.

I can now distribute Amazon Music or any other audio source selected on my MAC (You Tube etc) to my distributed sound system. However, the output is limited to that by the audio output selection - which I know is logical. In contrast , the Spotify App enables the selection of the other devices without limiting all audio to the same output. So I can watch a You Tube Video on my Mac whilst I have music playing elsewhere.

I guess that this has something to do with the sophistication of the Spotify App rather than exploitation of the MAC's OS.

So, I guess this is something Apple may want to look at emulating because the ability to play different outputs from the same machine over different devices has been around for a while now.

Maybe an upgrade option for a future OS :)

Thanks for your help

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Devices visible on Airplay - Mac view

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