Cannot Airplay with M1 iPad to Airport Express

Question

Cannot Airplay with M1 iPad to Airport Express

Since purchasing a 2021 iPad Pro (v15.5) with the M1 chip, I have not been able to initiate AirPlay to an Airport Express (v7.8.1). It seems to connect, then a few seconds later it disconnects. No music ever plays.

I can Airplay to a HomePod, then add the AirPort Express, then remove the HomePod.

I can easily Airplay from an iPhone 12 Mini and an iPhone SE (2016) to the Airport Express.

I have two AirPort Expresses which produce the same results.

The moderately priced, vintage home stereo system where I'm using the Airport Express as a source is my primary listening environment. My iPad is my primary creative, consumption, and entertainment device.

What is Apple doing to resolve this issue?

Should I instead replace my numerous Apple music devices with Sonos?

The topic for this should be AIRPLAY but that's not an option on this forum.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on May 19, 2022 8:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Level 10

301,952 points

May 21, 2022 1:02 AM in response to BenjaminCKHo

BenjaminCKHo wrote:

looks like apple is taking its sweet time with this issue.

there is a work around though. downgrade the airport express firmware to 7.6.9. Then airplay works. you will lose the airplay 2 function though.

Apple won’t be “fixing” the firmware any time soon. The entire AirPort line of products are out of support - and as such will not receive any firmware updates.

Reply

Answer 2

May 20, 2022 9:36 PM in response to Anthony Sbarro

looks like apple is taking its sweet time with this issue.

there is a work around though. downgrade the airport express firmware to 7.6.9. Then airplay works. you will lose the airplay 2 function though.

Reply

Answer 3

osigge

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2022 5:36 PM in response to Anthony Sbarro

I have the exact same problem, but with Libratone Zipp 2 instrad of Airport Express. I have several of them, none of them works. I have no problem with Airplay via iPhone. Already contacted Apple support twice. They won't help me and say that it is Libratones problem.

Just for the record, I found another workaround: Connect the iPad to your Mac and enable it as developer device in Xcode. Then in the settings app on the iPad you have a new Developer option. There you can justtap "Reset Media Services". the it works for me again on the Zipp 2.

Reply

Answer 4

LotusPilot

Level 10

301,952 points

May 19, 2022 8:19 AM in response to Anthony Sbarro

I’ve noted some issues with AirPlay since updating to iPadOS 15.5, but issues that I have encountered are to an AppleTV - and not explicitly with an Airport Express Router.

While unable to provide a solution to your problem, my input here being limited to confirming that some issues are being encountered with AirPlay, abandoning previously reliable hardware may be a premature response.

Reply

Answer 5

May 19, 2022 8:45 AM in response to LotusPilot

I certainly appreciate the additional information. I often feel like I'm the crazy one who can't figure out how to do something that used to work for so many years.

>abandoning previously reliable hardware may be a premature response.

Headphone Jack has entered the chat.

I'm not convinced that abandoning hardware that's worked for over ten years after a year of frustration of it not working due to manufacturer updates is premature. I think I have given all the patience I've had at this point and it's a wonder I haven't jumped ship already. There's been a number of things that used to work that no longer work; mostly music related things. This has already forced me to cancel my Apple Music subscription. Relying on technology that can be updated and/or broken and/or "improved" at a moment's notice and experiencing the negative ramifications of such trust does not enforce a consumer's favor of a brand's products or services.

Reply

Cannot Airplay with M1 iPad to Airport Express

Similar questions