Screen mirroring streaming video from Mac to Apple TV

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Screen mirroring streaming video from Mac to Apple TV

I recently bought a new Macbook and realised that now when I try to screen mirror/airplay movies and tv from streaming service to my Apple TV (I've tried Max and Netflix), the video immediately will go black (the audio still continues though). This is odd because on my previous Macbook I was able to Airplay videos with no issue. I've updated the software on both my computer and Apple TV, made sure both are on the same wifi/apple account, tried different web browsers and different streaming services, and checked the settings on both devices to see if there was anything clearly blocking screenshared videos. I'm not sure if the primary issue is with the streaming services, the web browsers, or either of the apple devices but considering the only new thing since this started happening is my computer I'm inclined to think it's an issue with my Macbook settings. Can someone please help??

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 11, 2025 10:06 AM

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Answer 1

Urquhart1244

Level 10

147,996 points

Jan 11, 2025 10:38 AM in response to tangerine55

… streaming to my Apple TV

What is your model Apple TV box?

Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support

Find your Apple TV model number - Apple Support

Netflix doesn’t support AirPlay or AirPlay Screen Mirroring of any kind (since early 2019). They actively block it.
The legacy Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) doesn’t support AirPlay of Max content. Max can be streamed from mobile or Mac to an AirPlay 2-enabled streaming device (thus not legacy model devices).

Later models Apple TV box (2015 or later) can have the Netflix app and Max app directly on the box. Thereby there is no need for screen mirroring.

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

147,996 points

Jan 12, 2025 4:16 AM in response to tangerine55

Screen Mirroring from a browser might be blocked by some content providers to prevent screen capture in general (and unauthorized redistribution).

Apps that offer in-app AirPlay controls work differently, as those can be authorized to forward the stream as-is (no capture needed). But that forwarding of the stream would send the URL of the stream to the Apple TV box, which may not be behind the same VPN, thereby breaking the functionality (out-of-region detection).

Not sure if that has solutions. Perhaps use the TV as second screen for the Mac (direct HDMI connection), instead of AirPlay/Screen Mirroring?

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Answer 3

tangerine55 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2025 3:19 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks for the reply. It's a 4th gen Apple TV so screen mirroring works fine I think. I can't download Max directly on the Apple TV since I'm not based in UK (so use a VPN on my computer to access it. Any other ideas for why Max/my laptop might be blocking screen mirroring?

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Screen mirroring streaming video from Mac to Apple TV

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