AirPlay audio to MacBook Pro not using AirPods Pro

Question

AirPlay audio to MacBook Pro not using AirPods Pro

I am trying to use my MacBookPro 14" (running macOS 26.5), iPhone 16 (running iOS 26.4.2), and my AirPods Pro to watch some streaming video.

I used to be able to connect AirPods Pro to MacBookPro, run something (eg, Hulu, Peacock) from my iPhone, choose AirPlay to MacBook Pro, and see the video on my computer screen AND hear the audio in my AirPods Pro.

Now, with Continuity and these devices, it seems that I can no longer hear the audio through the AirPods, unless I only want to watch the video on my iPhone. When I switch to the AirPlay on MacBook Pro, the video's audio keeps defaulting back to the MacBook Pro speakers.

There must be some settings or set of steps that can be done in order to get this to work correctly AGAIN. But it is beyond me to troubleshoot and figure out.

Ideas are very welcome, thank you!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jun 21, 2026 7:14 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

v1v3km

Level 5

5,100 points

Jun 27, 2026 9:35 AM in response to Chelley Vician1

This looks like the same issue you posted about in your other thread regarding AirPlay audio routing on macOS 26/iOS 26. The core problem is that when you AirPlay from iPhone to MacBook Pro, the audio follows the Mac's current output device rather than your AirPods.

The key fix on the MacBook Pro side: before or after initiating AirPlay from your iPhone, open Control Center on the MacBook Pro (top right corner of the menu bar), expand the Sound section, and manually select your AirPods Pro as the output. This overrides the default speaker routing for that session.

You can also set AirPods Pro as your default output device in System Settings > Sound > Output so that every time the Mac detects your AirPods are connected and in-ear, audio routes to them automatically without you having to manually switch each time. This setting should persist across AirPlay sessions.

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Answer 2

Jun 30, 2026 11:51 AM in response to v1v3km

Thank you so much for such a detailed and helpful response (here, and in the other spot since I could not figure out how to delete one post). I am eager to try this out soon, and will let you know my results.

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