MacBook Pro won't connect to Apple TV via AirPlay

I've seen similar questions/threads and tried everything short of reinstalling the MacBook's operating system, but nothing has worked. Here's the deal:

-I have a new MacBook and Apple TV (both new as of 2015). All software is completely up-to-date on both.

-All other devices (two iPhones, one iPad) connect to Apple TV, mirroring and otherwise, as they're supposed to, with no issues

-Everything (MacBook, Apple TV, modem, wireless router) has been restarted. No other connectivity issues in the house.

-Home sharing and iCloud are turned on (using the same account) on both Apple TV and MacBook.

-Firewall on MacBook is completely off.

YET when I click on the AirPlay icon and then "Apple TV" on my MacBook, I get a pop-up telling me "Could not connect to 'Apple TV'."

The weird thing is that I could at least get the Apple TV to mirror this MacBook's display a few months ago. Now- nothing.

Please help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Apple TV tvOS 9.2.1 (13Y772)

Posted on May 31, 2016 3:58 AM

17 replies

Jun 2, 2016 7:11 AM in response to CharethCutestory

Too bad. There's something inconsistent in the AirPlay security protocol between the two devices that makes ATV reject the connection. There was another thread a couple of months ago where the Mac acted as if ATV was requiring a security code, but no code was displayed by the TV. Even enabling the code on ATV, and entering the code, didn't work. So that was another situation where the devices weren't seeing eye-to-eye.

This might be a swamp, but you might try enabling the one-time code on ATV, and see if the Mac lets you enter it. That could make it a trusted device. If it works, you should be able to disable the code and continue normally.

Jun 2, 2016 2:10 PM in response to Diana.McCall

Well it definitely seems that you're right about that inconsistency. I turned on "require device verification" on the ATV and entered the code that popped up when I tried to connect the MacBook. Same result.

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MacBook Pro won't connect to Apple TV via AirPlay