How to Use AirPlay from iTunes on Windows
Did you know iTunes for Windows can stream music around your home with Airplay? Here’s how to setup it up.
iTunes on Windows hasn’t been the best music manager for users, but it has been updated throughout the years. Starting with iTunes 10 (yes, that long ago) for Windows, you can use the AirPlay option.
You probably haven’t noticed the AirPlay button at the top of iTunes or even thought about streaming music or podcasts from your PC to other devices. However, it is possible to stream to an AirPlay-compatible speaker, headphones, displays, or other devices.
The experience is essentially the same as casting Windows to Chromecast devices. So, here’s how to AirPlay iTunes on Windows from your desktop.
How to Use AirPlay from iTunes on Windows
The AirPlay feature in iTunes on Windows or Mac allows you to stream music or video to any AirPlay-compatible speaker or display. Using the feature is straightforward and only requires a few clicks.
To AirPlay from iTunes on Windows, use these steps:
- Launch iTunes on your Windows PC and ensure it is up to date.
- Click the AirPlay button to the right of the Volume slider.
- Select the device you want to send the audio stream to.
- In this example, we are streaming from Windows PC in a home office to an Apple TV in the living room. If you’re connecting to a display or video streaming device, an AirPlay code will appear on the screen.
- Enter the AirPlay code from your TV or other display if required in the AirPlay Code dialog in iTunes, and click OK.
The music will start playing on the other AirPlay device. You will know it’s connected when the AirPlay button on iTunes turns blue.
Now, it’s important to note that the AirPlay on iTunes for Windows feature can be buggy. For example, we received several errors while attempting to AirPlay to various compatible devices. Also, if you have an AirPlay-capable smart TV, ensure the AirPlay feature is turned on first.
You might receive errors like the device isn’t properly configured or is currently busy. And streaming video – even to an Apple TV – was all but impossible. You will have much better luck using AirPlay on your iPhone than via iTunes on Windows.
You can’t get your full PC system’s audio to stream to an AirPlay device. You would need an app like AirParrot that better mirrors your Windows display to Apple TV.
Still, it’s something you might not have noticed before, and you might want to play around with it. It does a good job of sending your music and other audio to different AirPlay-compatible devices throughout your home.
Getting More from Apple AirPlay
While the AirPlay on iTunes feature is sketchy, it works great on other devices, and you can get more from the wireless media streaming technology.
For example, you might want to AirPlay from your iPhone to Mac or turn off AirPlay after you are done streaming. Or, if you want to put your geek hat on, check out how to AirPlay music and video from iPhone to Xbox.
As we noted at the beginning of this article, Google also has its Chromecast streaming technology. You might want to learn to get Apple TV on Chromecast.
