Before diving into the search for alternatives to AirPlay for Android, it is essential to understand how this technology developed by Apple works. AirPlay debuted more than a decade ago as a proprietary protocol designed to send multimedia content wirelessly between Apple devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, and compatible receivers like Apple TV, speakers, and smart TVs. Although Apple has begun to slightly open up its ecosystem by allowing some manufacturers to integrate AirPlay into their products, it's still a restricted solution compared to open standards.
Many users are looking for applications that allow them to enjoy AirPlay from an Android device to take advantage of your Apple TV or compatible speakers and TVs. However, it's essential to know exactly What is AirPlay? and what are the most fluid, efficient, and simple equivalent or alternative options for Android.
What is AirPlay? Features and How It Works
AirPlay is a wireless communication and streaming protocol created by Apple, which makes it possible Stream audio, photos, and videos in high quality between Apple devices and compatible receivers. With the arrival of AirPlay 2, the ability to send different content to multiple devices (such as speakers, televisions or Apple TVs) simultaneously from the same transmitting device.
In essence, AirPlay performs very similar functions to those of G, Miracast y DLNA, the most widely used protocols in the Android ecosystem and among various manufacturers. However, while open standards allow for broad interoperability, AirPlay remains primarily focused on devices within the Apple universe and a few authorized manufacturers.
Therefore, if you have a TV, speaker, or receiver that supports AirPlay and you don't have an Apple TV, it's likely that it also supports Google Cast, Miracast, or DLNA. So looking for alternatives to AirPlay might be pointless if you can use Google Cast or Miracast directly from Android without the need for additional applications.
However, if your goal is Stream audio, photos, or video to a receiver that only supports AirPlay, it will be necessary to look for specific apps or solutions. Keep in mind that none of them are officially licensed, so integration is often limited and the quality is far from that of an original transmission.
Protocols and technologies equivalent to AirPlay on Android
There are several widely used and supported technologies on Android for sharing and streaming multimedia content between devices, perfectly valid as equivalents of AirPlay, with their own advantages in compatibility, ease of use, and streaming quality:
- Google Cast (Chromecast): Google's native standard for streaming from Android to TVs and speakers.
- Miracast: Allows screen mirroring or duplication on televisions and other devices without additional installations.
- DLNA: Network protocol for sharing multimedia files between multiple devices connected to the same local network.
- Cable solutions: Use USB-C or microUSB cables with HDMI output to display mobile content on an external display.
- Screen mirroring and remote control apps: Advanced apps that offer screen mirroring, remote control, and more.
Google Cast: Android's native alternative to AirPlay
G is the wireless transmission protocol developed by Google and widely adopted on Android devices. It is implemented in both chromecast as in televisions with Android TV, smart speakers and a host of products from different manufacturers.
This technology allows you project the screen, stream videos, music and photos from your Android phone directly to your TV or other receivers. Like AirPlay, it supports both mirroring (screen mirroring) such as casting specific content from supported apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+, or games.
Google Cast combines the best of previous standards such as Miracast and DLNA, but it stands out for its seamless integration with Android, ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of applications. If your TV or receiver is compatible, it's the easiest, most stable, and most recommended option.
Miracast: Universal Wireless Screen Mirroring
Miracast It is a standard promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Its main function is to allow the Screen mirroring from one device to another via Wi-Fi Direct, i.e. without the need for a router or Internet connection.
Allows you to transmit video in Full HD quality and surround sound, which is very useful for viewing photos, videos, or games on the big screen. However, its usefulness was limited mainly by the need to have the mobile screen always on during streaming and due to some compatibility issues between device and TV brands.
It doesn't require additional apps in many cases, as it comes natively integrated into the Android system and many TVs and dongles. However, It is not the best option for sending audio only. or app-specific content, but is essentially used for full screen mirroring.
DLNA: Sharing multimedia files on the network
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a free protocol that allows Share media files between devices connected to the same local Wi-Fi or cable networkIt is commonly supported by televisions, consoles, computers, NAS, and many other devices, especially those of recent generations.
This technology facilitates the remote access to videos, photos and music stored on a mobile device, external storage drive, or network, to play them on another device such as a smart TV without installing additional apps or cables. DLNA is ideal for those who want to play content without worrying about screen mirroring, although Does not support sending a separate audio source or full mirroring.
Wired solutions: USB-C, microUSB, and HDMI
The simplest and most economical option to stream content from an Android mobile to TV is a USB-C to HDMI cable (or microUSB with MHL support on older models). It requires no complicated setup, apps, or WiFi, offering maximum image quality and no lagThe only limitation is the physical distance allowed by the cable and the need for the phone to support video output through that port, so it's always a good idea to consult the manufacturer's documentation before purchasing a cable.
Other very interesting options: PC connected to the TV
If you have a computer connected to your TV, you can use it as a receiver to mirror the screen of your Android phone without the need for additional hardware. There are free and paid software options that enable this feature:
- 5K Player: Free solution for Windows and Mac that can receive mobile screens via AirPlay, DLNA, and Miracast.
- AirServer: Professional paid software with very high quality streaming and screen recordingAlso compatible with Windows Store. Especially recommended if you want stability and advanced support.
Both options allow you to enjoy Videos, photos, games and even presentations from your mobile phone on a big screen, with hardly any interruptions or perceptible lag.
Android apps to connect with AirPlay and other alternatives
In addition to native standards, there are dozens of mobile applications that allow you to take advantage of many of AirPlay's features, whether to send content to an Apple TV or compatible receivers, or to mirror and stream to multiple platforms. Below is an expanded and detailed selection of the Best alternatives and apps for Android with support for AirPlay and similar technologies:
- Double Twist & AirSyncThis app is known for its ability to sync with iTunes and stream media between Android and Apple TV. It includes AirPlay support with the purchase of the AirSync add-on, allowing you to play photos, videos, and music on Apple devices over the same Wi-Fi network. It requires the installation of a free desktop assistant.
- iMediaShare Lite: A free app that makes it easy to stream music, photos, and videos directly from Android to Apple TV if both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. It's ideal for those looking for easy compatibility with online sites and content platforms.
- Twonky Beam: A free app that lets you send audio, video, and photos to your Apple TV or any other compatible device. It offers access to media stored on your PC and AirPlay-like mirroring.
- AllShare: Available on Samsung devices, this built-in app allows you to connect and stream media content from other Android devices to your own Android or Apple TV. It's optimized for users in the Samsung ecosystem.
- Android HiFi and AirBubbleThese solutions turn your Android phone into an AirPlay receiver, allowing you to receive audio content from iTunes or other iOS devices. Android HiFi is free, while the full AirBubble version is paid.
- Zappo TV: Online multimedia service with apps for multiple platforms (Apple TV, WD TV Live, Samsung, Sony, LG). It allows easy access, although quality and experience may vary depending on the hardware used.
- AirPlay & DLNA Player: This is a free player that combines DLNA, UPnP, and AirPlay support to stream content between Android, iOS, and Apple TV devices.
- AllCast: An extremely popular app that lets you stream photos, music, and videos from your Android to a wide variety of devices: Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox, Smart TVs, and more. It supports cloud storage services (Drive, Dropbox) and works over Wi-Fi and is ready to detect any compatible device in the vicinity.
- Cast TV (Castify): A versatile app for sending videos, music, photos, and online content to Apple TV devices and other receivers (Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox). It supports playback queues, a variety of formats, and screen mirroring. It allows you to send both local files and web links.
- Stream Phone To TV: Allows you to send video or audio from your Android phone to a TV or AirPlay-compatible device. It also supports screen mirroring, playing both local and web content. It automatically detects available devices on the network.
- Tubium: The ideal option to reproduce online content (streaming, YouTube, etc.) on Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and other devices via the web. It stands out for its expertise in seamlessly sending multimedia web links.
- DS-Video: Perfect for Synology Disk Station users. Allows you to browse, sort, and stream your video collection and TV recordings from your NAS to Android devices and Apple TV. It offers detailed information about each media file.
- AirStreamStream any media from your Android to AirPlay-compatible receivers. In some cases, root access and a small fee may be required to unlock all of its advanced features.
- Airscreen: This app acts as a universal receiver compatible with AirPlay, Cast, Miracast and DLNA. It only needs to be installed on the receiving device (e.g., Android TV, box, tablet), allowing you to receive content from iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and more. It includes features such as screen recording, hardware video acceleration, 4K support, encryption security, and advanced customization options. It's one of the most comprehensive and recommended options when looking for maximum compatibility and ease of use.
Points to consider when choosing an alternative to AirPlay on Android
The variety of options is vast, so before deciding which protocol, app, or solution to implement, it's a good idea to consider these key questions:
- Compatibility: Check that both the transmitter and receiver support the chosen standards (Google Cast, DLNA, Miracast, AirPlay, etc.).
- Type of content: Some methods only allow you to mirror the entire screen, others only allow you to send specific media (audio, photos, video).
- Quality and stability: Native solutions typically offer better quality; third-party apps may experience limitations, lag, or lower resolution.
- Easy to use: Consider the need to install additional software and the complexity of the process, especially if it will be used by non-technical people.
- Budget: There are free options and paid options that offer more features or better performance.
- Additional hardware required: Some methods require external devices (Chromecast, cables, Android box, etc.), but others only require a mobile phone and Wi-Fi.
With this range of options, choosing the best option for streaming or mirroring your Android screen to a device like Apple TV, Smart TV, or any other multimedia receiver is becoming easier. Apps and technologies have evolved to cover almost any scenario, from gaming to multimedia viewing, including presentations and remote control.
