Airport Extreme And Airplay 2: A Compatible Match?

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a popular WiFi router, but it does not support AirPlay 2. AirPlay 2 is a wireless streaming protocol that allows users to stream music to multiple devices simultaneously. While AirPort Extreme does not support AirPlay 2, Apple's AirPort Express does. AirPort Express is a portable router with a 3.5mm audio jack that can be used to connect to speakers or audio systems. With AirPlay 2 support, users can stream music from their iOS devices to multiple AirPlay 2-enabled devices, such as HomePod, Apple TV, Sonos, and other AirPlay 2 targets.

AirPlay 2 on Airport Express

AirPlay 2 is supported on the AirPort Express, specifically the A1392 AirPort Express 2 2nd gen (2013) model. This is despite the AirPort Express router being discontinued by Apple, which no longer manufactures Airport devices.

To use AirPlay 2 on the AirPort Express, you need to set it up to run on your WiFi network and use a 3.5 mm stereo audio plug, connecting one end to the Express and the other to a music player with a 3.5 mm stereo socket or left and right channel RCA sockets.

Then, play a music source on an Apple device and look for the Airplay icon (three concentric circles with a triangle pointing up at the bottom). Under the Airplay banner, you should see the option "Airplay 2". Select this to replay your music on your newly connected music player.

AirPlay 2 allows you to use multiple playback options. For example, you can have a pair of HomePod speakers playing and also add any other AirPlay 2 device.

AirPlay 2 on HomePod

AirPlay 2 offers wireless streaming of content from Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It enables you to stream a wide range of content from your phone to your Apple TV, certain audio devices, or even compatible televisions.

AirPlay 2 offers multi-room and stereo pairing for HomePod. This means that you can have each speaker play independent audio streams over Wi-Fi without having to use AirPlay at all. To use this feature, you will need Apple Music.

To set up multi-room AirPlay 2 audio and stereo pairing on your HomePod, you will need to make sure that your devices have been updated to iOS 11.4. To update your phone, head over to Settings > General > Software Update. Your HomePod should automatically look for and install the update, but you can also check for updates in the Home app.

Once you have installed the updates, multi-room audio should work right out of the box. Simply head over to your music app of choice on iOS and start playing music over AirPlay. Then, select one of your HomePod devices. AirPlay 2-compatible speakers will appear in the AirPlay pop-up with a small checkbox next to them, allowing you to toggle multiple speakers to play the same song from your iPhone.

To create a stereo pair of two HomePods, go to the Home app, select one of your two HomePods, head into the settings, and hit "Create Stereo Pair." Then, select your second HomePod to create the pair. Once selected, you will be taken to a confirmation screen to ensure that you have the left and right channels chosen properly. After confirmation, your stereo pair will be good to go!

AirPlay 2 on Apple TV-connected speakers

AirPlay 2 is Apple's wireless multi-room audio system, which lets you stream content from iOS devices to AirPlay 2-compatible TVs and products. AirPlay 2 marked Apple's first move into multi-room technology, allowing users to stream music from their iOS device to more than one product.

To use AirPlay 2 on Apple TV-connected speakers, you need to ensure that your iPhone or iPad, and speakers or Apple TV are on the same network.

• Play music on your iPhone or iPad.
• Open Control Centre by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen on iPhone X or later, or iPad. On iPhone 8 or earlier, or iOS 11 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
• Tap AirPlay in the group of controls in the top-right corner.
• Tap each speaker or TV that you want to play the current audio to.

You can also use AirPlay 2 to stream audio from an app on your device. Open the app, tap AirPlay, then select a speaker or multiple speakers.

It's worth noting that the music source and control for AirPlay 2 must be an Apple product. It is not available on Android devices.

Additionally, AirPlay 2 is not just limited to audio. You can also use AirPlay 2 to wirelessly send photos, music, and video clips to your AirPlay 2-compatible TV.

AirPlay 2 on Sonos

AirPlay 2 is Apple's 2nd generation wireless protocol, which allows you to stream music straight from an iOS device to your speakers.

AirPlay 2 is compatible with the following Sonos speakers:

• One
• One SL
• Era 100
• Era 300
• Five
• Roam
• Move
• Move 2
• Beam
• Ray
• Arc
• Playbase
• Amp
• Port
• SYMFONISK Bookshelf (Gen 1)
• SYMFONISK Bookshelf (Gen 2)
• SYMFONISK Floor lamp
• SYMFONISK Picture frame
• SYMFONISK Table lamp (Gen 1)
• SYMFONISK Table lamp (Gen 2)

To set up AirPlay 2 on Sonos, you need to ensure your Sonos app is up to date, and then follow these steps:

• Open the Sonos app and head to System Settings.
• Tap on the settings cog in the top right corner.
• Tap 'Manage' next to 'Your System'.
• Scroll down to 'System Updates' and tap 'Check for Updates'.
• Swipe down from the top right of your iPhone or iPad to launch Control Centre.
• Press the AirPlay icon on the music widget.
• Select the speakers you want to play from.

You can also add your Sonos speakers to the Home app on iOS, which will allow you to ask Siri to play music on your Sonos system. To do this, open the Home app, hit the plus button, tap 'Add Accessory', and then select 'Don't have a Code or Can't Scan'?. You can then add your speakers as a Home device and assign them to a room.

It is worth noting that AirPlay 2 is only compatible with the AirPort Express router, not the AirPort Extreme.

AirPlay 2 on other AirPlay 2 targets

AirPlay 2 is Apple's wireless streaming protocol, which allows you to stream audio and video content from your iOS device to compatible products. While AirPlay 2 is not supported on the Airport Extreme, it is supported on other AirPlay 2 targets, such as:

HomePod and HomePod Mini

Apple's smart speaker, the HomePod, was the first AirPlay 2 device released in 2018. The HomePod Mini is also AirPlay 2 compatible. AirPlay 2 unlocked several features on the HomePod, including multiroom and stereo pairing, allowing you to use separate HomePods as left and right speakers.

Sonos Speakers

Sonos was the first company to deliver the AirPlay 2 update to its existing speakers. The following Sonos speakers support AirPlay 2:

• Sonos One
• Sonos Beam
• Sonos Play:5
• Sonos Playbase
• Sonos Amp
• Sonos Arc
• Sonos Roam
• Sonos Move 2
• Sonos Era 300
• Sonos Era 100

Apple TV

The Apple TV (2015 or newer) running tvOS 11.4 or greater can act as an AirPlay 2 endpoint, allowing you to stream content from your iOS device to your TV.

Third-Party Speakers

In addition to Sonos, many other speaker manufacturers have added AirPlay 2 support to their products, including:

• Bluesound
• Bose
• Denon
• JBL
• Libratone
• Marantz
• Naim
• Yamaha
• Bang & Olufsen
• Bowers & Wilkins
• KEF
• And many more...

TVs

Since 2019, several TV manufacturers have added AirPlay 2 support to their TVs, including LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Amazon, and Roku-powered TVs. This allows you to wirelessly stream photos, music, and videos from your iOS device to your TV.

Frequently asked questions