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I am having a problem with Airplay on ios18 and was wondering if anyone else has seen this, or has a solution. I typically airplay from my iPhone 13 mini to a receiver connected to the network via an Airport Express. The phone shows it is connected via Airplay, but the sound comes from the phone (only). Airplay does seem to work as expected when connected to a HomePod.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 13 mini
DavidWesley wrote:
The Airport Express is not the only or primary wireless router. It is on the same network as the primary wireless router which is connected by fibre to the internet.
Ok, then would it be correct to say that your Express is operating in "Client Mode" with this other wireless router then? If so, then in this case, your iPhone would send the AirPlay stream to the "main" router first, and then, on to the Express. Which exact model is this base station and what version of firmware is it running? The latest was 7.8 which came out years ago, but was problematic with AirPlay 2.
Things seem to work properly with my iPad, it's just the iPhone.
What version of iPadOS is your iPad running?
Thanks for providing the additional information. You're right, the latest (still years old) is 7.8.1.
At this point, I'm at a bit of a loss on why this issue is only specific to your iPhone. Typically, when I have assisted folks with AirPlay issues with the Express base station, it was to ask them to try downgrading to 7.6.9 or 7.6.8, which seemed to resolve the streaming issues. It may be worth a try. AFAIK, 7.8.x added AirPlay 2 functionality and nothing else.
Interestingly, Apple updated (2024) the following support article that states that AirPlay requires a 2nd generation AirPort Express base station: AirPlay system requirements - Apple Support
When I get a chance, I'll see if I still have a 1st gen Express lying around to test this for you. I'll use my 3rd gen iPhone SE, which is running iOS 18, for the test.
Is this AirPort Express the only wireless router in your current network configuration? If not, please provide a bit more detail on how this base station is connected to another router.
Typically, when you use AirPlay, the audio is sent directly from your iPhone to the Express, then to an audio playback device.
The Airport Express is not the only or primary wireless router. It is on the same network as the primary wireless router which is connected by fibre to the internet. I've been using this setup for many years now and it always well until iOS 18. Occasionally it would say it can't see the Express but wouldn't then indicate it was connected to it, but rather that it couldn't connect to it. With iOS 18, it is showing that it is connected to it on AirPlay, but it isn't ― the sound is still coming out of the iPhone. I've disconnected and reconnected, shutdown and restarted the phone, and it's persistent saying it's connected to the Express, but not playing through the connected receiver, but through the iPhone.
Things seem to work properly with my iPad, it's just the iPhone.
The Airport Express model is Airport Express 802.11n (1st Generation) firmware version 7.8.1. The iPad is running iPadOS 18.0. Yes, the Express is operating in client mode.
As mentioned, AirPlay works fine from the iPad, and it also works fine from my AppleTV (tvOS 18). It's just the iPhone and just since upgrading to iOS 18.0.
I can confirm that my AirPort Express has also quit playing audio from my iPhone 13 Pro running iOS 18.0.1. Using AirPlay from my 2018 iPad Pro 12 running 18.0.1 plays fine.
I’ve rebooted express multiple times. No go…quite strange.
It pretends to play but no sound
2nd generation express too. Only sound from iPad not from iPhone.
bummer!
The latest beta of 18.1 solves the issue
Why is Airplay not transmitting sound from my iPhone running iOS 18?
