How to fix connection issues between AirPlay and Apple TV after iOS 18.6 update?

Hello everyone,

I manage several schools with a total of around 200 Apple TVs and more than 2000 iPads. In our schools, we use projectors that are connected to Apple TVs running offline (not on the network, tvOS ~17.x). Since the end of the holidays, we’ve been experiencing increasing connection issues.

The problems are irregular and vary depending on both the devices and the rooms (i.e. the Apple TV units). For example, a teacher might not be able to connect in Room A, but can connect in Room B. Meanwhile, another teacher can immediately connect successfully in Room A, right after the first teacher’s failed attempt.

During the holidays, iOS 18.6 was released, so I strongly suspect a correlation here, especially since we already experienced similar issues back with iOS 18.4. Have you experienced similar issues, or do you know of any possible solutions? Updating the Apple TVs is only planned with the release of version 26, as it hasn’t been necessary in the past and would be extremely time-consuming (unfortunately, we’re stuck with a poor MDM solution for Apple TVs). The affected devices are 9th and 10th generation iPads.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iOS 18.6 Airplay with Apple TV