Airplaying youtube on iOS Safari to 4th gen AppleTV is low quality (360p)

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jonogunn Author

Level 1

4 points

Airplaying youtube on iOS Safari to 4th gen AppleTV is low quality (360p)

My AppleTV is 4th gen ethernet version and hardwired into my router.

I'm using an iPhone 12 mini and I'm right next to my AppleTV, TV, and router.

When I go to youtube via Safari it streams just fine on my phone with several resolution options.

Once I airplay to my AppleTV the quality drops to 360p and that is the only option on youtube to select.

I'm tried the usual stuff like restarting my phone, AppleTV, and internet but its's still like this.

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 18

Posted on Feb 4, 2025 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,848 points

Feb 4, 2025 7:43 AM in response to jonogunn

Does this happen on a video that you are willing to disclose here, so that we can try the same video?

Have you tried streaming using AirPlay from the YouTube app on iPhone? [Use the in-app Chromecast icon for AirPlay as well.] Does it do better from there?

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Answer 2

jonogunn Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 4, 2025 11:50 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Yes here you go:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AzMo-FgRp64&pp=ygUWZmFudGFzdGljIGZvdXIgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

haven't tried the YouTube app yet

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Answer 3

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,848 points

Feb 5, 2025 11:51 AM in response to jonogunn

Yes, I get the same. AirPlay from YT site on iOS Safari browser defaults to 360p. Eww, nobody wants that in 2025.

AirPlay from the iOS YouTube app is in higher quality (up to 1080p for this video), and respects the quality setting ⚙ correctly.

Playback from the tvOS YouTube app wasn’t initially in its highest setting either for me. Not sure why. I don’t recall lowering that, but once changed to 1080p, it’s kinda okay for its purpose. Not a reference quality video by any means (still very low bitrate at ~1.35 Mbps).

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Airplaying youtube on iOS Safari to 4th gen AppleTV is low quality (360p)

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