Hidden AirPlay feature in the AppleTV 6.1 (iOS 7.1) update

Here’s one that will make educators and education network administrators realllllly happy. There’s a hidden gem in the AppleTV 6.1 update that was released today. In addition to Bonjour over UDP negotiation for AirPlay, iOS 7.1 devices will also look for AirPlay sources using Bonjour over bluetooth when doing its scan! This means you do NOT need bonjour over UDP for AirPlay -discovery-. Once the host is discovered, AirPlay data is then transmitted over the normal network. UPDATE! This requires devices that support Bluetooth 4.0. See the end of the article for a list. Requirements: 1) Apple TV with version 6.1 (released 3/10/14) 2) iOS device with version 7.1 (released 3/10/14) 3) IP connectivity between the two devices 4) Bluetooth 4.0 compatible devices I tried a Mac with 10.9.2 and it didn’t see the AppleTV as an AirPlay source over bluetooth. That may be coming in a future update. Make sure your AppleTV is updated to 6.1. You can see that this AppleTV is on an ethernet connection with a 10.10.X.X subnet IP Address. Also make sure bluetooth is ON on your AppleTV.   As you can see on my iOS device, it’s on a Wifi network with a 10.6.X.X subnet address. This VLAN does not have bonjour enabled at all. However, it is routable to the 10.10.X.X subnet. Also make sure bluetooth is enabled on your iOS device.   When I click on AirPlay, it sees the AppleTV -over bluetooth-!!!!   iPad running 7.1 airplaying to an Apple TV.   List of iOS devices that Support BT 4.0: iPhone 4S iPhone 5 iPhone 5C iPhone 5S iPod Touch 5th Gen iPad 3rd Gen iPad 4th Gen iPad Air iPad Mini 1st Gen iPad Mini 2nd Gen AppleTV 3rd Gen AppleTV 3rd Gen Rev A

Derick Okihara

Mac and iOS systems integrator for a private K-12 school in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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