When Apple released Apple TV software update 7.0 earlier this month, it came with support for new iOS 8 features including the new Peer-to-Peer AirPlay feature. First announced when Apple unveiled iOS 8 earlier this year, Peer-to-Peer AirPlay allows users on iOS 8 and the upcoming OS X Yosemite release to stream content to an Apple TV without having to connect to the same wireless network. What we didn’t know at the time, however, is that the feature is limited to only the latest Apple TV hardware:
Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac device (2012 or later) running OS X 10.10 or an iOS device (2012 or later) running iOS 8 and an Apple TV third-generation rev A (model A1469) running Apple TV software 7.0.
Apple updated a support document and its website days after the Apple TV software released to mention the requirement above. While we already knew the latest Apple TV update was limited to third-gen models, it appears Apple will only offer peer-to-peer AirPlay on model A1469. That’s the refreshed third-gen Apple TV it quietly released in March 2013 with upgraded internals, although it’s unclear exactly why the feature is limited to the newest hardware. At the time, Apple said component changes in its refreshed third-gen Apple TV “don’t affect product features and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience.” The Peer-to-Peer AirPlay requirement makes it the first feature exclusive to the latest 2013 Apple TV hardware.
If you purchased your third-gen Apple TV before then, you’re likely out of luck for the new Peer-to-Peer sharing feature. You can learn how to check which model you have here.
