Do I need internet to use an Apple TV?

[8.Lug]

All I plan to use it for is to mirror my phone screen so I can play one game on my phone - using my phone like a console - that's it. I do have tethering data on my mobile plan but it's ridiculously slow and may as well not be there, so that's out of the question - the Apple TV needs to function offline.

 

[Juicy Box]

I don't think you need internet to do AirPlay, but internet might be needed to do the initial set up on the ATV4 and ATV4K. I think the ATV3 can be set up without internet.

You will need to be on a network though.

 

[hinesmj]

All I plan to use it for is to mirror my phone screen so I can play one game on my phone - using my phone like a console - that's it. I do have tethering data on my mobile plan but it's ridiculously slow and may as well not be there, so that's out of the question - the Apple TV needs to function offline.

You need to have a wireless LAN, but that LAN doesn't necessarily need to be connected to the internet. So you should be good.

 

[ignatius345]

Does anybody know if AirPlay works over a wireless network without internet?

 

[jole26]

Does anybody know if AirPlay works over a wireless network without internet?

To watch a downloaded itunes movie airplayed to the ATV, the ATV doesn't need an Internet connection. But the device you're airplaying from does. I presume just for authentication.

 

[Tech198]

What about "Activation server" ? i think you can continue when it fails. Home sharing needs Internet connection to set up, as Apple must identify AppleID.


Once signed in, you only need don't need to connect to the internet.

 

[ignatius345]

To watch a downloaded itunes movie airplayed to the ATV, the ATV doesn't need an Internet connection. But the device you're airplaying from does. I presume just for authentication.

So this would work if, say, the user has an iPhone connected to cell service and they want to AirPlay over wifi to an off-internet ATV?

 

[jole26]

So this would work if, say, the user has an iPhone connected to cell service and they want to AirPlay over wifi to an off-internet ATV?

I've only tried it with iPhone connected to wifi/Internet, then iPhone airplay to off-internet ATV.

I don't see why it wouldn't work with iPhone connected to cell/Internet though.

 

[jole26]

So this would work if, say, the user has an iPhone connected to cell service and they want to AirPlay over wifi to an off-internet ATV?

Ok, just tried it with iPhone wifi not connected to internet and just a 3G connection. ATV wifi not connected to internet.

Yup, itunes movie on iPhone airplayed to the ATV just fine and everything worked.

 

[Starfia]

It sounds like a possibility.

Just in case this hasn't occurred to you: there is some appreciable delay when AirPlaying anything – the audio is all nicely synched when playing media, but it could really bother a player with quick action games. If that would matter to you, you'd probably do a lot better (and cheaper) with Apple's AV adapter and an HDMI cable.

 

[ignatius345]

Ok, just tried it with iPhone wifi not connected to internet and just a 3G connection. ATV wifi not connected to internet.

Yup, itunes movie on iPhone airplayed to the ATV just fine and everything worked.

Nice -- thanks for testing.

 

[hdrummon]

Unfortunately, doing so would be a challenge when updates come out to the OS of the ATV. I frequently update as I have a Developer account and updates are frequent. I guess you could on occasion take the ATV somewhere to connect up to the internet and update but what a pain that would be.

 

[8.Lug]

I’m having no luck here. It’s an early 3rd gen A1427. My phone and the device can both see my Bluetooth keyboard however they cannot see each other. The device was pretty adamant about connecting to a network when I first turned it on, but that’s not a possibility. These clearly cannot function offline.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Airplay is too slow for most games.
[doublepost=1539064145][/doublepost]

It sounds like a possibility.

Just in case this hasn't occurred to you: there is some appreciable delay when AirPlaying anything – the audio is all nicely synched when playing media, but it could really bother a player with quick action games. If that would matter to you, you'd probably do a lot better (and cheaper) with Apple's AV adapter and an HDMI cable.

A cable, or get internet and download the game in the AppleTV if it’s available.

Unless you’re playing words with friends, Airplay is not going to be optimal.

 

[8.Lug]

I was going to get the HDMI adapter but when 173 out of 238 reviews are 1 star - you'd have to be a complete fool to buy one.

 

[Starfia]

I was going to get the HDMI adapter but when 173 out of 238 reviews are 1 star - you'd have to be a complete fool to buy one.

I've bought one and it's always been great – that's why I suggested it. Presumably you can return it if you get one that doesn't perform as expected.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I was going to get the HDMI adapter but when 173 out of 238 reviews are 1 star - you'd have to be a complete fool to buy one.

100 percent of the reviews for airplay gaming to an Apple TV are negative due to the lag.

 

[desktop]

How-To Connect Your AppleTV Without WiFi

"Peer-to-peer AirPlay connects your iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV, without requiring them to be connected to the same WiFi network or even connected to ANY WiFi network. Your iDevice turns into a temporary WiFi hotspot, and your Apple TV connects to it and AirPlays your videos, photos, and music."

 

[jole26]

How-To Connect Your AppleTV Without WiFi

"Peer-to-peer AirPlay connects your iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV, without requiring them to be connected to the same WiFi network or even connected to ANY WiFi network. Your iDevice turns into a temporary WiFi hotspot, and your Apple TV connects to it and AirPlays your videos, photos, and music."

I don't think that's quite right. Peer-to-peer is a wifi network itself, it's just not connected to the Internet.

And I don't think the iPhone is acting as a wifi hotspot.