Troubleshooting Constant Disconnection Issues When AirPlaying iPhone 14 Pro Max to M1 MacBook

Have you ever encountered the frustrating issue of your iPhone 14 Pro Max disconnecting when AirPlaying YouTube videos to your M1 MacBook, especially around 10 to 20 minutes in? If so, you’re not alone.

Understanding the Phenomenon

Your iPhone 14 Pro Max may be turning off its Access Point (AP) WiFi beacon. This AP announce beacon is sent every 11 seconds, but if you turn it off, known as “stealth mode,” you might think you've made your network untraceable. However, this isn't as effective as one might think.

Turn off your AP WiFi beacon if you believe it to be the cause, but be aware that this will not serve as a significant security measure. Apple's handling of connection continuity, regardless of the environment, is generally reliable. For example, while streaming from your phone to your AppleTV, you may experience similar disconnections, though using iPhone mirroring can sometimes offer better stability.

Diagnostic Steps and Tips

Since the disconnection appears to happen around 10 to 20 minutes into the video, it's possible that the system might have gone to sleep due to lack of user interaction. To test this theory, try turning off the sleep mode on your M1 MacBook to see if the disconnections persist.

If you still experience the issue, consider using iPhone mirroring instead of AirPlay within the video. The mirroring process may be less prone to disconnections, especially when attempting to insert ad breaks. Streaming the video via mirroring and playing it full screen might help maintain a smoother connection.

Seeking Professional Help

If you’ve tried the suggested diagnostic steps and still can’t find a solution, it might be time to take your devices to an authentic Apple Store. A professional diagnostic can help identify any hardware or software issues that are causing the disconnections. Additionally, Apple support can offer firmware updates, which may address underlying issues that are contributing to the problem.

Remember that while Apple’s stack is highly resilient in maintaining connections, such as corporate LDAP servers or when clamshelling your laptop, other systems might experience longer disconnection times, particularly on Windows machines.

Conclusion

The issue of AirPlay disconnections on iPhone 14 Pro Max to M1 MacBook is indeed a bizarre one. By taking the steps outlined in this article, you can identify potential causes and seek professional help if necessary. If you’ve experienced this issue or have any related questions, feel free to comment below.

Note: AirPlay, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and M1 MacBook are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.