How to Enable AirPlay on Apple TV Devices Managed with JAMF While Using Kitcast
For users managing their Apple TV devices through Jamf and running the Kitcast app, there might be a need to temporarily interrupt Kitcast's playback to use AirPlay for presentations or other content. After the AirPlay session ends, you would want the device to automatically resume playing content from Kitcast. This guide explains how to set up your Apple TV devices to allow this functionality.
Prerequisites
- Apple TV devices with the Kitcast app installed.
- Jamf Pro for device management.
- AirPlay clients (iOS or macOS devices) on the same network as the Apple TVs.
Note: For detailed instructions on deploying Kitcast to your Apple TV devices using Jamf or other MDM providers, please refer to our guide on Distributing Kitcast Builds Using MDM Providers.
Steps to Configure AirPlay with Kitcast on Jamf-Managed Apple TVs
1. Ensure Kitcast is Deployed via Jamf
Make sure the Kitcast app is properly deployed to your Apple TV devices using Jamf:
- Log in to your Jamf Pro dashboard.
- Navigate to Devices > Mobile Device Apps.
- Click the + button to add a new app.
- Search for Kitcast in the App Store and add it.
- In the Deployment settings, select the target devices or device groups.
- Check Automatically install to push the app to the devices.
For a comprehensive guide on deploying Kitcast using Jamf, see Distributing Kitcast Builds Using MDM Providers.
2. Allow AirPlay Connections
To let AirPlay interrupt Kitcast's playback:
- In Jamf, go to Devices > Configuration Profiles.
- Create a new profile or edit an existing one applied to your Apple TVs.
- Select tvOS as the platform.
- Navigate to AirPlay settings.
- Ensure that Allow AirPlay is enabled.
- Configure AirPlay Security as needed:
- Password: Requires a password for AirPlay connections.
- Conference Room Display: Displays instructions for connecting via AirPlay.
- Save and apply the profile to your devices.
3. Configure Device Settings for AirPlay
Ensure that your Apple TV devices are set up to prioritize AirPlay sessions:
- Verify that your Apple TVs are running tvOS 11.2 or later.
- In the configuration profile, check for any restrictions that might prevent AirPlay from interrupting running apps.
- Make sure that the option to disable AirPlay is not enabled.
4. (Optional) Configuring Single App Mode
If you have Single App Mode enabled on your devices to lock them to Kitcast, additional configuration is needed to allow AirPlay:
- In the configuration profile, navigate to Restrictions > Applications.
- Enable Single App Mode and select Kitcast as the designated app.
- Ensure that the setting Disable AirPlay while in Single App Mode is not enabled. This allows AirPlay to interrupt Kitcast even when Single App Mode is active.
- Save and apply the profile to your devices.
5. Test the Configuration
- On an iOS or macOS device, open the AirPlay menu and select your Apple TV.
- Start an AirPlay session by streaming content.
- The Apple TV should interrupt Kitcast and display the AirPlay content.
- After ending the AirPlay session, the Apple TV should automatically return to Kitcast and resume playback.
Additional Tips
- Regular Updates: Keep your Apple TV devices updated to the latest tvOS version for optimal performance and security.
- Network Configuration: Ensure that your network allows for AirPlay discovery and connectivity between client devices and Apple TVs.
- Security Considerations: Set appropriate security measures for AirPlay to prevent unauthorized access.
- Monitoring: Use Jamf's monitoring features to keep track of device statuses and receive alerts for any issues.
Conclusion
By configuring your Apple TV devices managed through Jamf as described, you can seamlessly use AirPlay to temporarily override Kitcast for presentations or other content. This setup ensures that after the AirPlay session ends, the devices automatically revert to Kitcast without manual intervention. If Single App Mode is enabled, make sure to adjust the settings accordingly to allow AirPlay interruptions.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our support team at support@kitcast.tv.