Using AirPlay with WiiM Ultra via Aircast (AirPlay → Chromecast workaround)

[AssafAviv]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a solution I’ve been using for the WiiM Ultra that helps get AirPlay streaming working, even though the device doesn’t natively support AirPlay for music (unlike the WiiM Mini which does support it).

As many of you know, the WiiM Ultra can stream using Chromecast, but there’s no built-in AirPlay receiver. If you’re like me and you want to stream from AirPlay-only sources (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.) to the WiiM Ultra, there’s a really handy tool called Aircast that fills exactly that gap:

Aircast on GitHub: https://github.com/ains/aircast

What it does:
Aircast runs on a local machine (anywhere you can install it — I’m currently running it on Home Assistant). It listens for incoming AirPlay streams and then immediately re-broadcasts them via Chromecast to your target device (in this case, the WiiM Ultra).

So basically:
AirPlay source (iPhone/Mac) → Aircast (runs locally) → Chromecast output → WiiM Ultra

This means that even though the WiiM Ultra doesn’t speak AirPlay directly, you can still stream from AirPlay-capable apps and devices with basically no delays or major loss in quality.

How I’m running it:
I have Aircast installed on my Home Assistant instance, and it works great — it auto-detects AirPlay streams, converts on the fly, and casts right over to the WiiM Ultra without any extra steps once it’s set up.

Pros:
✔ Lets you use AirPlay with WiiM Ultra
✔ Runs headlessly in the background
✔ Chromecast integration stays native for the Ultra

Cons:
Requires a separate machine/server to run Aircast

A bit of initial setup if you’re new to Home Assistant or similar environments

If anyone wants help with the setup or config I’m using, feel free to ask

Hope this helps people trying to bridge the AirPlay → Chromecast gap with WiiM

 

[Burnside]

You mean like this?

Thread 'AirConnect: Send audio to UPnP/Sonos/Chromecast players using AirPlay'

Aug 30, 2024

Didn't quite know which subforum to post this in, so general thoughts it is...

AirConnect is a package developed by philippe44 who is pretty well known in LMS circles for his 'bridge' plugins which allow the transfer of audio between different protocols. This particular bridge allows UPnP devices (like WiiM devices) to appear as Airplay 1 endpoints so may be of interest to those who want lossless CD quality transmission from Apple Music, or indeed for those who want a certain recent WiiM device (I'll let you guess which one ) to appear as an Airplay target. Note that as it's only...

• Burnside
• airplay
• Replies: 33
• Forum: General thoughts for WiiM

• 

 

[Burnside]

I’d suggest you may be better off bridging to the Ultra as a upnp device as bridging over Chromecast may not be gapless and there have been issues with some services and Google Castlite V2 that the ultra uses.

 

[Aquaman]

No need to bridge at all using UPnP.
Foobar mobile can cast to any UPnP renderer directly. I‘m sure there are other music apps that also do that.
The only downside with Foobar mobile is that the volume control will have no effect on the receiving unit.

 

[Burnside]

No need to bridge at all using UPnP.
Foobar mobile can cast to any UPnP renderer directly. I‘m sure there are other music apps that also do that.
The only downside with Foobar mobile is that the volume control will have no effect on the receiving unit.

I think you’re missing the point of these “bridge plugins” - it’s to allow WiiM devices that don’t support AirPlay to appear as AirPlay 1 targets. Once the bridge accepts the AirPlay stream, it then forwards that over Chromecast or UpNp to the WiiM device.

 

[Aquaman]

I think you’re missing the point of these “bridge plugins” - it’s to allow WiiM devices that don’t support AirPlay to appear as AirPlay 1 targets. Once the bridge accepts the AirPlay stream, it then forwards that over Chromecast or UpNp to the WiiM device.

I have understood that very well.
But what‘s the point of using Airplay by all means when you can cast via UPnP?

 

[Burnside]

I have understood that very well.
But what‘s the point of using Airplay by all means when you can cast via UPnP?

How does that help me if I’m using the Apple Music app on my iPad and want to send audio to my Ultra? How do I cast upnp from that?

 

[Aquaman]

How does that help me if I’m using the Apple Music app on my iPad and want to send audio to my Ultra? How do I cast upnp from that?

Point taken. Hadn‘t thought about that.
I so focused on local music …

 

[AssafAviv]

As you can all see, I have these AirPlay instances.

 

[cristoo]

I understand that one have to have pc-like machine that is always on to make it work. Am I right ?

 

[Burnside]

I understand that one have to have pc-like machine that is always on to make it work. Am I right ?

Yes, as per the link in comment #2, you need a “server” of some sort whether that be for example a PC, raspberry Pi or a NAS.

 

[AssafAviv]

This is the reason I mentioned that it can be installed on a Home Assistant machine that is always on.

 

[gcsa]

Having discovered airconnect from this thread I gave it a try and so far it appears to do the trick. I am aware of the author's LMS plugins already as I am entrenched in that joyous infrastructure at home.
My Linux media server VM runs on my NAS and this was an easy addition.
Thanks for the heads up on this.
So, Airplay is at the moment now off my wishlist for the Ultra V2. Mind you, it's only my kids that want it lol.