How To Connect MacBook To TV - Mirror Mac To TV, by GuideRealm on YouTube. 4 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Check the ports on your MacBook. Models from 2016 onward usually have only USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, so you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. Older MacBooks with a built-in HDMI port need only a cable.
Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the TV, then connect the other end to your adapter or directly to the MacBook. Note which HDMI port number you used.
Turn on the TV and press the Input or Source button on the remote. Pick the HDMI port you plugged into. The Mac screen should appear within a few seconds.
If nothing shows, open the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Displays. Hold the Option key to reveal the Detect Displays button and click it.
Choose how to use the screen in System Settings, Displays. Mirror Display copies your Mac screen to the TV. Extend Display gives you a second desktop you can drag windows onto.
Set a comfortable resolution. In Displays, click your TV, then pick Default or a Scaled option that fits the screen without making text tiny.
Send sound to the TV. Open Control Center, click Sound, and choose the TV name from the output list. Adjust the volume with the TV remote.
To go wireless, connect the Mac and an Apple TV or AirPlay 2 TV to the same Wi-Fi. Open Control Center, click Screen Mirroring, then pick the TV from the list.
To stop, click Screen Mirroring in Control Center and choose Stop Mirroring, or unplug the cable. Your Mac switches back to its own display.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a certified HDMI cable, and pick an HDMI 2.0 cable or better if you want 4K video.
If the picture looks soft or stretched, change the resolution on the TV rather than zooming the Mac display.
AirPlay can lag by about a second, so use a cable for games or any work that needs tight timing.
If the TV shows no signal, try another HDMI port and push both cable ends in firmly.
Questions
Why does my TV say no signal?
The TV is usually on the wrong input or a cable end is loose. Check the HDMI number on the TV and reseat both ends of the cable.
Can I mirror my Mac without a cable?
Yes, if you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2 TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center, click Screen Mirroring and pick the TV.
Do I need a special adapter?
For USB-C MacBooks, any USB-C to HDMI adapter works. Choose one that supports 4K at 60Hz if you want sharp video on a 4K TV.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
