What To Learn
- To use a cable to connect your Macbook to a TV, navigate to the Displays window.
- To wirelessly connect your Mac to an Apple TV, select AirPlay Display from the drop-down menu.
- Consider using the brand’s screen mirroring app to connect your Mac to your smart TV.
More and more people watch movies and TV shows through streaming services these days, so there is less and less difference between a computer and a TV.
But even if you’re watching a Netflix show, your big flat-screen TV is probably going to be a better place to watch it than your computer.
By connecting your Macbook to your TV, you can browse the web on a much larger screen. Using a TV with a Mac can also give you a second screen, which can help you work or play games more efficiently and enjoyably. Most of the time, you can even connect two external TVs or computers at the same time.
Follow these steps to connect your Macbook to a TV, whether you want to use a wired cable or Wi-Fi screen mirroring.
Contents
How to Connect Your MacBook to a TV with a Cable
In most cases, you can hardwire an older Macbook with a Thunderbolt or HDMI output to a modern television; however, you may need an HDMI converter cable if you use the Thunderbolt port.
1. Connect the computer’s output to the TV’s video input.
2. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner, and then select System Preferences.
3. Click Displays.
4. Click Display Settings in the bottom left corner.
5. Select Default for display in the next window, as this is usually the best option.
6. You can also play audio from a Mac via HDMI cable on most HDTVs. System Preferences can be accessed by clicking the Apple logo in the top left corner.
7. Click Sound.
8. Select the connected TV.
Tips: It may be necessary to utilize an additional cable to connect the two devices through the Mac’s headset port to an audio input on older computers and televisions. |
How to Wirelessly Connect a Mac to a Smart TV
An AirPlay-capable smart TV can be connected easily.
1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner, then select System Preferences.
2. Click Displays.
3. Choose your TV from the AirPlay Display menu.
One can establish a wireless connection to a television that does not support AirPlay by utilizing the screen mirroring function.
1. Click Control Center—the icon with two vertically stacked toggles—on the right side of the menu bar at the top.
2. Click Screen Mirroring.
3. Select the TV you want to connect to from the pop-up menu. Almost immediately, your Mac’s screen will be mirrored.
Is it possible to plug a MacBook into my TV?
You can attach your MacBook to an older-model TV or MacBook that lacks AirPlay capabilities using a standard cable. The type of cable required is contingent upon the MacBook model and the specific connections present on the device.
You may also be required to select a cable that establishes a direct connection between your MacBook and your television; for instance, a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable could be your option. Alternatively, you could utilize a port adapter that is compatible with your MacBook and offers adaptive interfaces. For instance, a Thunderbolt adapter that supports HDMI and DVI cables and connects to your Macbook
After connecting, it may be necessary to navigate to Settings > Display in order to optimize the image quality by adjusting the display settings and resolution.
One advantage of establishing a wired connection to your television is that it allows you to shut down your MacBook and utilize the TV as your computer monitor while continuing to use a wireless keyboard and mouse.
FAQs
How do I connect my MacBook to my Windows PC?
To connect AirPlay devices to Windows over Wi-Fi, install iTunes. TuneBlade or Airfoil are applications that can be used to broadcast video. Utilize AirMyPC, AirParrot, AirServer, or X-Mirage to mirror the display.
To access Music, long-press Music in the Control Center, then tap the AirPlay icon and select a device. To mirror your screen, navigate to the Control Center and select Screen Mirroring or AirPlay Mirroring.
Select Mirroring > Disable Mirroring on a Mac. In the Control Center of an iOS device, navigate to Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring. To deactivate AirPlay on your Mac, navigate to Settings > Displays, then select Off from the AirPlay Display drop-down menu.