When was the last time you watched a movie or played a game on your MacBook®? Be honest—did you ever dream about supersizing your screen and connecting your laptop to your smart TV?
Usually you don't have to—the apps on your television work great. But there are instances in which that's not possible—like if you're staying at a hotel or Airbnb® and don't have access to (or don't want to use) your account.
Fortunately, connecting your MacBook Pro® or MacBook Air® to your TV is easy. We'll walk you through a few simple steps.
How to connect your MacBook to your smart TV wirelessly
The easiest way to connect your MacBook and your smart TV wirelessly is if both devices have AirPlay®, a feature that lets Apple® gadgets share videos, images, and music between devices. AirPlay-compatible TVs include Apple TV® or any LG®, Samsung®, Sony®, or Vizio® televisions made in 2019 or later.
You can use AirPlay to turn your television into a second monitor or to stream your MacBook screen onto your smart TV. Here's how:
- Make sure your MacBook and your AirPlay-enabled smart TV are on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your MacBook, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Control Center in the sidebar.
- Click the Screen Mirroring icon, then choose your TV. (You may be prompted to enter a four-digit code on your Mac).
- To set your TV to show exactly what's on your Mac screen, click the Screen Mirroring icon.
- To set up your TV as a second monitor, click the Use As Separate Display icon.
To end your streaming session, clickScreen Mirroringand then chooseStop Mirroring.
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How to connect your MacBook to your TV with an HDMI cable
A simple and reliable way to connect your TV and MacBook is with an HDMI cable. This cord transmits audio and video signals between your two devices. HDMI cables are the same on both ends, so it doesn't matter which end you plug into the TV or your computer.
Follow these steps:
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI output on your MacBook, if one is available. If your MacBook model has only USB-C ports, you may need to use a USB-C to HDMI cable.
- Plug the other end of the cable into one of the HDMI inputs on your TV.
- Using your TV remote control, select the input that corresponds to the HDMI port where you plugged in the cable (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, etc.)
If your Mac uses a video port that's not available on your TV, like a Thunderbolt port or a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port, you can use an adapter to connect your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air to your TV.
Simply connect your HDMI cable to the adapter, then plug the cable into the port. Now you're ready to enjoy all the advantages of the big screen.
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FAQs
Follow these steps: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI output on your MacBook, if one is available. If your MacBook model has only USB-C ports, you may need to use a USB-C to HDMI cable. Plug the other end of the cable into one of the HDMI inputs on your TV.
Can you connect a MacBook Air to a TV? ›
To connect your Mac to your TV, you need a video cable that connects your computer's display port to the video input port on your TV. If you can't find a cable that connects the ports on your Mac and TV, you may need an adapter for the cable. (You can also use AirPlay.
What do I need to connect my MacBook Pro to my TV? ›
Mac computers can use an HDMI cable or adapter to connect to a TV, display or other HDMI device.
Why is my Mac not connecting to my TV via HDMI? ›
Your Mac might not connect to your TV through HDMI due to a number of reasons. These could involve physical connection problems, like a faulty HDMI cable or port, or software issues like incompatible display settings.
How to connect Apple MacBook Pro to Samsung Smart TV? ›
Make sure your Mac and TV are connected to the same network and have Bluetooth turned on.
- 1 Select Screen Mirroring in The Control Center.
- 2 Select the TV model you want to connect to from the screen mirroring list.
- 3 Enter the password displayed on the TV screen into your Mac and press the Ok button.
To connect a MacBook to a TV using Airplay, first set up your Apple TV on your TV. Make sure both Apple TV and your Mac laptop are on the same Wi-Fi before you proceed. Then, select the AirPlay icon in your menu bar.
How do I mirror my MacBook Air to my TV without Apple TV? ›
The very best way to cast your Macbook to TV is through a third-party app that uses screen mirroring technology, like MirrorMeister. With the MirrorMeister app, you can connect your Mac to TV or streaming devices, without needing any extra hardware or cables. This unique app works on every TV!
Why does my TV say no signal when HDMI is plugged in? ›
TV displays "No Signal" or "HDMI Cable Disconnected" error messages. If an error message appears on your screen when an external device is connected to your TV via HDMI, it may mean that your HDMI cable is not properly connected, or that input is not being received from the currently selected source.
How do I get my Mac to show HDMI on my TV? ›
Connect to HDMI from your Mac
- HDMI port: Connect directly to HDMI with an HDMI cable. ...
- Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port: Connect to HDMI with an adapter such as the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Press and hold the Option key to make the Detect Displays button appear in place of the Night Shift button, then click Detect Displays.
Check the TV menu for AirPlay settings.
If the AirPlay option is missing, this means the application has not been downloaded from the Samsung server. To fix this, perform a Smart Hub reset (see instructions in step 3), and make sure to agree to the Terms and Conditions.
How do I mirror my Mac to my TV? ›
On your Mac, click Control Centre in the menu bar, click Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV or smart TV. See Use AirPlay to stream what's on your Mac to an HDTV. If your Mac and other Apple devices support AirPlay to Mac, you can listen to audio and play video from another device on your Mac.
How do I mirror my laptop to my TV? ›
Connect your Windows PC to an external display that supports Miracast
- Turn on your TV or projector. ...
- On your PC, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
- On right side of the taskbar, select the Network icon > Cast > pick your display or adapter.
- Follow any additional instructions on the screen.
Open the Apple TV app on your Mac. Click Home. Scroll down to view Apple TV+, Apple TV channels, or featured movies and TV shows, then select an item.
Can I use my MacBook as a monitor? ›
Yes, you can use your Macbook as a monitor for other devices, such as PCs or other Macs. However, it cannot be used as a second monitor through a direct cable connection due to hardware limitations.
Do macbooks have HDMI ports? ›
These Mac models have an HDMI port: 14-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later. 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later. 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015.
How do I connect my laptop to my TV without HDMI? ›
If you don't have an HDMI port, then can use a VGA (D-Sub) cable. VGA only carries video so you'll need to use a 3.5mm audio port to send audio from your laptop to the TV, or external speakers. In the case of the TV not supporting VGA, you'll have to make use of an adaptor.
