How to connect a MacBook to a TV

By
Yasya Nazim
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By connecting your MacBook to your TV, you can use your MacBook as a big screen for working, watching movies, playing games, and more. You can do this with a cable that streams video or wirelessly via AirPlay. These are the standard connectivity options, and you can choose the one you prefer, given some nuances AirPLay has appeared in TVs from 2019, but not in all models, so wireless connectivity is only available in newer TV models.
Let’s take a closer look at both options.

Connecting your MacBook to a TV with a cable

Connecting your MacBook to your TV with a cable is easy. Follow these steps to set up your devices:

Choose the right cable or adapter.The type of cable or adapter depends on what ports are available on your MacBook:

  • Modern MacBooks with USB-C ports: Use a USB-C-HDMI cable or a USB-C adapter with HDMI output.
  • MacBooks with an HDMI port: You need a standard HDMI cable.
  • MacBooks with a Mini DisplayPort: You’ll need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
  • MacBooks with a Thunderbolt port: You’ll need an adapter that converts Thunderbolt to HDMI.

Choose the right accessories to match your MacBook’s ports, as the TV only has HDMI ports.

Step-by-step instructions for a wired connection

  • Connect the cable
  • Use your TV’s remote control to select the HDMI input to which your MacBook is connected.
  • Customize the display settings on your MacBook:
    • Open System Preferences → Displays.
    • Adjust the resolution to optimize the picture quality.
  • Select the display mode you want:
    • Mirror Display: Duplicates your MacBook screen on your TV screen.
    • Extended Display: Turns the TV into a second monitor, expanding your workspace.
    • Use the TV as your primary monitor.

Wirelessly connect your MAC to your TV via AirPlay

If your TV supports AirPlay (modern Smart TV), you can connect without cables. AIrPlay uses an IP network to transmit content, so the TV and your MAC must be on the same network, simply put work through a Wi-Fi router.

Steps to connect via AirPlay:

  • On your MacBook, open System Settings → Displays.
  • In the Built-in Display section, select your TV.

Choose a display mode:

  • Mirroring – your MacBook’s screen will be duplicated on your TV.
  • Extended display – the TV will become a second screen.

Alternate method:

  • Open Controls from the menu bar.
  • Click Duplicate Screen and select TV.

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