How to Connect MacBook to TV – Wired and Wirelessly

You don’t necessarily need an Apple TV to use apps like FaceTime or Zoom on a bigger screen. Instead, you can also connect your MacBook or iMac using a cable or wirelessly to your Smart TV. This is helpful in making presentations or just reviewing something with your peers at your workplace. You can also enjoy your TV’s bigger screen as a secondary monitor with your MacBook.

In this post, we will show you the steps to connect your MacBook to a TV either using a cable or wirelessly. Please note that establishing a wireless connection might not be possible on older TV models. You will need a streaming device like Apple TV or Chromecast with Google TV for the same.

1. Connect MacBook to TV Using HDMI Cable

Let us start by showing you how to use an HDMI cable to connect your MacBook to your TV. You will also be able to receive audio output straight from your TV. That said, using a wired connection also depends on the ports provided on your MacBook model.

If you have a MacBook with an HDMI port, you can use an HDMI to HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV.

For MacBooks with USB Type-C ports or Thunderbolt ports, users can employ a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter to make the connection.

If your MacBook model has a Mini DisplayPort, you can use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.

After connecting your MacBook, it is important to check the output resolution and audio device. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar on your Mac to open Spotlight Search, type Settings, and press Return.

Step 2: Click on Displays from the left menu.

Step 3: You can click the dropdown menu next to ‘Optimize For’ and select your MacBook model name.

This will calibrate the output on your TV as per your MacBook’s screen resolution.

To get more options for resolution, click on Advanced at the bottom.

Enable the option of ‘Show Resolution as List’.

You will now see more options for resolution.

Step 4: Click on Sound from the left menu. Then, click on TV Monitor to select it as your Output device.

2. Connect MacBook to TV Using AirPlay

Apple’s AirPlay functionality is available for various Apple TV models and on other Smart TVs from the likes of Sony and LG. Note that a TV needs to support AirPlay for it to work. As such, we recommend checking your TV manufacturer’s support page for confirmation. With that out of the way, here’s how to connect your MacBook wirelessly using AirPlay.

Step 1: On your Mac, click the Control Center icon at the top-right corner.

Step 2: Click on Screen Mirroring.

Step 3: Select the name of your Apple TV model or your Smart TV model that supports AirPlay.

Step 4: Once your TV display starts mirroring your MacBook home screen, open Settings on your MacBook.

Step 5: Click on Display from the left menu.

Step 6: Click the dropdown menu next to ‘Optimize For’ and select your MacBook to change the output resolution.

Once again, you can browse through the resolution list in Advanced options and choose from the available options.

You can also refer to our post in case AirPlay is not working on your Apple TV or Samsung TV.

3. Connect MacBook to TV Using Screen Cast

You can also use the Screen Cast feature on your Android TV or Chromecast with Google TV to connect your MacBook wirelessly. This feature can be used especially while watching videos on your web browser. We recommend using the Google Chrome browser for the same.

Step 1: Open the browser and start playing a video on YouTube.

Step 2: Click the Screen Cast icon on the right side of the playback controls.

Step 3: Select your Android TV to start casting the video.

You can click the Screen Cast option again and select Stop Casting from the top-right corner if you wish to stop casting to your TV.

Here’s how you can cast your entire screen.

Step 1: Open Chrome on your Mac and click the three dots in the top-right corner.

Step 2: Select Cast from the list of options.

Step 3: Click the Sources option.

Step 4: Select Cast Screen.

Step 5: Click on your TV model name to start casting your MacBook screen.

Once again, you can change the resolution and audio output in the Settings window on your Mac. You can stop casting your MacBook screen by selecting your TV model name again.

Connect Your MacBook to TV

These steps will help you connect your MacBook to your TV. Whether you prefer the wired approach or wish to make the most of Apple’s AirPlay technology, simply follow the steps and enjoy viewing your MacBook’s contents on a bigger screen. What’s interesting is that you can also mirror your iPhone screen to your Mac and revel in consuming media on a larger screen. Do let us know which option worked for you in the comments below.