Even while Apple’s MacBooks are fantastic devices for consuming information, even the most spacious 16-inch MacBook Pro cannot compete with the experience of watching your favorite programs on a television that is rather big. In order to get the most out of your experience, whether you are watching a movie or playing one of the finest Mac games, it is preferable to do it on a large television rather than on a more limited display on a MacBook.
But how exactly does one go about connecting a TV to an Apple laptop? Have you determined that you need a certain model of MacBook or a particular kind of cable? Is it even necessary to take a cable, or is it possible to do it wirelessly? For all of those queries and more, our guide is here to provide answers, so let’s have a look at how everything is done.
How to connect a MacBook to a TV using a cable
With the help of a cable, you can connect your MacBook to a television in one of the simplest methods possible. Nevertheless, despite the fact that this is a rather simple procedure, there are a few essential points that you need to be aware of.
For instance, the most recent MacBook Pro computers come equipped with an HDMI port, and the most of contemporary televisions need to also. It is possible that you will want an adapter in situations when this is not the case, such as when you have a very old television or a MacBook Air.
In the first step of the process, you will need either a Mini DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, or a Thunderbolt cable. Connect the other end of your cable to your television, and then plug the other end into your MacBook.
Step 2: Once you have successfully connected, launch the System Settings app and search for Sound > Output. Make sure that macOS has chosen the output that you want to use (whether it be your television, your MacBook, or a speaker that is linked to your computer).
It is possible that you may need to alter the resolution of your television. If this is the case, go to System Settings > Displays and choose a resolution. Alternatively, you may select Default to have macOS decide the most appropriate resolution itself.
To proceed to the fourth step, go to the Displays area of the System Settings menu and choose whether you want your television to expand or mirror the screen of your Mac. In addition, if necessary, you have the ability to rearrange the displays on both your MacBook and your television.
In the fifth step, you should be aware that in order to transmit audio from your MacBook to your television, you will need a Mac that has a slot for either HDMI, Thunderbolt, or Mini DisplayPort. In the event that you utilize Mini DisplayPort, you must make certain that the cable you choose is capable of supporting both audio and video. Navigate to System Settings > General > About > System Report in order to do this. Use the sidebar to get to the Hardware > Audio menu. The Mini DisplayPort connector on your MacBook has the capability to deliver audio to your television if it is described as having either HDMI Output or HDMI/DisplayPort Output.
How to connect a MacBook to a TV using AirPlay
Let’s say you want to connect your MacBook to a television, but you don’t have the appropriate connection or adaptor. In situations like these, you are able to do this task remotely by using a function in macOS known as AirPlay.
Sending material over the airways is now possible thanks to this, and you won’t ever have to worry about connecting your gadgets to wires again. It is easy to operate and may be preferable than fumbling about with a tangle of wires because of its simplicity. This is how you may configure it to work.
First things first, check to see that your notebook computer and your television are connected to the same network.
In the second step, choose the Control Center icon located in the upper-right hand corner of your Mac screen. Next, select Screen Mirroring and select your TV from the list of available options.
It is possible that you may be prompted to provide a four-digit code in order to couple your devices at this stage.
Step four: You have the option of either mirroring the display of your Mac onto your television or extending it, which will utilize the television as a distinct second screen. By going to Control Center > Screen Mirroring and selecting either Mirror Built-in Display (which will mirror your Mac) or Use As Separate Display (which will expand your Mac’s screen), you can access screen mirroring.
As can be seen, the method of connecting a MacBook to a television is not very complicated. But there are occasions when things may not go the way you had planned for them to. If this is the case, you may need to do some troubleshooting on the situation.
If you are unable to see the desktop of your MacBook on your television, despite the fact that everything appears to be connected precisely as it should be, there is a solution that you may attempt. After you have disconnected everything and closed the lid of your MacBook to put it into sleep mode, you should then reattach your Mac to the power source and then plug it back into your television. At this point, you should link it to a USB keyboard and mouse (or a wireless set that you have already associated with your smartphone). You can wake up your MacBook by first waiting a few seconds, and then pressing a key on your keyboard or mouse simultaneously. In the event that this is successful, the screen of your Mac should be shown on your television.
What happens if you are able to get your television to show the information on your Mac, but the content does not fill the screen of your television? Whenever you find yourself in such a circumstance, enter System Settings, go to Displays, choose your television, and then select Overscan on the right. It’s possible that this feature is not available on all televisions, but if you’re having this issue, you should give it a go. It is important to keep in mind that overscan will cause the screen of your Mac to extend beyond the boundaries of your television, which may result in some information being cut off.
