This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a MacBook laptop to a television. Modern MacBooks differ from MacBook Pros by having only one video output port. Meanwhile, the 2009-2015 MacBooks use the Mini DisplayPort slot. However, you can also use the AirPlay feature on your laptop to connect it to your Apple TV if you need to.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Via Cable
Step 1. Find out the video output port on the laptop
Your MacBook might use a Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt 2, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB-A port, depending on the year of manufacture of the laptop, and its make and model.
- If you're using a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air from 2016 or later, the laptop has an output port “ Thunderbolt 3 " and " USB-C" Both types of video output use small, pill-shaped ports. MacBooks that support Thunderbolt 3 have multiple output ports. You can use a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable on either port.
- If you're using a MacBook manufactured after 2015 and it has one pill-shaped port on the side, the laptop supports connection USB-C, but does not provide support for Thunderbolt 3 connections. Make sure you buy a USB-C cable, and not a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
- If you're using a MacBook Pro between 2011 and 2015, or a MacBook Air between 2011 and 2017, the laptop has an output port “ Thunderbolt " or " Thunderbolt 2 " These ports are rectangular in shape with the bottom corners truncated. In addition, the port is also marked by a lightning label on the side. The “Thunderbolt” and “Thunderbolt 2” output ports are the same shape and size as the “Mini DisplayPort”, but differ from these connections or ports. Therefore, look at the label next to the port to see which cable you need to buy or use.
- If you're using a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air between 2008 and 2010, the laptop has a Mini DisplayPort connection. The port is rectangular in shape with the bottom corners cut off. In addition, the port is also marked by a label that looks like a television screen with two lines on both sides. The Mini DisplayPort port is the same size and shape as the Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 ports, but they are not the same. Check the label next to the port to see which cable you need to use.
- Some MacBook models have an HDMI port on the side. You can use this port to connect a laptop to a television without an adapter. The HDMI port is a -inch pentagon, with the bottom corners curved inward.
- You can connect your laptop to multiple televisions via a USB connection. To be successful, the television must have a USB input port and support display via USB.
Step 2. Purchase an adapter cable
You'll need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter for 2015 and newer MacBooks. If your laptop has a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 connection, you'll need a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter. If your laptop uses a Mini DisplayPort, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter.
- You can get the cables and adapters you need from stores like ACE Hardware, or buy them from sites like Tokopedia or Bukalapak.
- When buying an adapter, you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands of rupiah. Cables that are offered at high prices do not necessarily provide better quality.
Step 3. Turn off the television first
This way, you can prevent unwanted damage to your television.
Step 4. Connect the cable to the appropriate adapter
The adapter has at least one HDMI input. Match the shape of the HDMI input port on the adapter to one end of the HDMI cable, then attach the cable to the adapter. The adapter may already have a cable that plugs directly into your MacBook, or it may have a separate input port that you can plug into a USB-C, Thunderbolt, or Mini DisplayPort cable, depending on the adapter model you're using. If so, make sure you've also purchased the appropriate cable and plugged it into the input port on the adapter.
If your MacBook has an HDMI output port, you don't need an adapter
Step 5. Connect the HDMI cable to the television
After connecting the HDMI cable to the adapter, attach the other end of the HDMI cable to the television. At least, you can find one HDMI port on the television. The HDMI port is pentagonal in shape and measures inch. Usually, this port is on the back or side of the television. Match the shape of the cable connector to the HDMI port, then attach the cable to the port.
If your television has more than one HDMI port, remember or write down the HDMI port number you are using
Step 6. Connect the cable from the adapter to the laptop
For MacBooks from 2015 or later, you can connect the USB-C end of the cable to the oval port on the left side of the laptop.
- For MacBook models from 2011 to 2015, the Thunderbolt cable can be plugged into the rectangular port marked with the lightning label.
- For MacBook models from 2009 to 2011, the other end of the Mini DisplayPort cable needs to be inserted into the port labeled with the television display.
- If you're using a USB-C adapter to connect your laptop to your television, make sure your MacBook is charged before you begin.
Step 7. Turn on the television by pressing the button
Press the power button on the television or controller to turn it on. This button is usually indicated by a circle icon crossed by a line at the top.
Step 8. Change the television input source to the HDMI port or channel that the laptop is connected to
Use the button " Input ”, “ Videos ", or " Source ” on the television or controller to select the HDMI channel/port you connect to the laptop.
Step 9. Access the Apple menu
on MacBooks.
Select the Apple logo that appears in the upper-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 10. Select System Preferences…
This option appears at the top of the drop-down menu. The “System Preferences” window will appear after that.
Step 11. Select Displays
The icon looks like a computer monitor. You can see this option in the middle of the “System Preferences” window.
Step 12. Select the Displays tab
This option appears in the upper-left side of the window.
Step 13. Press and hold the Options. button, then select Detect Display.
If the laptop doesn't detect the television automatically, this shortcut will "force" the laptop to detect a connected and active display.
Step 14. Check the " Scaled " box
With this option, you can specify the resolution you want to use on your television.
Step 15. Change screen scaling
Click and drag the " Underscan " slider at the bottom of the page to the left if you want to display more of the computer screen content on the television, or drag it to the right to enlarge the screen. With scaling, you can match the laptop screen resolution to the television if the image displayed on the television is too large or small.
- Alternatively, you can select the desired resolution. Standard HDTV screens usually have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Meanwhile, ultra 4K HDTVs usually have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
- You cannot choose a resolution that is higher than the television's default resolution (eg “4K”).
Step 16. Select the button (“⋮⋮⋮⋮”)
This button is displayed on the top left side of the “System Preferences” window. After that, you will be redirected back to the main menu of the “System Preferences” window.
Step 17. Select Sound in the main window
The icon looks like a loudspeaker.
Step 18. Select Output
This option appears at the top of the “Sound” window. Once the option is clicked, a list of speakers currently accessible by the laptop will be displayed. One of the available options is the name of your television.
Step 19. Choose a television name
With this option, your MacBook will use the television's speakers to produce sound, instead of the laptop's built-in speakers.
- If the name of your television is marked, the television's speakers are already in use by the laptop.
- MacBook models prior to 2009 can only support video (no audio) output via Mini DisplayPort. However, you can connect external speakers to your MacBook via the headphone jack.
Method 2 of 2: Via AirPlay
Step 1. Make sure you have an AirPlay compatible television or streaming device
Most smart televisions manufactured by Sony, Samsung, LG, and Vizio are already AirPlay compatible. If your television doesn't support AirPlay, you can purchase an AirPlay-compatible streaming box such as an Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, or Google Chromecast. Consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox S/X series also support AirPlay.
On some smart televisions and devices, you may need to download the TV app (Apple) from a digital store
Step 2. Turn on the television and/or streaming device
Use the television controller to turn on the television. If you're using a streaming device to connect your MacBook to your television, make sure it's on (or is in a “sleep” state). If not, use the controller to turn on or wake the device.
Step 3. Make sure that your MacBook and television or streaming device are connected to the same internet network
In order to stream MacBook screen content on a television via AirPlay, the laptop and television or streaming device must be connected to the same wireless network or connected to the same router using a wired (ethernet) connection. Refer to the television or streaming device's user manual for how to change network settings. Follow these steps to check the laptop's wireless connection:
- Click the WiFi icon which looks like curved lines above the dots. You can see this icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Click the wireless network you want to use.
- Enter the network password.
Step 4. Make sure AirPlay option is enabled on MabCook
Check the menu bar at the top of the screen. You'll see a television icon above the triangular booth. If you don't find the icon, follow these steps to enable the AirPlay option on your laptop:
- Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Choose " System Preferences ”.
- Click " Displays ”.
- Click the checkbox next to "Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available".
Step 5. Click the AirPlay icon
This icon looks like a television set above a triangular booth.
Step 6. Click Mirror Built-in Display or Mirror [device name].
Both of these options appear under the device name in the AirPlay menu. The "Mirror Built-in Display" option will match the television screen display to the laptop monitor size. Meanwhile, the option " Mirror Built-in [device name] " will adjust the display of laptop content based on the resolution or size of the television.
If you connect multiple devices to the same network, you can see the options under each device
Step 7. Enter the AirPlay passcode
When prompted, enter the AirPlay passcode on the television screen.
