This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a MacBook Air to an external monitor. You can connect your computer to the monitor using an HDMI cable or AirPlay connection. Once the devices are connected, you can adjust the display settings and set the monitor as an auxiliary (expansion) or primary display.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Connecting a MacBook to a Monitor Using an HDMI Cable
Step 1. Check the video output port on the laptop
In order to connect to a monitor, your MacBook requires an HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port.
- HDMI cables have ends that are 2 centimeters wide, with a smaller bottom than the top.
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Mini DisplayPort ports are square in shape with the bottom corners cut diagonally. It looks the same as the Thunderbolt port.
The Thunderbolt port and the Mini DisplayPort port look the same, but they are actually different. Therefore, check the label on the port. You can see the monitor icon on the Mini DisplayPort port. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolt port has a lightning icon
Step 2. Purchase the appropriate cable
After determining what type of video output your MacBook uses, you'll need to purchase an HDMI cable or a Mini DisplayPort cable, depending on the available ports.
- Make sure you buy a cable long enough to connect your MacBook to the monitor. If necessary, measure the distance between the two devices.
- Mini DisplayPort cables have a Mini DisplayPort plug on one end and an HDMI port on the other. You can purchase a Mini DisplayPort adapter to connect an HDMI cable directly to the Mini DisplayPort port.
- If the monitor you're using doesn't have an HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port, you can purchase the adapter you need from Apple or an electronics store. These adapters include MiniDisplay-to-DVI, MiniDisplay-to-VGA, and HDMI-to-DVI adapters.
Step 3. Attach one end of the cable to the MacBook
Shape the end of the cable into the HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port on the MacBook and attach it to the port.
Step 4. Connect the other end of the cable to the HDMI port on the monitor
Connect the other end of the cable to an empty HDMI port on your monitor.
If there is more than one HDMI port on the monitor, remember or note the port used. HDMI ports are usually marked with a number
Step 5. Turn on the monitor and MacBook
Press the power button on both the MacBook and the monitor.
Step 6. Select the appropriate video input source on the monitor
If the monitor has more than one HDMI port or video input, press the button labeled “ Source ”, “ Input ”, “ In Videos ” or similar on the controller or monitor. Select the port number the MacBook is connected to. You can see the MacBook display on the monitor automatically. If the MacBook screen doesn't display automatically, move on to the next step.
Step 7. Click the Apple icon
on MacBooks.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. The Apple drop-down menu will appear.
Step 8. Click System Preferences
This option is in the Apple menu on your computer.
Step 9. Click Displays
This option is below the monitor icon in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 10. Click Display
This option is the first tab in the “Displays” window.
Step 11. Press and hold the Options button
A button labeled "Detect Displays" will appear in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 12. Click Detect Display
It's in the lower-right corner of the “Display” window. The MacBook will scan the connected monitor.
Method 2 of 5: Using AirPlay to Connect MacBook to Monitor
Step 1. Turn on the MacBook and monitor
Before starting, make sure both devices are powered on.
Step 2. Connect the monitor and MacBook to the same WiFi network
In order for you to connect a laptop to a monitor via AirPlay, both the monitor and MacBook must be connected to the same wireless network. Follow the user manual or directions from the monitor manufacturer's website to find out how to connect the monitor to a WiFi network. Read the fourth method in the article on how to connect a wireless internet connection device to find out how to connect your MacBook to a WiFi network.
Step 3. Click the Apple icon
on MacBooks.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. The Apple drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 4. Click System Preferences
This option is in the Apple menu on your computer.
Step 5. Click Display
This option is below the monitor icon in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 6. Click the checkbox
at the bottom of the “Display” window.
This box is next to the words "Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available". The AirPlay icon will appear in the menu at the top of the screen.
Step 7. Click the AirPlay icon on the menu bar
This icon looks like a monitor with a triangle underneath. You can find it in the top right corner of the menu bar. A list of devices that can be connected via AirPlay will be displayed.
Step 8. Click the monitor you want to pair with the laptop
Both screen options will be displayed in a pop-up window.
Not all monitors support AirPlay. If your monitor doesn't support AirPlay, you can purchase an Apple TV streaming box to connect your MacBook to your television via AirPlay
Step 9. Click Mirror Built-in Display or Use as Separate Display.
If you want the monitor to display what is displayed on the MacBook screen, select "Mirror Built-in Display". If you want to use the monitor as a second display, select "Use as a Separate Display". The MacBook will be connected to the monitor via AirPlay afterwards.
To disconnect your MacBook from the monitor, click the AirPlay icon on the menu bar, then select “ Turn off AirPlay ”.
Method 3 of 5: Setting the Screen Resolution
Step 1. Click the Apple icon
on MacBooks.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. The Apple drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
This option is in the Apple menu on your computer.
Step 3. Click Displays
This option is below the monitor icon in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 4. Click Display
This option is the first tab at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Press and hold the Options button, then select "Scaled"
With this option, you can specify the display resolution of the computer screen on the monitor. By default, your MacBook will detect the best resolution for both displays.
To change the MacBook's screen resolution, select "Scaled" without holding down the "Options" key
Step 6. Select the resolution for the monitor
A higher resolution makes icons appear smaller, but there is more space on the screen. Meanwhile, the higher resolution makes the icons appear larger, but there is less space on the screen. Some applications and windows may not fit when displayed in a smaller screen resolution.
If you are using an HD monitor, you can choose a resolution up to “1900 x 1080”. If you are using a 4k (or larger) resolution monitor, you can choose a higher resolution of up to “3840 x 2160”
Method 4 of 5: Using the Monitor As a MacBook Screen Extend
Step 1. Click the Apple icon
on MacBooks.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. The Apple drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
This option is in the Apple menu on your computer.
Step 3. Click Displays
This option is below the monitor icon in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 4. Click the Arrangement tab
This option is the second tab at the top of the “Display” window.
Step 5. Click the box
next to "Mirror Display" to uncheck it.
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Display" window. With this option, you can use the monitor as an extension of the main screen. You can move objects and apps from one screen to another.
When the " Screen Mirroring " option is checked, the monitor will display the content according to what is displayed on the MacBook screen
Method 5 of 5: Changing Display or Home Screen
Step 1. Click the Apple icon
on MacBooks.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. The Apple drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
This option is in the Apple menu on your computer.
Step 3. Click Displays
This option is below the monitor icon in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 4. Click the Arrangement tab
This option is the second tab at the top of the “Display” window.
Step 5. Click and hold the white bar above the currently active monitor icon
There are two square icons under the “Arrangement” tab of the “System Preferences” menu. These two icons represent the two screens or displays connected to the MacBook. The icon with a white bar above it represents the active home screen.
Step 6. Drag the white bar to another display icon or screen
To change the main screen, drag the white bar above one of the square icons to the other screen icon on the “Arrangements” tab. Both monitors will blink for a few seconds to adjust to the new preferences. Whatever screen is set as the primary option will be the primary monitor showing running applications.
