CrackMacHow to mirror a MacBook to a TV, and what to do when it won't work
There are two ways. AirPlay works wirelessly with Apple TV and with many recent Samsung, LG, Sony and other smart TVs. Open Control Center, click Screen Mirroring and pick the TV. An HDMI cable works with any TV and doesn't depend on Wi-Fi. If one doesn't work, the other usually will.
AirPlay, wireless
- Turn on the TV and make sure it's on the same Wi-Fi network as the Mac.
- On the Mac, open Control Center and click Screen Mirroring.
- Choose the TV. If a code appears on the TV, type it on the Mac.
- To stop, click Screen Mirroring again and choose your TV to turn it off.
HDMI, wired
- Connect an HDMI cable. MacBook Pro 14 and 16-inch models have an HDMI port. MacBook Air needs a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
- Select the right HDMI input on the TV.
- Press Command-Brightness Down to switch between mirroring and using the TV as a second screen.
If the TV doesn't show up
- Same network. The Mac and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi, not a guest network.
- AirPlay turned on on the TV. Look for AirPlay or Apple AirPlay settings in the TV's menus.
- VPN. Turn it off while mirroring.
- Firewall. In System Settings, Network, Firewall, Options, "Block all incoming connections" stops AirPlay. Turn that option off.
- Updates and restart. Update macOS and the TV's software, then restart both.
- Picture zoomed or cut off over HDMI. Turn off overscan in the TV's picture settings, often called Just Scan, Screen Fit or 1:1.
Broken laptop screen?
If you can't see the Mac's own screen to click Screen Mirroring, use HDMI and the keyboard shortcut. The full blind setup is in connecting a broken MacBook to a monitor or TV.
If the damage runs along one edge, CrackMac can keep windows, menus and the pointer off it. There's a free 30-minute trial.
Quick answers
How do I mirror my MacBook to my TV?
On a TV with AirPlay, open Control Center, click Screen Mirroring and choose the TV. On any TV with HDMI, connect a cable or a USB-C to HDMI adapter and press Command-Brightness Down to mirror.
Why is screen mirroring not showing my TV?
The Mac and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network, the TV must support AirPlay with AirPlay turned on in its settings, and a VPN or a firewall blocking incoming connections can hide it.
Using the TV because the laptop screen is damaged?
If the built-in screen still works apart from one edge, CrackMac keeps windows, menus and the pointer on its working part, so you can use the laptop away from the TV too.
- Works on macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel.
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