CrackMacUSB-C to HDMI adapter for a MacBook: what to look for before you buy
For most people, a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable that supports HDMI 2.0 and 4K at 60 Hertz. If you'll use the MacBook with the lid closed, get one with a USB-C charging port too, because a MacBook only drives an external display with the lid closed when it's plugged into power. Cheap adapters limited to 4K at 30 Hertz work, but the pointer and scrolling feel sluggish.
Do you need one?
| MacBook | HDMI |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air, USB-C models | Needs an adapter or cable |
| 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2016 to 2022 | Needs an adapter or cable |
| MacBook Pro 14 and 16-inch, 2021 and later | Built-in HDMI port. A plain HDMI cable is enough. |
What to look for
- HDMI 2.0 or later, 4K at 60 Hertz. Look for it in the product description. "4K" alone often means 30 Hertz.
- Charging pass-through. A USB-C power port on the adapter lets one cable charge the Mac and run the display, which you need for clamshell mode.
- HDCP support, if you'll watch streaming apps on the TV. Without it some apps show a black picture.
- A short, solid cable, or a one-piece USB-C to HDMI cable, so there's one less connection to fail.
What to avoid
- USB-C cables that only charge. They carry no video at all.
- DisplayLink adapters, unless you need more monitors than your Mac supports. They need extra software and use the processor to draw the picture.
- Hubs with too much in them. Cheap all-in-one hubs often get hot and drop the display. Apple's own USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is pricier and reliable.
How many displays?
An adapter can't get around your Mac's own limit. Base M1 and M2 MacBook Air models support one external display, for example. The limits for each model are in monitor not detected. Setting up a MacBook with a broken screen on a TV is covered in connecting a broken MacBook to a 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
Do I need an adapter to connect a MacBook to HDMI?
MacBook Air models and the 13-inch MacBook Pro need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. MacBook Pro 14 and 16-inch models from 2021 on have an HDMI port built in.
Why is my MacBook only showing 30Hz on a 4K TV?
The adapter or cable only supports HDMI 1.4, which is limited to 30 Hertz at 4K. Use an adapter that supports HDMI 2.0 or later for 4K at 60 Hertz.
Buying an adapter because the screen is broken?
If the damage is only along one edge, try CrackMac first. It keeps windows, the menu bar and the pointer on the working part of the screen, and the trial is free.
- Works on macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel.
- Free for 30 minutes of use, then a one-time price. No subscription.
- A refund within 7 days, no questions asked.