How to Connect a MacBook to a Monitor

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Use an external display for your MacBook with this handy tutorial

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: August 8, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Connecting Your MacBook to the Monitor
|
• Adjusting Your Display Settings
|
• Using Your MacBook with the Lid Closed
|
• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

While connecting your MacBook to a monitor can feel intimidating, it’s actually relatively simple. Once you have found the right cables and adapters, all you have to do is customize your display settings and you are ready to start using your monitor. This wikiHow article will teach you how to set up and use an external monitor with your MacBook.

Connecting Your MacBook to an External Display

• Begin by identifying the video ports on your MacBook.
• Purchase any necessary adapters or cables.
• Select either "Extended display" or "Mirror for Built-in Retina Display" within your MacBook's Display Settings.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Connecting Your MacBook to the Monitor

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1. 1
   Identify your MacBook’s video ports. Depending on the year your MacBook was manufactured, it will have different video ports. Visit https://support.apple.com/en-ph/guide/mac-help/cpmh0014/14.0/mac/14.0 for a chart containing drawings, icons, and descriptions of the possible ports and note which one your computer has. You can also find a guide to which Mac models have which ports at https://support.apple.com/en-us/109523.

   • If you have a newer MacBook (2020 or later), your computer will have Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports.
   • Many MacBook models made between 2016-2020 have Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports.
   • MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012-2015 and 2021 or later also have HDMI ports.
   • Older MacBooks may have Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2/Mini DisplayPorts.
   • To identify your MacBook model and release date, go to
     
     Apple menu > About This Mac.
2. 2
   Identify your monitor’s video input ports. As with MacBooks, different monitors will have different video ports. When looking for ports, be sure to use the ones that say something like In or Input. This means they accept video input from other sources, allowing you to input video from your MacBook. Some of the most common ports are listed below.

   • HDMI ports look like trapezoids.
   • DisplayPort (or Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2) ports look like a rectangle with two corners cut off.
   • USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3/Thunderbolt 4) ports are small and ovular.
   • VGA ports have 15 small holes with a larger screw hole on each end. They're often blue in color.
   • DVI ports have 24 small holes with a slit on one side.
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3. 3
   Purchase a connecting cable and any necessary adapters. If your MacBook does not have the same type of video ports as your monitor, you will likely need an adapter. Adapters can be bought directly from the Apple Store or any number of technology retailers.

   • To determine what type of adapter you need, compare the ports on your MacBook and monitor. For example, if your MacBook has USB-C ports while your monitor has HDMI ports, try searching for a “USB-C to HDMI adapter”.
   • If you need a USB-C cable, make sure to buy one that supports video/data transfer! The USB-C cable that came with your MacBook is only for charging and will not be able to connect your Mac to an external display.
4. 4
   Plug the cable or adapter into your MacBook. Be sure that the cable or adapter is fully plugged in. Otherwise, you may have issues with your MacBook’s screen not displaying properly on your monitor.
5. 5
   Connect the other end of the cable to your monitor. Some monitors will have both an In and an Out port for a certain cable type, so be sure to plug the cable into the port labeled In.
6. 6
   Plug the monitor into power and turn it on. You should now see your MacBook’s screen on the monitor!

   • If your monitor is not displaying your MacBook’s screen, be sure that you have selected the right video input. You should be able to change your monitor’s input by pressing a button on the bottom or the side of the monitor, selecting Input, then selecting the option with the same name as the port you are using.
   • If your connecting cable and adapter are fully plugged in and you have checked your monitor’s input, but you still are not seeing your MacBook’s screen, your MacBook might not be detecting the monitor. Open System Settings, choose Displays, then hold down the Option key. When the Detect Displays button appears at the bottom of the window, click it.
   • HDMI cords create an instant digital connection.
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Section 2 of 3:

Adjusting Your Display Settings

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1. 1
   Open System Settings. Click the

   

   Apple icon in the top left of your screen, then click System Settings.

   • If you’re running an older version of macOS, this may be called System Preferences.
2. 2
   Click Displays. Click the Displays icon in the menu bar on the left side of the System Settings window. You might need to scroll down to find it.

   • In older versions of macOS, look for this option in the main System Preferences window.
3. 3
   Choose to extend or mirror your display on your monitor. Extending your display allows you to use your monitor as an entirely separate desktop, while mirroring your display will duplicate your MacBook’s screen on your monitor.

   • To change between these settings, click the name of your monitor, then click the Use-As menu. Select your preferred display type (mirrored or extended) from the menu.
4. 4
   Rearrange your displays. For the easiest and most intuitive setup, try arranging your displays as they are arranged on your desk. At the top of the Displays menu, where you see the icons for your monitors, click the Arrange button. Drag and drop your monitors to the desired position, then click Done.

   • In earlier versions of macOS, you may have to click an Arrangement tab at the top of the window to see this option.
   • You can determine what display you are looking at by hovering your mouse over it and reading the name that appears.
5. 5
   Set your primary display. If you want to set your new monitor as your main display, you can do so by clicking on it and selecting Main display from the Use As drop down menu.

   • If you want to use your laptop as your primary display, you do not need to change anything.
   • In earlier versions of macOS, you can do this by dragging the white bar at the top of one monitor to the monitor you want to use as your main display.
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Section 3 of 3:

Using Your MacBook with the Lid Closed

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1. 1
   Connect an external keyboard and mouse to your laptop. Your keyboard or mouse can be wired or wireless.
2. 2
   Plug your charger in. This will allow your MacBook to stay on with the lid closed.
3. 3
   Open System Settings. This app can be opened by clicking the Apple icon in the top left of your screen, then clicking System Settings.

   • In some older versions of macOS, this is called System Preferences.
4. 4
   Mirror your display to your monitor. Select Display from the left-hand menu bar and select your external monitor. Use the Use As menu to set it as a mirror for your Mac’s built-in display.

   • In older versions of macOS, select Displays, then click Display Settings and select your monitor from the sidebar. Choose the Arrangement tab, then check the box marked Mirror Displays.
5. 5
   Change your energy saving settings. Click Battery in the left sidebar menu, then click Options…. Toggle on Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off. Click Done.

   • In older versions of macOS, return to the default System Preferences screen, then choose Battery. Select the Power Adapter tab, then check Prevent your Mac from automatically sleeping when the display is off.
6. 6
   Close your MacBook lid. You should now be able to use your monitor while your MacBook is shut!
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What do I do if my VGA port is not working?

  

  Luigi Oppido
  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Luigi Oppido

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Wait a few seconds after pressing the button that enables your VGA port. It takes several seconds for it to boot up.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Is there any difference between VGA and HDMI?

  

  Luigi Oppido
  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Luigi Oppido

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Definitely! VGA ports provide an analog connection, and need to be enabled in order to work correctly. HDMI ports, on the other hand, are digital, and create an instant connection.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

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