How to Mirror Your Mac's Screen to Your Apple TV

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: June 13, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow article teaches you how to view your Mac's screen on your Apple TV using AirPlay. You can mirror your Mac's screen to an Apple TV as long as your Mac is from 2012 or later and using the latest version of macOS that's available. You'll also need an Apple TV running tvOS 9.0 or higher, or an Apple TV 4K with tvOS 11 or later.^{[1]
X
Research source} If your Mac can't connect to your Apple TV via AirPlay, you'll need to use an HDMI cable to connect instead.

Steps

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If this is your first time using Apple TV, you may have to set up and configure the Apple TV before proceeding.
2
Make sure that your Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi. You may need to change your Mac's connection to match that of your Apple TV. To check your current connection:
- Mac - Click the "Wi-Fi" icon
  in the upper-right corner of the screen, then look at the name of the network that has a checkmark next to it.
- Apple TV - Open Settings
  , select Network, and review the name of the network to the right of the "CONNECTION" heading.
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3
Click the Control Center icon on your Mac. It's the two sliders on the right side of the menu bar.^{[2]
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- If you're using macOS Catalina or earlier, click the icon of a square with a triangle in the menu bar instead. Then, choose the name of your Apple TV to connect.
4
Click the Screen Mirroring icon. It's the two overlapping squares on the Control Center. Available AirPlay devices will appear.
5
Click your Apple TV. Depending on your settings, a 4-digit code may now appear on your Apple TV. If so, enter the code on your Mac to connect.
Once you see your Mac's screen appear on the Apple TV, you have successfully mirrored your display.
7
Choose whether to mirror or extend (optional). By default, AirPlaying will automatically mirror your screen. If you want to extend your screen to use your TV as a second monitor, click the Screen Mirroring icon in the menu bar, then click Use as a Separate Display.
- AirPlay automatically transmits the sound from your Mac to your TV.
- If you can't hear the sound from your Mac through your Apple TV, click the sound icon in your Mac's menu bar, then click your Apple TV.^{[3]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Why does my Macbook Pro not show Airplay under the display?

Community Answer

If you look to the top right hand corner of your screen, you'll see a number of icons. The Airplay icon resembles a rectangle with an upward-pointing triangle below it. If you don't see it, open up System Preferences and click on Displays. In the bottom left hand corner you should see the words "Airplay Display: Off." Simply click Off and change it.

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How do I get the drop down menu in system preferences?

Community Answer

You can't get it in system preferences. Instead, if you hover over the top of your screen, a bar will pop up.

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Can I use my Apple TV without the remote?

Community Answer

You need the remote to get the Apple TV onto your WiFi network but after that you can download the Apple TV Remote App on to a mobile device and as long as that device is on the same network as the Apple TV you can control it.

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Tips

If you don’t see the AirPlay icon on your Mac, make sure both your Mac and your Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

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Mirroring can lag if you have lots of videos playing. Try closing some windows to reduce the load on your Apple TV.

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