In this wikiHow, you will learn how to connect a MacBook Air to an external monitor. It is possible to connect your computer using an HDMI cable or using AirPlay. After you've connected the devices, you can make adjustments to the display settings and arrange the monitor as an extended or primary display.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Use AirPlay to connect to a monitor
Step 1. Connect your monitor and MacBook to the same Wi-Fi network
If you want to use AirPlay to connect to the monitor, both the monitor and the MacBook must be connected to the same wireless network. Consult your monitor manufacturer's user manual or website to learn how to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Before you start, you need to make sure your monitor and MacBook are turned on.
- You can connect to any wireless monitor, Apple TV, smart TV, or streaming device that supports AirPlay 2.
Step 2. Click on the Apple icon
on your MacBook.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. This displays the Apple menu as a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click System Preferences
It's in the Apple menu on your Mac.
Step 4. Click Displays
It's under an icon that looks like a monitor in the "System Preferences" menu.
Step 5. Check the box
at the bottom of the "Screens" window.
It's the box next to "Show available duplication options in the menu bar." With this, the AirPlay icon is displayed in the menu at the top of the screen.
Step 6. Click on the AirPlay icon on the menu bar
This is the icon that looks like a monitor with a triangle at the bottom. It's in the upper-right corner of the menu bar. This shows the available devices that you can connect to using AirPlay.
Step 7. Click on the monitor you want to connect to
This displays two screen options in a pop-up window.
Not all monitors support AirPlay. In case your monitor doesn't support AirPlay, you can purchase an Apple TV streaming box to connect to your TV via AirPlay
Step 8. Click Mirror Integrated Screen or Use as a separate screen.
If you want the monitor to show what is on your MacBook screen, select "Mirror built-in screen." If you want to use it as a second screen, select "Use as separate screen." This connects to the monitor using AirPlay.
Step 9. Enter the password on your Mac
Some televisions and monitors may display a password on the screen.
- If you want to disconnect from the monitor, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and then click Turn off AirPlay.
Method 2 of 6: Connect your MacBook to a monitor using an HDMI cable
Step 1. Check the video out ports on your MacBook Air
If you want to connect to a monitor, your MacBook must have either an HDMI port or a Mini DisplayPort port.
- Some newer MacBook Airs do not have an HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port, in which case you will need to purchase a USB-C to HDMI adapter in order to connect your MacBook Air to a monitor.
- An HDMI cable is about 0.75 inches (2 cm) wide, and the bottom is slightly smaller than the top.
- A Mini DisplayPort port is square in shape and the bottom corners are cut off. It is exactly the same shape as a Thunderbolt port.
- While a Thunderbolt port and a Mini DisplayPort port are the same shape, they are not the same. Check the port labels. A Mini DisplayPort port has an icon that looks like a screen. A Thunderbolt port has an icon that looks like a lightning bolt.
Step 2. Buy the right cable
After determining the type of video output your MacBook uses, you will need to purchase either an HDMI cable or a Mini DisplayPort cable depending on the port on your MacBook.
- Make sure you get a cable that is long enough to connect your MacBook and your monitor. If necessary, measure the distance between the devices.
- Mini DisplayPort cables have a Mini DisplayPort plug on one end and an HDMI port on the other end of the cable. You can also purchase a Mini DisplayPort adapter to connect an HDMI cable directly to a Mini DisplayPort port.
- If your monitor doesn't have an HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port, you can purchase an adapter from Apple or another electronics retailer. These encompass Mini Display to DVI and Mini Display to VGA adapters, as well as HDMI to DVI adapters.
Step 3. Connect one end of the cable to your MacBook
Match the shape on the end of the cable, and the HDMI or Mini DisplayPort port on your MacBook and connect them.
Step 4. Connect the other end of the cable to an HDMI port on your monitor
Connect to a free HDMI port on the monitor with the other end of the cable.
In case your monitor has more than one HDMI port, make a note of the port to which you are going to connect it. HDMI ports are usually numbered
Step 5. Turn on the monitor and your MacBook
Press the power button on your MacBook and on the monitor.
Step 6. Select the appropriate video source on the monitor
In case the video has more than one HDMI or video input port, press the button on the remote control or monitor that says Source ("Source"), Input ("Entry"), Video In ("Video input") or something similar. Select the port number to which you have connected your MacBook. You may see your MacBook screen on the monitor automatically. If it doesn't appear automatically, proceed to the next step.
Step 7. Click on the Apple icon
on your MacBook.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. This displays the Apple menu as a drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click System Preferences
It's in the Apple menu on your Mac.
Step 9. Click Displays
It's under an icon that looks like a monitor in the "System Preferences" menu.
Step 10. Click Displays
It's the first tab at the top of the "Screens" window.
Step 11. Press and hold the Options key
This displays a button that says "Detect Displays" in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 12. Click Detect Displays
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Displays" window. Your MacBook will search for connected displays.
Method 3 of 6: Set the screen resolution
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon
on your MacBook.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. This displays the Apple menu as a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's in the Apple menu on your Mac.
Step 3. Click Displays
It's under an icon that looks like a monitor in the "System Preferences" menu.
Step 4. Click Displays
It's the first tab at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Hold down the Options key and select "Scaling"
With this, you can select a screen resolution for the monitor. By default, your MacBook will try to detect the best resolution for both displays.
If you want to change the screen resolution of your MacBook, select "Scaled" without holding down the "Options" key
Step 6. Select a resolution for your monitor
Higher resolution can show smaller icons and more screen space. Lower resolution can display larger icons, but have less screen space. Some applications and windows may not fit on the screen if the resolution is lower.
For a high definition monitor, select up to 1900 x 1080. For a 4K or higher display, select up to 3840 x 2160
Method 4 of 6: Use the monitor as an extended display
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon
on your MacBook.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. This displays the Apple menu as a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's in the Apple menu on your Mac.
Step 3. Click Displays
It's under an icon that looks like a monitor in the "System Preferences" menu.
Step 4. Click the Layout tab
It's the second tab at the top of the "Screens" window.
Step 5. Click to uncheck the box
next to "Duplicate screen".
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Displays" window. In this way, you can use the monitor as an extended screen. This allows you to move objects and applications from one screen to the other.
Checking "Screen Mirroring" displays your MacBook screen on the monitor as it appears on your MacBook
Method 5 of 6: Change Your Primary Display
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon
on your MacBook.
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the desktop. This displays the Apple menu as a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's in the Apple menu on your Mac.
Step 3. Click Displays
It's under an icon that looks like a monitor in the "System Preferences" menu.
Step 4. Click the Layout tab
It's the second tab at the top of the "Screens" window.
Step 5. Click and hold the white bar at the top of the current monitor icon
There are two rectangle icons under the "Layout" tab in "System Preferences" that represent the two displays that are connected to your MacBook. The one with the white bar at the top is the current primary display.
Step 6. Drag the white bar to the icon on the other screen
If you want to change the primary screen, drag the white bar at the top of one of the rectangular icons on the screen over to the other icon on the screen in the "Layout" tab. Both monitors will flash on and off for a second to adjust to the new preferences. The screen that is configured as the primary screen will be the default monitor on which the applications will open.
Method 6 of 6: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Bring your MacBook closer to the monitor
In case the AirPlay icon does not appear in the menu bar of your MacBook, try moving your MacBook closer to your wireless monitor.
Step 2. Update macOS to the latest version
In case you are using an older version of macOS, you may not be able to use AirPlay. Some older Macs may not be able to update to the latest version of macOS. Follow the steps below to update macOS to the latest version:
- Click on the Apple icon in the menu bar.
- Click on System preferences (click on About this Mac in an older version of macOS).
- Click on Software update.
- Click on Update now in case there is an update available.
Step 3. Check your Mac's firewall settings
Sometimes your Mac's firewall settings may block AirPlay from connecting to your monitor. You could also check your router's firewall settings or any external firewall software you have. Follow the steps below to review your firewall settings.
- Click on the Apple icon in the menu bar.
- Click on System preferences.
- Click on Security and privacy.
- Click on the tab Firewall ("firewall" in English).
- Click on the lock icon in the lower right corner.
- Enter your administrative password.
- Click on Firewall options.
- Make sure the box next to "Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections" is checked.
- Click on To accept.
Step 4. Check the AirPlayUIAgent
In case the AirPlay icon does not appear entirely in the menu bar, you can follow the steps below to check the AirPlayUIAgent application under "System Information":
- Click on the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the menu bar.
- Type "System Information" in the bar and press Get in.
- Click on Applications in the menu bar on the left.
- Double click on AirPlayUIAgent.
Step 5. Restart your wireless router
Sometimes interference on your wireless router may block your MacBook from connecting to AirPlay devices. The first step in trying to fix this problem is to restart your router. You can do this by simply unplugging it, waiting around 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in and waiting for it to reboot.
Step 6. Remove other devices from your network
In case you still can't connect your AirPlay devices, there may be other devices connected to your network that are interfering. Try disconnecting other devices one by one from your wireless network and see if the problem is fixed.