What is MacBook Screen Mirroring?
Screen mirroring is the process of displaying what you see on your MacBook screen onto another device, such as a TV, iPad, or projector, simultaneously.This allows you to:
- Give presentations
- Watch movies
- Play games
- Teach lessons
In other words, “MacBook screen mirroring” means showing or extending your laptop screen to a second display.
Methods for MacBook Screen Mirroring
There are two main ways to mirror your MacBook screen:- Wireless (via AirPlay)
- Wired (via HDMI or Type-C connection)
1. Wireless Screen Mirroring with AirPlay (Apple TV / Smart TV)
AirPlay is Apple’s wireless screen mirroring technology.It works over Wi-Fi and does not require any cables.
Compatible Devices:
- Apple TV
- AirPlay 2-compatible Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Vestel, etc.)
- iPad or another Mac
- MacBook and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
- AirPlay must be enabled on the TV.
- Click the Control Center icon at the top-right of your Mac screen.
- Select Screen Mirroring.
- Choose your TV or Apple TV from the list.
- If a code appears on the TV, enter it on the Mac screen.
- Mirror Display: Shows the same image on both screens.
- Extend Display: Uses the TV as a second monitor (e.g., one screen for presentation, the other for notes).
Control Center → Screen Mirroring → Stop Mirroring
2. Mirror MacBook Screen to TV via HDMI
If your TV does not support AirPlay or you prefer not to use Wi-Fi, you can use an HDMI cable.Requirements:
- HDMI adapter compatible with your MacBook (Type-C → HDMI)
- Standard HDMI cable
- TV or monitor with an HDMI input
- Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
- HDMI converters from Anker, Ugreen, or Baseus
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the TV and the other to the MacBook via the adapter.
- Set the TV input source to HDMI.
- The Mac screen will automatically appear on the TV.
Apple menu → System Settings → Displays → Detect Displays
If there is no sound:
System Settings → Sound → Output → select HDMI device
3. Screen Mirroring to iPad (Sidecar Feature)
Apple’s Sidecar feature allows you to use an iPad as a second screen, which is ideal for graphic design, video editing, and presentations.Compatible Models:
- macOS Catalina or later
- iPadOS 13 or later
- Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID
- Wireless via Wi-Fi
- Wired via USB cable
- Click the AirPlay icon in the Mac menu bar.
- Select Connect: iPad [device name]
- The iPad screen will automatically become a second monitor.
4. Mirroring to Windows or Smart TVs with Third-Party Applications
If the TV or computer does not support AirPlay, you can use special applications.Popular Applications:
| Application | Feature | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|
| LetsView | Free, wireless | Wi-Fi |
| ApowerMirror | iPhone/iPad/Mac support | Wi-Fi / USB |
| AirServer | AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast support | Wi-Fi |
| Reflector 4 | Professional screen recording + mirroring | Wi-Fi |
- Install the application on both MacBook and TV/PC.
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Start screen mirroring from the application.
5. Mirroring iPhone or iPad to Mac
Mac can also act as a receiver, allowing you to mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to your MacBook.Requirements:
- macOS Sonoma or later
- iOS 17 or later
- QuickTime Player or AirPlay receiver mode
- Connect the iPhone to Mac via cable.
- Open QuickTime Player → File → New Movie Recording.
- Select the iPhone from the camera dropdown.
- The screen will appear on the Mac instantly.
MacBook Screen Mirroring Not Working (Solutions)
| Issue | Reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| TV not appearing in list | Different Wi-Fi network | Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi |
| AirPlay icon missing | Feature disabled | System Settings → Displays → Enable AirPlay Display |
| No sound | Wrong audio output selected | System Settings → Sound → Select HDMI or AirPlay |
| Lag/delay | Weak connection | Use 5GHz Wi-Fi or wired HDMI |
