How to Cast Your Mac to Apple TV

The basic way to cast from Mac to Apple TV

To cast your Mac to Apple TV, use AirPlay, which is Apple's built-in wireless casting system. Open the Control Center on your Mac (click the icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar), click Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your Mac screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds.

This works when your Mac and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. You do not need to pair them beforehand — AirPlay finds your TV automatically once you open the menu. The connection is encrypted, so no one else on your network can see what you are doing.

If you do not see your Apple TV in the Screen Mirroring menu, check that both devices are connected to the same network. Restart your Mac or Apple TV if the TV does not appear after a few seconds.

Key Takeaways

Open Control Center on your Mac, click Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV to cast your entire screen wirelessly.
Your Mac and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.
You can adjust resolution and refresh rate in System Settings under Displays if the picture looks wrong on your TV.
If your Mac is running an older version of macOS, use the AirPlay icon in the menu bar instead of Control Center.
Casting uses your Mac's processing power, so demanding tasks like video editing may slow down your computer while mirroring.

What you need before you start

Your Mac must be running macOS 10.5 or later. Almost all Macs sold in the last ten years meet this requirement — you can check your version by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner, selecting About This Mac, and looking at the macOS version listed.

Your Apple TV must be 2nd generation or newer. If you have an older model, AirPlay may not work. You can check your model by going to Settings > About on your Apple TV.

Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Mac is connected to a guest network and your Apple TV is on your main network, they will not see each other. Connect them to the same network first.

How to find and select your Apple TV

On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar (it looks like a grid of squares). If you do not see it, go to System Settings > Control Center and make sure Screen Mirroring is turned on.

In the Control Center menu, look for Screen Mirroring and click it. A list of available devices will appear. Your Apple TV will be listed by name — usually something like "Living Room" or "Apple TV" followed by a model number. Click the name of the TV you want to cast to.

If your Apple TV requires a password, a code will appear on your TV screen. Enter this code on your Mac when prompted. Once you do, your Mac screen will mirror to the TV.

Adjusting picture quality and resolution

When you first cast to your Apple TV, your Mac automatically detects the best resolution and refresh rate. If the picture looks blurry, stretched, or has black bars around the edges, you can adjust these settings.

Go to System Settings on your Mac, click Displays, then select your Apple TV from the list on the left. You will see options for Resolution and Refresh Rate. Try switching to a different resolution — usually "Scaled" offers better text clarity, while "Default" uses your TV's native resolution. Refresh rate options are typically 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 60 Hz is standard in North America.

If you want to use your Mac while it is casting, you can extend your display instead of mirroring it. In the same Screen Mirroring menu, hold the Option key and click your Apple TV, then select Use as Separate Display. Your TV will show a different part of your Mac desktop, and you can drag windows between them.

Stopping the cast and disconnecting

To stop casting, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Disconnect at the top of the list. Your Mac screen will no longer appear on the TV.

If you walk away from your Mac while it is casting, the connection will stay active until you manually disconnect. Your screen will remain visible on the TV. If you want the cast to stop automatically when you close your Mac's lid, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff and turn off AirPlay Receiver.

Troubleshooting when your Apple TV does not appear

If your Apple TV is not showing up in the Screen Mirroring menu, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open System Preferences on your Mac and confirm the network name. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is turned on.

Restart both devices. On your Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Restart. Wait 30 seconds after each device restarts, then try Screen Mirroring again.

If your Apple TV still does not appear, move your Mac closer to the TV. Wi-Fi range and interference from other devices can prevent discovery. If you have a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network available, try connecting your Mac to it — Apple TV works better on 5 GHz when available.

What happens to your Mac's performance while casting

Casting uses your Mac's processor and Wi-Fi connection. Light tasks like web browsing or document editing will not slow down noticeably. Heavy tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or gaming may become sluggish because your Mac is working to both run the process and send the video stream to your TV.

If you are doing demanding work, close other applications before you cast. This frees up processing power for the task you are focused on. You can also reduce the resolution or refresh rate in Display settings to lower the amount of data your Mac has to send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast just one window instead of my entire screen?

No — AirPlay mirrors your entire Mac screen. However, you can use a separate display mode to show different content on your TV. Hold Option while clicking Screen Mirroring, select Use as Separate Display, and drag the window you want to show to the TV's display in System Settings > Displays.

What if my Mac and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

They must be on the same network for AirPlay to work. Connect your Mac to the same network as your Apple TV. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network or both on the guest network.

Can I cast audio only without the screen?

Yes. Use AirPlay from the Music app or other audio apps to send sound to your Apple TV without mirroring your screen. Open the app, look for the AirPlay icon (usually a triangle with sound waves), and select your Apple TV. Your screen will stay on your Mac.

Why is there a delay between what I do on my Mac and what appears on the TV?

A small delay of one to two seconds is normal with AirPlay over Wi-Fi. If the delay is longer, move your Mac closer to the Apple TV, reduce Wi-Fi interference by moving away from other devices, or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel in your router settings.

Does casting drain my Mac's battery faster?

Yes, casting uses more power than normal operation. If you are using a laptop on battery, expect the battery to drain faster. Plug in your Mac if you plan to cast for more than an hour.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.