The fastest way to connect your Mac to Apple TV

Your Mac connects to Apple TV wirelessly through AirPlay, Apple's built-in screen-sharing system. You don't need cables, apps, or setup beyond what you already have — both devices just need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection takes about 10 seconds once you know where to look.

On your Mac, open the Control Center (click the icon in the top-right corner that looks like a rectangle with lines), then click Screen Mirroring. A list of nearby Apple TVs appears. Select your Apple TV by name, and your Mac screen shows on your television when ready. If your Apple TV asks for a code, a four-digit number appears on your Mac — type it into the Apple TV remote to confirm.

If you don't see your Apple TV in the list, the most common reason is that your Mac and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name in your Wi-Fi settings. If they are, restart both devices and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your Mac and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror your screen.
  • Open Control Center on your Mac, click Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list that appears.
  • If your Apple TV asks for a code, type the four-digit number shown on your Mac into the Apple TV remote to complete the connection.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices and check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Once connected, your Mac screen displays on the TV, and you can control it from your Mac trackpad and keyboard as usual.

Where to find Screen Mirroring on your Mac

The location of Screen Mirroring depends on which version of macOS you're running. On macOS Monterey and newer (released in 2021 and later), Control Center is in the top-right corner of your menu bar — it looks like a rectangle divided into smaller rectangles. Click it, then look for Screen Mirroring near the top of the menu.

On older versions of macOS, Screen Mirroring lives in the menu bar but under a different name. Look for an icon that resembles a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom, or search for "AirPlay" in the menu bar. The function works the same way — click it and select your Apple TV.

If you can't find Screen Mirroring anywhere in your menu bar, your Mac may not have AirPlay support. Macs from 2013 and newer support AirPlay, but if your Mac is older, you'll need to use a different method like an HDMI cable or a third-party streaming device.

What to do if your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list

The most reliable fix is to restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. While it's restarting, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu and selecting Restart. Once both devices are back on, try Screen Mirroring again.

Before you restart, double-check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and note the network name. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network and confirm it's connected to the same network. If they're on different networks, connect your Apple TV to your Mac's network.

If your Apple TV is very far from your Wi-Fi router, or if there are thick walls between them, the connection may drop or fail to appear. Move your Apple TV closer to the router temporarily to test. If that fixes it, you may need a Wi-Fi extender or a router in a more central location.

Understanding the code prompt on your Apple TV

When you select your Apple TV from the Screen Mirroring list, your Apple TV may display a four-digit code on the television screen. This is a security check — it confirms that you own both devices and prevents someone else on your Wi-Fi network from mirroring to your TV without permission.

Type this code into your Apple TV remote using the number buttons, then press Select or Enter. Your Mac screen appears on the TV within a few seconds. You won't see a code every time you connect — once your Mac and Apple TV recognize each other, future connections happen without the prompt.

If you enter the code wrong, the connection fails and you'll see an error message on your Mac. Try again, and make sure you're typing the exact numbers shown on your TV screen.

How to stop mirroring and disconnect

To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your Mac again and click Screen Mirroring. Select Stop Mirroring at the top of the menu. Your Mac screen disappears from the TV, and your Apple TV returns to its home screen or whatever was on before you connected.

You can also disconnect by unplugging your Apple TV or turning it off, though stopping the mirroring from your Mac is cleaner. If you're moving your Mac out of range of your Apple TV, the connection drops automatically after a few seconds.

Mirroring vs. extending your display

Screen Mirroring shows your entire Mac screen on the TV — everything you see on your Mac monitor appears on your television at the same time. This is useful for presentations, watching videos, or showing photos to a group.

If you want to use your Apple TV as a second display instead — so you can drag windows between your Mac and the TV — that's called extending your display. To extend instead of mirror, hold the Option key while you click Screen Mirroring, then select Use as Separate Display. Your Mac and TV now act as two independent screens, and you can move your cursor and windows between them.

Extending your display requires a newer Mac and Apple TV model. If the option doesn't appear, your devices may not support it. Mirroring works on older hardware and is the standard choice for most people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my Mac and Apple TV before I can mirror?

No pairing step is required. As long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, your Apple TV appears in the Screen Mirroring list automatically. The first time you connect, you may enter a code for security, but that's not pairing — it's just a one-time confirmation.

Can I mirror audio from my Mac to Apple TV without mirroring the screen?

No, AirPlay mirroring sends both video and audio together. If you want to send only audio — for example, to play music through your TV speakers — you'll need to use AirPlay audio instead, which is a different feature found in your Mac's Sound settings or in individual apps like Music or Spotify.

Why does my Mac screen lag or stutter when mirrored to Apple TV?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Mac and Apple TV closer to your router, or reduce the number of other devices using your Wi-Fi. Closing unnecessary apps on your Mac also helps. If lag continues, restart both devices and try again.

Can I use my Mac while it's mirrored to Apple TV?

Yes. Everything you do on your Mac — opening apps, typing, clicking — shows on the TV in real time. You control your Mac normally from your trackpad and keyboard. The TV is just displaying what your Mac is doing.

What if my Apple TV is a very old model?

AirPlay mirroring requires Apple TV (2nd generation) or newer. If you have an original Apple TV from 2007, it won't support mirroring. Check your Apple TV model in Settings > About. If it's too old, you'll need to use an HDMI cable or upgrade to a newer Apple TV.