Mirror Your Laptop Screen to a TV with AirPlay

To mirror your Apple laptop to a TV, use AirPlay, which wirelessly sends your screen to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible television. Your laptop and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Control Center on your Mac, click the Screen Mirroring icon, select your TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your screen if prompted. Your laptop display will then appear on the TV within a few seconds.

The process works the same way whether you own an older Apple TV box or a newer smart TV with built-in AirPlay support. You do not need cables, apps, or special software—AirPlay is built into every Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
  • Open Control Center on your Mac, click Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list to start mirroring in seconds.
  • If a four-digit code appears on your TV screen, enter it on your Mac to complete the connection.
  • You can mirror your entire screen or use extended display mode to use your TV as a second monitor instead.
  • If your TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring menu, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

Check Your Network Connection First

Before you attempt to mirror, make sure both your Mac and your TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason mirroring fails. On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and note which network you are using. Then check your TV's network settings—the exact steps vary by TV model, but you can usually find this in Settings or Network.

If your TV is on a different network than your Mac, connect it to the same one. Some homes have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name—either one works for AirPlay, but both devices must be on one of them.

Open Control Center and Select Screen Mirroring

On your Mac, open Control Center by clicking the icon in the top-right corner of your screen (it looks like a rectangle with lines). If you do not see it, go to System Settings, click Control Center, and make sure Screen Mirroring is turned on.

In Control Center, look for the Screen Mirroring option and click it. A menu will drop down showing all available TVs and AirPlay devices on your network. Click the name of your TV. If you see a four-digit code appear on your TV screen, type that code into the prompt on your Mac and press Enter.

Your Mac screen will now appear on your TV. The mirroring starts within a few seconds, and your laptop display will show exactly what the TV shows.

Enter the AirPlay Code If Your TV Asks for One

Some TVs and Apple TV devices require a four-digit security code to prevent unauthorized mirroring. When you select your TV from the Screen Mirroring menu, a code will appear on the TV screen. Look at your TV, find the four-digit number, and type it into the dialog box on your Mac.

This code is temporary and changes each time you connect. If you enter the wrong code, the connection will fail and you can try again. You will not be locked out after a few wrong attempts.

Switch Between Mirroring and Extended Display

By default, your TV shows an exact copy of your Mac screen. If you want to use your TV as a second monitor instead—so you can drag windows between your laptop and TV—hold down the Option key while you click Screen Mirroring in Control Center. This opens an expanded menu with two choices: Mirror and Extend Display.

Choose Extend Display to use your TV as additional screen space. Your Mac will treat the TV as a separate monitor, and you can move your cursor and windows between them. To switch back to mirroring, open Control Center again, hold Option, and select Mirror.

Troubleshoot When Your TV Does Not Appear

If your TV does not show up in the Screen Mirroring menu, restart both devices. Turn off your Mac completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV. Then check your Wi-Fi connection again—sometimes a device drops off the network without showing an obvious error.

If the TV still does not appear, check that AirPlay is turned on in your TV's settings. On an Apple TV box, go to Settings, AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure AirPlay is set to On. On a smart TV with built-in AirPlay, look in the TV's settings menu for AirPlay or Screen Mirroring and confirm it is enabled. Some TVs require you to set AirPlay to "Anyone" rather than "Only People Sharing This Home" if you are connecting for the first time.

If you are still having trouble, try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your Mac and reconnecting. Go to System Settings, Wi-Fi, click the network name, select Forget, and then reconnect by entering your password again.

Stop Mirroring and Disconnect

To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your Mac and click Screen Mirroring again. Select Stop Mirroring from the menu. Your TV will return to its normal display, and your Mac will no longer send its screen to the TV.

You can also disconnect by turning off your TV or by putting your Mac to sleep. The connection will end automatically, and you can reconnect whenever you want without re-entering any codes or settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV box to mirror my Mac to a TV?

No. If your TV was made in the last few years, it likely has AirPlay built in. Check your TV's manual or settings menu for AirPlay or Screen Mirroring. If your older TV does not have AirPlay, you can buy an Apple TV box to add the feature.

Can I mirror my Mac to a TV that is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, your Mac and TV should both connect to your main network, not the guest network.

Why is my mirrored screen laggy or slow?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Mac closer to the router, or move the router closer to your TV. If other devices are using a lot of bandwidth, pause large downloads or video streaming on other devices. Restarting both your Mac and TV can also improve performance.

Can I mirror just one app instead of my entire screen?

No. AirPlay mirrors your entire Mac screen. However, you can minimize other windows and open only the app you want to show, so the TV displays mostly that app.

Will mirroring drain my Mac's battery quickly?

Mirroring uses more battery than normal use, but not dramatically. If you plan to mirror for a long time, plug your Mac into power. Closing other apps and lowering your screen brightness can also help extend battery life while mirroring.