How to Mirror Your MacBook to Apple TV

Mirror Your MacBook Screen to Apple TV in Three Steps

To mirror your MacBook to Apple TV, open Control Center on your Mac, click Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. The entire process takes about 30 seconds once your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your MacBook screen will then display on your television in real time.

Mirroring works best when your MacBook and Apple TV are within reasonable range of your Wi-Fi router and connected to the same network. If you have an older Mac or Apple TV model, the steps are slightly different — both devices need to support AirPlay, Apple's wireless casting technology.

Key Takeaways

Your MacBook and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
You will see a four-digit code on your TV screen that you must enter on your Mac to complete the connection.
Control Center on your Mac is the fastest way to start mirroring — no settings menus or apps required.
Once connected, your Mac screen displays on the TV, and you can continue using your keyboard and trackpad normally.
If mirroring fails, restarting both devices and checking your Wi-Fi connection usually solves the problem.

Check Your Mac and Apple TV Compatibility

Not all Macs and Apple TVs support mirroring. Your MacBook needs to be running macOS Big Sur (version 11) or later to use the Control Center method. If you have an older Mac, you can still mirror using AirPlay, but the steps will be different — you will access it through the menu bar instead of Control Center.

Your Apple TV should be a 4th generation model or newer (released 2015 or later). If you own an earlier Apple TV, mirroring is still possible but requires a different process. Check your Apple TV model by going to Settings > About on the device itself.

Connect Both Devices to the Same Wi-Fi Network

Before you can mirror, your MacBook and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On your MacBook, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar and select your network. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network and choose the same Wi-Fi network.

If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, connect both devices to the 5 GHz network for faster, more stable mirroring. If you are not sure which band your network uses, check your router's settings or ask your internet provider.

Open Control Center and Select Screen Mirroring

On your MacBook, press Control + Option + Command + Q to open Control Center. (On some older Macs, you may need to click the Control Center icon in the menu bar instead.) Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.

Click Screen Mirroring and wait a moment for your Apple TV to appear in the list. The name of your Apple TV will show up once it is detected on your network. If you do not see it after a few seconds, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and try again.

Enter the Code and Complete the Connection

When you click your Apple TV's name, a four-digit code will appear on your television screen. Type this code into the prompt on your MacBook. This code confirms that you own both devices and prevents someone else from casting to your TV without permission.

Once you enter the code correctly, your MacBook screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds. You will see a blue banner at the top of your Mac screen that says "Mirroring to [Apple TV name]" — this confirms the connection is active. Your Mac keyboard and trackpad will continue to work normally, and you can move your mouse around both screens.

Adjust Display Settings and Resolution

After mirroring starts, your Mac may automatically adjust its resolution to match your TV. If the text on your TV looks too small or too large, you can change the resolution. On your MacBook, go to System Settings > Displays and look for a Resolution dropdown menu.

If you want to use your TV as an extended display instead of mirroring (so your TV shows different content than your Mac), hold Option while clicking Screen Mirroring and select "Use as Separate Display." This is useful if you want to watch a video on your TV while working on your Mac at the same time.

Troubleshoot Common Mirroring Problems

If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your MacBook. This solves most connection problems.

If mirroring connects but the picture is choppy or freezes, move your MacBook closer to your Wi-Fi router or Apple TV. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can interfere with the wireless signal. If you have many devices on your Wi-Fi network, try disconnecting some of them temporarily to see if that improves performance.

If you see an error message saying "AirPlay is not available," check that both devices are running current software. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Software Updates. On your MacBook, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates and try mirroring again.

Stop Mirroring and Disconnect

To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your MacBook again and click Screen Mirroring. Select "Stop Mirroring" from the menu. Your MacBook screen will no longer appear on your TV, but both devices will remain connected to Wi-Fi.

If you want to disconnect completely and remove the Apple TV from your mirroring list, you can do this in System Settings. Go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff and toggle off "AirPlay Receiver" if you want to prevent other devices from casting to your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror audio from my MacBook to Apple TV speakers?

Yes. When you mirror your MacBook, audio plays through your Apple TV's speakers or connected sound system by default. If you want sound to play on your Mac instead, open System Settings > Sound and change the output device before you start mirroring.

What if I do not see a four-digit code on my TV screen?

The code appears within a few seconds of clicking your Apple TV's name. If it does not show up, click Screen Mirroring again and select your Apple TV a second time. If the code still does not appear, restart your Apple TV and try once more.

Can I mirror from my iPhone or iPad to the same Apple TV?

Yes. iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks all use the same AirPlay technology. You can switch between mirroring different devices to the same Apple TV — just select Screen Mirroring on whichever device you want to use and enter the code.

Does mirroring slow down my MacBook?

Mirroring uses some processing power, but most modern MacBooks handle it without noticeable slowdown. If your Mac feels sluggish while mirroring, close unnecessary apps or browser tabs to free up resources.

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

No — mirroring always shows your entire MacBook screen. However, you can minimize other windows or use full-screen mode on the app you want to display, which hides everything else.

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.