How to Screen Mirror Your Mac to Apple TV

The Basic Steps to Mirror Your Mac Display

To mirror your Mac screen to Apple TV, open the Control Center on your Mac (click the icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar), then click Screen Mirroring. A list of available Apple TVs appears. Select the one you want, and your Mac display shows on your television within a few seconds. If prompted, enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen into your Mac to confirm the connection.

The entire process takes less than a minute once both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your Mac screen will appear exactly as it looks on your computer—same resolution, same apps, everything. You can continue using your Mac normally while mirrored, and the TV display updates in real time.

If you do not see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, your Mac model may be older or your Apple TV may not support AirPlay. Check that both devices are running current software versions and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

Open Control Center on your Mac, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the list that appears.
Both your Mac and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
You will need to enter a four-digit code shown on your TV into your Mac to confirm the first connection.
Once mirrored, your Mac screen displays on the TV in real time, and you can use your Mac normally while mirrored.
Older Mac models and some Apple TV generations do not support AirPlay mirroring—check your device specifications if the option does not appear.

What You Need Before You Start

Your Mac must be running macOS Big Sur or later to use Screen Mirroring through Control Center. If you have an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, you can still mirror using AirPlay, but the steps are slightly different—look for the AirPlay icon in your menu bar instead of using Control Center.

Your Apple TV must be a 4th-generation model or newer (Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD). Older Apple TV models do not support AirPlay mirroring from Mac. Both devices need to be plugged in and powered on, and they must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network—not a guest network or a different band of the same router.

If your Mac and Apple TV are on different networks, mirroring will not work. Check your Wi-Fi settings on both devices to confirm they are connected to the same network name.

Troubleshooting When Screen Mirroring Does Not Appear

If you open Control Center and do not see a Screen Mirroring option, first check that your Mac is running macOS Big Sur or later. Open the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look at the macOS version number. If you are running an older version, you can still mirror using the AirPlay menu in your menu bar, or you can update your Mac to a newer macOS version.

If your Mac is current but Screen Mirroring still does not appear, restart both your Mac and your Apple TV. Unplug the Apple TV from power for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then restart your Mac. After both devices have restarted, try opening Control Center again.

If the option still does not appear, your Apple TV model may be too old to support AirPlay from Mac. Check the Apple TV model number (found in Settings > About on the TV itself) against Apple's current compatibility list. Fourth-generation Apple TV and newer support Mac mirroring.

Connecting When Your Wi-Fi Network Has Special Settings

If your Wi-Fi network requires a login page (common in hotels, offices, or public spaces), your devices may not be able to find each other for mirroring. Both your Mac and Apple TV need to complete the network login before they can communicate. Log into the network on both devices separately, then try mirroring again.

If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names, make sure both your Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same band. Some older Apple TV models work better on 2.4 GHz, while newer Macs may prefer 5 GHz. Check your Wi-Fi settings on each device and connect them to the same network name.

If you have a mesh Wi-Fi system (like Eero, Netgear Orbi, or similar), both devices should connect automatically to the same network. If mirroring still does not work, restart both the Mac and Apple TV, then try again.

What Happens When You Mirror and How to Stop

Once mirroring is active, everything on your Mac screen appears on your TV. If you have multiple displays connected to your Mac, only the primary display mirrors—secondary displays do not. Your Mac's audio also plays through the Apple TV by default, so adjust the TV volume to control sound level.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your Mac screen will no longer appear on the TV, and audio will return to your Mac's speakers. The connection closes when ready.

If you want to mirror again to the same Apple TV, you do not need to enter the four-digit code a second time—your Mac remembers the pairing. Just open Control Center, select Screen Mirroring, and choose the Apple TV. The connection happens in seconds.

Using Your Mac While Mirrored

Your Mac remains fully functional while mirrored. You can open apps, type, click, and navigate normally. Everything you do on your Mac shows on the TV screen in real time. This is useful for presentations, watching videos, or sharing your screen with others in the room.

If you want to use your Mac for something else while keeping the TV display unchanged, you can disconnect the mirroring and use your Mac independently. There is no way to mirror only part of your screen or to show different content on your Mac and TV at the same time—mirroring always shows your entire Mac display.

If you are concerned about privacy during a presentation, close any apps or browser tabs you do not want visible before you start mirroring. Once mirrored, anything on your Mac screen is visible on the TV.

When to Call Apple Support

If you have followed all the troubleshooting steps—restarted both devices, confirmed they are on the same Wi-Fi network, and verified that your Mac is running Big Sur or later and your Apple TV is 4th generation or newer—and mirroring still does not work, contact Apple Support. They can check for software issues or hardware problems that prevent the connection.

If mirroring works but the picture is choppy, freezes, or cuts out frequently, the issue is usually Wi-Fi signal strength. Move your Mac and Apple TV closer to your router, or check whether other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth. If the problem persists after moving closer to the router, Apple Support can help diagnose whether it is a network issue or a device issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my Mac to an older Apple TV model?

No. Only Apple TV 4th generation and newer support AirPlay mirroring from Mac. If you have an older Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier), you cannot mirror your Mac to it. You would need to upgrade to a newer Apple TV model to use this feature.

Do I need to enter the code every time I mirror?

No. The first time you mirror to an Apple TV, you enter a four-digit code to confirm the pairing. After that, your Mac remembers the connection, and you can mirror again without entering the code. If you unpair the devices or reset your Apple TV, you will need to enter the code again on the next connection.

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

Mirroring will not work if they are on different networks. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network name. Check your Wi-Fi settings on both your Mac and Apple TV to confirm they are on the same network, then try mirroring again.

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

No. Screen mirroring always shows your entire Mac display on the TV. You cannot mirror only a single app or window. If you want to show only one app, you can minimize or close other apps before mirroring, but the entire screen will still be visible.

Why is my mirrored video choppy or delayed?

Choppy or delayed video usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move your Mac and Apple TV closer to your router, or disconnect other devices that are using a lot of bandwidth. If the problem continues, restart both devices and try again.

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.