How to Screen Mirror Your MacBook to Apple TV

Connect Your MacBook to Apple TV Using AirPlay

Screen mirroring from your MacBook to Apple TV uses Apple's AirPlay feature, which wirelessly sends your entire display to your TV. Your MacBook and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, you can mirror in about 30 seconds by clicking the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your Mac, selecting AirPlay, and choosing your Apple TV from the list.

The process works the same way on any recent MacBook model running macOS Big Sur or newer. Your Apple TV needs to be a second-generation model or later. If your devices are on different networks or your Apple TV is offline, the option will not appear in the AirPlay menu.

Key Takeaways

Both your MacBook and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
Open Control Center on your Mac by clicking the icon in the top-right corner, then select AirPlay and choose your Apple TV.
Your entire MacBook screen will display on the TV, including the menu bar and any open windows.
You can extend your display instead of mirroring it, which lets you use your TV as a second monitor while keeping different content on each screen.
To stop mirroring, return to Control Center, select AirPlay, and click Turn Off AirPlay Display.

Check Your Network Connection First

Before you attempt to mirror, confirm that your MacBook and Apple TV are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On your MacBook, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner and note which network you are on. Then check your Apple TV: go to Settings, select Network, and verify it shows the same network name.

If your devices are on different networks—for example, if your MacBook is on your main Wi-Fi and your Apple TV is on a guest network—mirroring will not work. Switch one of them to match the other. If you do not know your Wi-Fi password, you can change the network on your Apple TV without restarting anything.

Make sure your Apple TV is powered on and fully booted. If you just turned it on, wait 10 to 15 seconds for it to finish loading before you try to mirror.

Open Control Center and Select AirPlay

On your MacBook, locate the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar—it looks like a grid of four squares. Click it to open a panel of quick-access controls. Scroll down or look for the AirPlay option, which shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.

Click AirPlay to see a list of available devices. Your Apple TV will appear by name—for example, "Living Room" or "Apple TV." Click the name of your Apple TV. Your MacBook will when ready begin mirroring, and you should see your desktop appear on your TV within a few seconds.

If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, go back and double-check that both devices are on the same network and that your Apple TV is powered on. If it still does not show up, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot.

Understand the Difference Between Mirroring and Extending

When you mirror, your MacBook screen displays exactly on your TV. Everything you see on your Mac—windows, menu bar, cursor—appears on the television. This is useful for presentations, watching videos together, or showing someone what is on your screen.

Extending your display is different. Instead of showing the same image on both screens, extending lets you use your TV as a second monitor. You can drag windows between your MacBook and the TV, keeping different content on each. To extend instead of mirror, hold the Option key while you click the AirPlay menu, then select "Use as Separate Display" instead of "Mirror Display."

Extending is helpful if you want to work on your MacBook while displaying a presentation or video on the TV, or if you need extra screen space. Mirroring is simpler for one-way sharing—when you want everyone looking at the same thing.

Adjust Resolution and Refresh Rate if Needed

By default, your MacBook will mirror at a resolution that works well for most TVs. If the image looks blurry, stretched, or the text is hard to read, you can adjust the settings. On your MacBook, go to System Settings, then Displays. Look for the option labeled with your Apple TV's name (it will appear as an external display).

Click on that display and you will see resolution options. Try selecting a lower resolution if the text is too small, or a higher one if the image looks fuzzy. Some Apple TVs also let you adjust the refresh rate—60 Hz is standard and works for most uses, but you can experiment if you notice flickering.

Keep in mind that lower resolutions may make text smaller on your TV, while higher resolutions may make everything on your screen appear smaller. Find the balance that works for your viewing distance and the size of your TV.

Troubleshoot Common Mirroring Problems

If your MacBook and Apple TV are on the same network but mirroring still will not start, try these steps in order. First, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Second, restart your MacBook. Third, forget the Wi-Fi network on your MacBook and reconnect to it: click the Wi-Fi icon, select your network, click "Forget," then reconnect by entering your password again.

If mirroring starts but the image is choppy, laggy, or keeps disconnecting, move your MacBook closer to your Apple TV or your Wi-Fi router. Walls, distance, and interference from other devices can weaken the signal. If you are far from the router, try moving to a location closer to it and see if the connection improves.

If the audio is not coming through your TV speakers, check your Apple TV's audio settings. Go to Settings, select Audio and Video, and confirm that the audio output is set to your TV or receiver, not to headphones or another device. On your MacBook, also check that the volume is not muted and that your Mac is not set to output audio to a different device.

Stop Mirroring When You Are Done

To end the mirroring session, open Control Center on your MacBook again and click the AirPlay option. You will see your Apple TV listed with a checkmark next to it. Click "Turn Off AirPlay Display" or straightforward select a different device. Your MacBook screen will return to displaying only on your laptop, and your TV will show whatever it was displaying before you started mirroring.

You do not need to do anything on the Apple TV side—stopping the mirroring on your Mac automatically disconnects the connection. Your Apple TV will remain on the same network and ready for the next time you want to mirror.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror audio only without showing my screen?

No, AirPlay mirroring sends both video and audio together. If you want to play audio through your Apple TV speakers without mirroring your screen, use AirPlay audio instead: open Control Center, click the audio icon (speaker), and select your Apple TV. This plays sound only, leaving your TV screen unchanged.

Why does my MacBook get hot when I mirror to Apple TV?

Screen mirroring uses more processing power than normal use, which can make your MacBook warm. This is normal. If it becomes uncomfortably hot, close unnecessary applications, take a break, or move your MacBook to a well-ventilated area. Your Mac will cool down once you stop mirroring.

Can I mirror from my MacBook while using it normally?

Yes. When you mirror, your MacBook continues to work normally. You can open new windows, type, click, and use your trackpad while the TV displays everything you do. The TV shows exactly what is on your MacBook screen in real time.

What if I have an older Apple TV that does not support AirPlay?

First-generation Apple TV models do not support AirPlay mirroring. If you have an older model, you can check by going to Settings on the Apple TV and looking for an AirPlay option. If it is not there, you will need a second-generation Apple TV or newer to use screen mirroring from your MacBook.

Does mirroring work over a wired Ethernet connection on Apple TV?

Yes. Your Apple TV can be connected to your network via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. As long as your MacBook is on the same network (whether Wi-Fi or wired), mirroring will work. The connection between your MacBook and Apple TV uses Wi-Fi even if your Apple TV is wired to your router.

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