How To Connect A Macbook Air To A Monitor

Before you begin, make sure both the monitor and your MacBook are powered on. You can connect to any wireless monitor, Apple TV, smart TV, or streaming device that support AirPlay 2. [1] X Research source

Not all monitors support AirPlay. If your monitor does not support AirPlay, you can purchase an Apple TV streaming box to connect to your TV through AirPlay.

To disconnect from the monitor. click the AirPlay icon in the Menu bar, then click Turn off AirPlay. [2] X Research source

Some newer Macbook Airs do not have an HDMI or MiniDisplay Port. If this is the case, you will need to purchase a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter to connect your Macbook Air to a monitor. An HDMI cable is about 3/4 of an inch wide with the bottom slightly smaller than the top. A Mini Displayport is square-shaped with the bottom corners cut. It’s the exact same shape as a Thunderbolt port. A Thunderbolt port and Mini Displayport have the same shaped port, but they are not the same. Check the labels on the port. A Mini Displayport has an icon that resembles a screen. A Thunderbolt port has an icon that resembles a lightning bolt. [3] X Research source

Make sure you get a cable that is long enough to connect your MacBook and your monitor. If need be, measure the distance between the devices. Mini Displayport cables have a Mini Displayport plug on one end, and an HDMI port on the other end of the cable. You can also purchase a Mini Displayport adapter to connect an HDMI cable directly to a Mini Displayport. If your monitor you are using does not have an HDMI or Mini Displayport, you can purchase an adapter from Apple or another electronics retailer. These include a MiniDisplay-to-DVI, and MiniDisplay-to-VGA adapters, as well as HDMI-to-DVI adapters.

If there is more than one HDMI port on your monitor, make a note of which port you are connecting to. HDMI ports are usually numbered.

To change the resolution of your MacBook display, select “Scaled” without holding the “Options” key.

If it’s an HD monitor, select up to 1900 x 1080. If it’s a 4k or more display, select up to 3840 x 2160

Checking “Screen Mirroring” displays your MacBook display on the monitor exactly as it appears on your MacBook.

Click the Apple icon in the menu bar. Click System Preferences (Click About this Mac on earlier version of macOS). Click Software Update. Click Update Now if any updates are available.

Click the Apple icon in the menu bar. Click System Preferences. Click Security & Privacy. Click the Firewall tab. Click the lock icon in the lower-right corner. Enter your administrative password. Click Firewall Options Ensure the box next to “Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections” is checked. Click Ok

Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner in the menu bar. Type “System Information” in the bar and and press Enter. Click Applications in the menu bar to the left. Double-click AirPlayUIAgent.