/ How to

How To Mirror and Cast a Mac Desktop Screen to a Smart TV

As someone who regularly gives presentations from my MacBook Pro both at home and at work, having the ability to easily display my Mac’s screen on a larger TV display is invaluable. Over the years, I have connected my Mac to various TVs and projectors using cables and wireless screen mirroring to share content from keynotes, documents, photos, videos, and more.

Based on my experience using AirPlay and Chromecast built-in to wirelessly mirror or cast my Mac’s screen, here is a comprehensive guide on how to set up and use these features to display your Mac on a smart TV.

What You Need

To mirror or cast your Mac desktop screen to a smart TV, here is what you need:

  • A Mac computer (MacBook, iMac, Mac mini etc.) running macOS Monterey or later
  • An Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV or other smart TV with AirPlay or Chromecast built-in
  • Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network

Mirror Using AirPlay

AirPlay is an Apple proprietary protocol that allows you to wirelessly stream content from Apple devices to AirPlay-enabled smart TVs and speakers.

Here are the steps to use AirPlay to mirror your Mac display:

  1. Ensure your smart TV and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. On your Mac, open Control Center by clicking the Control Center icon in the menu bar or using a keyboard shortcut (Fn + F12 on most MacBooks).
  3. In Control Center, click Screen Mirroring. This will open a list of available AirPlay devices.
  4. Select your smart TV from the list. Your Mac screen will now be mirrored to the TV display.
  5. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and click Disconnect next to your TV.

Pro Tip: You can also enable AirPlay mirroring directly from a Quick Action in the menu bar for faster access.

Cast Using Chromecast

Chromecast built-in allows you to cast or stream content from Chrome browser tabs on your Mac to a smart TV.

Follow these instructions to cast a Chrome tab from your Mac to TV:

  1. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. On your Mac, open the Chrome browser if it isn’t already open.
  3. Open a tab containing the content you wish to cast (website, video etc.)
  4. Click the Cast button in the toolbar. A list of available cast devices will appear.
  5. Choose your smart TV from the list. The tab will now be cast to the TV display.
  6. To stop casting, click the Cast button again and select Stop Casting.

Pro Tip: You can cast your entire desktop screen from Chrome using third-party extensions like Deskreen.

Mirror Wirelessly Using Third-Party Apps

There are also third-party apps like Reflector and AirServer that allow wireless AirPlay and Chromecast-like mirroring from a Mac to smart TVs:

  • Reflector – Install the Reflector app on your Mac and smart TV. You can then easily mirror your full Mac display over the local network without cables or internet required.
  • AirServer – Similarly installs on both devices with robust mirroring options. The TV acts as an AirPlay receiver.

These paid apps provide robust wireless mirroring solutions for displaying your Mac on a TV.

Connect with HDMI Cable

You can also directly connect your Mac to a TV using an HDMI cable:

  1. Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI port on your Mac to an HDMI port on the TV.
  2. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Displays
  3. Select your TV under the Arrangement tab and ensure Mirror Displays is checked.

Your Mac screen will now mirror directly through the HDMI cable. This avoids any lag or quality loss from wireless transmission.

Tips for Smoother Mirroring

Here are some tips to help your screen mirroring experience:

  • Reduce display resolution – Mirroring high resolution displays can have performance impacts leading to lag. Try reducing Mac resolution.
  • Update software – Ensure your Mac, smart TV, wireless router firmware is updated. Updates improve compatibility and performance.
  • Reboot devices – Rebooting your Mac and TV can clear any software glitches.
  • Minimize apps – Quit unused apps on the Mac to free up resources for smooth mirroring.
  • Position devices – Place TV and Mac closer together with minimal obstructions for better Wi-Fi signal.

Conclusion

Whether you need to share a presentation at work, display vacation photos at home for family and friends, or watch streaming video on a bigger screen, mirroring your Mac to a smart TV is easy with AirPlay, Chromecast or HDMI. Follow the simple steps outlined above to wirelessly or directly cast your Mac’s desktop screen to a TV for enjoyment and productivity.

Related Posts