How to Mirror your Mac Screen to Apple TV

TipsMake today will guide you to view your Mac computer screen on Apple TV using AirPlay. AirPlay requires a 2011 or later Mac, running Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) or later, with a second generation Apple TV or later connected to the TV. If your Mac can't connect to Apple TV via AirPlay, you'll need to use an HDMI cable.

Use Apple AirPlay

How to Mirror your Mac Screen to Apple TV Picture 1

Turn on Apple TV. If this is your first time using Apple TV, you may need to set up and adjust configurations before continuing.

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You need to make sure that your Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same Internet network. You may need to change your Mac's connection to match your Apple TV. To check your current connection:

Mac - Click the "Wi-Fi" icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, then look at the network name with a check mark next to it.

Apple TV - Open Settings , Select Network , and review the network name to the right of the "CONNECTION" heading.

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Open the Apple menu on your Mac. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen. A menu will drop down.

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Click System Preferences… (System customization). This option is in the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will appear.

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Click Displays . This desktop icon is on the left side of the System Preferences window.

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Click the Display tab at the top of the window.

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Click the "AirPlay Display" drop-down box. This option is near the bottom of the window. A menu will drop down.

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Click on the Apple TV option located in the drop-down menu. Your Mac will begin mirroring your screen to your Apple TV.

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Wait for the Mac screen to appear on Apple TV. When the Mac screen appears on Apple TV, you've succeeded.

You can check the "Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available" box near the bottom of the window to have the mirroring icon appear in the upper right corner of the screen. If you click on this rectangular icon, a menu will drop down with connection options.

If you want to play videos through your Apple TV speakers, you may need to change the sound settings on your Mac.

Turn on TV sound

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Click the "Back" button with the ⋮⋮⋮⋮ icon in the upper left corner of the Display window. You will return to the main System Preferences window.

If you exited the System Preferences window, you'll need to reopen the Apple menu and click System Preferences. before continuing.

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Click Sound . This speaker icon is located in the System Preferences window.

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Click the Output tab . It's at the top of the window.

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Click Apple TV . This option is below the "Select a device for sound output" heading near the top of the window.

If you don't see the Apple TV option here (or can't click it), you'll need to restart both your Apple TV and your Mac and repeat the steps above.

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Check the TV's speakers. Open a song or video on your Mac to see if there's sound coming from your Apple TV speakers; If so, then the Apple TV audio is set up.

If you're still only hearing sound from your Mac, restart both your computer and Apple TV and try again.