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How to Mirror MacBook to TV: Best Solutions in 2023

Olga Weis Olga Weis Nov 21, 2022

In this article, you will learn how to mirror MacBook to TV wirelessly with third-party apps and via AirPlay, as well as using a wired cable. We’ve compiled the best solutions with their pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

How to Mirror Mac to TV with Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps are incredibly helpful when you want to mirror Mac to TV wirelessly and effortlessly. But with so many different apps to choose from, which one is the best for you? How do you decide between price, functionality, interface, etc. Thankfully, we were able to do all the heavy lifting for you. So, if you are wondering "How do I mirror my MacBook to my TV", here is a list of the best, reliable, and efficient third-party apps for you to try.

JustStream App to Screen Mirror Mac to TV

JustStream
4.6 Rank based on 438 + users Reviews(227)
Requirements: macOS 10.12
Version: v2.7(531), Released 29 Nov, 2022 Release notes
Category: Video

This lightweight screen mirror Mac application tops our list of third-party apps. It enables you to mirror Mac to Chromecast, Smart TVs which support AirPlay, AirPlay 2, or DLNA protocols without conversion, complex setup, or additional hardware. Once you have added your files to the app, it automatically picks the available devices on the network.

JustStream is capable of mirroring a wide range of files, including videos, audio, images, and software. It also supports many TV brands, including Samsung, Roku, Panasonic, LG, Sony among others.

How to mirror Mac to TV with JustStream.

icon pros Pros:

  • Streams to AirPlay, Chromecast, or DLNA-compatible devices
  • Create playlists even with videos if unsupported by receiver formats
  • No need to adapt to the target display when mirroring the Mac desktop
  • Able to mirror with sound.

icon cons Cons:

  • You can only stream or mirror for free for 20 minutes.

How to Mirror Mac to TV and Other Devices Using JustStream:


Get started in JustStream with these easy steps!

1
Get JustStream installed on your macOS device.
2
Open it and click the JustStream icon on the Menu Bar.
3
Select the source monitor.
4

Push the AirPlay icon and select the receiver. This could be a TV or a Wi-Fi dongle.

Mirror Mac to Smart TV.

5

Push "Start Streaming". If you want to stop the stream, push "Stop Streaming".

How to stream from macOS to TV.


Things to note:

By default, the sound from your Mac won’t be broadcasted. Follow the instructions here to enable it.

By default, the first available device will be selected for mirroring.

If you cannot see the receiving device on the list, make sure that it is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Then try refreshing the device list.

The screen mirroring settings are accessible through Preferences > Mirroring.

AirBeamTV — a MacBook Mirror Alternative App

AirBeamTV offers you a variety of apps. You can either buy software specifically designed for your TV or obtain a smart TV mirroring package with apps for various TV brands.

These apps usually have a latency period of up to 3 seconds, which makes it impossible for you to mirror real-time gaming. They work best when mirroring movies, presentations, photos, browsing, etc. Whether you are using macOS or iOS devices, the AirBeamTV app enables you to screen mirror Mac to Chromecast, Amazon FireTV, or Roku. What’s more, you do not need cables or other additional equipment to share your MacBook screen. It makes the mirroring process simple and quick.

Mirror Mac to TV wirelessly.

icon pros Pros:

  • Supports a wide range of TV brands
  • Offers a simple and easy-to-use user interface.

icon cons Cons:

  • Audio casting can be problematic
  • When casting audio, you can’t connect the device before you open the program.

How to Mirror from MacBook to TV with AirBeamTV:

1
Get AirBeamTV installed on your Mac.
2
In addition, get the audio driver.
3
Click the AirBeam icon on your Menu Bar.
4
Make sure that your TV is on and connected to the same network.
5
In AirBeam, use the drop-down menu to select your TV and click "Start Mirroring".

AirParrot 3 — a Simple Way to Mirror a Mac

If you want to share your phone, tablet, or MacBook’s screen to a bigger screen without using cables or doing complex setups, then you should consider AirParrot 3. With this app, you are able to share media content from a variety of devices wirelessly.

This app is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Chrome OS. If you want to mirror presentations in the classroom, auditorium, boardroom, or transmit movies in just a few clicks without adapters and cables, you need a third-party app like AirParrot 3.

This mirror Mac app also allows you to mirror either the whole screen or just a specific program. Furthermore, there are no distractions when adjusting display settings. Once it’s installed, this app searches for and displays the available receivers on your network automatically.

How to screen mirror MacBook to TV.

icon pros Pros:

  • Simple interface
  • Supports the sharing of desktop, app, and media
  • Multi-platform
  • Ideal for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS
  • It’s cheaper than some alternatives.

icon cons Cons:

  • Restricted video-playback panels
  • Ideal for local networks only.

How to Screen Mirror from Mac to TV using AirParrot 3:

1
Install AirParrot 3.
2
Expand the AirParrot widget on your Toolbar.
3
Turn your TV on and ensure that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi source.
4
Refresh the "To…" list in AirParrot.
5
If it’s not already selected, set your Mac screen as the source.
6
Select your TV from the list. Mirroring should begin.

Mirror Mac to TV with HDMI

Instead of using third-party applications, there is another method of screen mirroring Macbook to TV that uses additional hardware.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a cable that enables you to share HD audio and video between devices. It supports many audio-visual devices such as projectors, Xbox, digital televisions, DVD players, PlayStation, etc.

How to mirror Mac to smart TV with HDMI.

How to Screen Mirror Mac to TV with HDMI:

1
Locate the HDMI port and then plug in the HDMI cable on your TV. HDMI port is usually on the back or the side of the TV.
2
Determine your Mac video output.
3
Buy the correct cable for your Mac. It can be USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter or Thunderbolt 2 to HDMI cable.
4
Plug one end of your HDMI cable in your Mac or port adapter.
5
Turn on your TV and change your TV input to the HDMI input.
6
Now you just need to wait and see your screen on your TV.
Things to note:

Most recent iMac computers have an oval port, also known as USB-C or Thunderbolt. If your Mac has a Thunderbolt 3 port, you need a USB-C to HDMI cable.

On most older Mac computers, you find a squared-off port, known as Thunderbolt 2. If your laptop has it, you will need a Thunderbolt 2 to HDMI cable (or a Thunderbolt 2 to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable).

How to Screen Mirror from MacBook to TV via AirPlay

AirPlay protocol is normally pre-installed in most MacBook devices. This makes it the most reliable and commonly used method of mirroring macOS screens to bigger TVs and other AirPlay-enabled Smart TVs. And it does so without additional hardware or software. This proprietary protocol suite is ideal for education, media, and enterprise. All you need to do is open AirPlay, choose the target device and watch.

How to mirror Mac to TV wirelessly.

However, you need to make sure all the devices you use are compatible before using AirPlay to mirror your content. Here is a list of devices you need when using AirPlay to screen mirror Mac display:

  • Apple TV 2 (2010)
  • Apple TV 4K (2017)
  • Apple TV 3 (2012)
  • Apple TV 4 (2015)

And:

  • iMac (2011 onward)
  • iMac Pro (2017 onward)
  • Mac mini (2011 onward)
  • MacBook (2015 onward)
  • MacBook Air (2011 onward)
  • MacBook Pro (2011 onward)
  • Mac Pro (2013 onward)

If you don’t own an Apple TV, you can simply use any other compatible TV screen with preinstalled AirPlay 2. The good thing is that the market is full of compatible TV screens, including Samsung, Sony, and LG TV screens.

How to Mirror Your Mac to Apple TV via AirPlay:

1
Get your Mac and your AirPlay 2 Smart TV connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2
Click the AirPlay icon in the Menu Bar. If you don’t see it, enable it from the Apple menu, by going to System Preferences > Displays.
3
Choose the TV from the drop-down menu. It may be necessary to put in a passcode - you’ll find it on the TV screen.
4
Click the AirPlay icon and select "Turn AirPlay Off" to stop mirroring.

What Is Screen Mirroring and How Does It Work?

Often referred to as screen sharing, screen mirroring is the process of duplicating a different display. This functionality is commonly used in conferences, classroom presentations, and video calls.

Screen mirroring on Mac can be done in two ways. You can use a cable to connect your device to the TV screen or install an app. Each method has upsides and downsides - for example, wires have limited length and get in the way, while Wi-Fi has a delay and requires a consistent connection.


What is screen mirroring and how does it work.


Wired and Wireless Solutions to Share Your Screen

Wired Mirroring. HDMI cables are used to connect devices to an external display. If you are using a device that has an HDMI port, then you only need to connect one end of the cable to the device and the other one to the display. Older devices may not have HDMI ports; VGA was common, and it requires an adapter to connect to HDMI. USB to HDMI also exists, but it’s much better to have a dedicated graphics port.

Wireless Mirroring. If you mirror Mac to TV wirelessly, you’ll get similar results to wired mirroring. It’s pretty easy to work with, since most devices come equipped with built-in wireless capabilities nowadays. Not having to deal with tangling cables is another plus.

How to Mirror iOS/iPadOS Devices to macOS or an AirPlay TV:

1
The two devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2
Select "Screen Mirroring" from the mobile device’s Control Center. On older iOS versions, you need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. On newer ones (iOS 12, iPadOS 13, or later), swipe down from the right corner.
3
If everything is set up correctly, the TV or the Mac should appear in the list.
4
If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod requests a passcode, you’ll find it on the TV screen.

To interrupt the process, go to "Screen Mirroring" again, but this time, select "Stop Mirroring". If you’re using an Apple TV, a single press of the Menu button will do the trick.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes. You can find the "Screen Mirroring" option in the Control Center on your MacBook Pro. Alternatively, there are third-party apps that allow you to mirror and stream multimedia content from your MacBook Pro to TV screens over the local network.
To start mirroring your MacBook screen to an external display, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select "Screen Mirroring" and then choose the device you want to mirror your screen to. The steps above assume you are using the latest macOS.
If you're unable to mirror your MacBook Pro screen to your TV, make sure both of your devices are turned on and close to each other, and check if your devices have the latest software and are on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s also worth turning Wi-Fi off and on and restarting your devices.
If you're having trouble getting your Mac's screen to display on your TV, try restarting both your TV and Mac. Also, your TV may not be compatible with AirPlay. In this case, you can use a dedicated screen mirroring app such as JustStream.
JustStream
Requirements: OS X 10.12+ , 38.05MB size
Version 2.7(531) (29 Nov, 2022) Release notes
Category: Video