How To Use AirPlay From a Mac to a TV Screen

If you use your Mac to stream your favorite movies, you may want to view them on a bigger screen. Perhaps you want to have a movie night with your family or besties, but your laptop is too small or your computer isn’t in a convenient place.

Fortunately, you can use AirPlay to view what’s on your Mac on a TV screen. In this article, we’ll discuss how to view anything that’s on your Mac’s screen and mirror it onto your TV.

How to Use AirPlay From a Mac to a TV Screen

There’s no better way to watch your favorite streaming films than in the comfort of your own home. Although watching films and videos is great on your Mac, the experience is even better when viewed on your TV screen.

By using a technique called mirroring, you can view whatever is on your Mac’s screen on your TV. All that’s required is a Wi-Fi connection and an AirPlay-compatible TV. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Using the menu at the top of your screen, select the “Control Center” icon.
   
2. From the Control Center window, click on “Screen Mirroring.”
   
3. Select the name of the device you’d like to display to (for example, Apple TV.)
   

Once you’ve selected the device, your Mac’s screen will be mirrored. When you’re done mirroring, here’s how to disable AirPlay:

1. Return to the “Control Center” window and tap “Screen Mirroring.”
   
2. Using the drop-down menu, select “Display Preferences.”
   
3. From the popup window, click “Disconnect” and then “Done.”

That’s all there is to it. With just a few clicks or taps, you can use AirPlay to display what’s on your Mac’s screen on your smart TV. Disabling this feature is just as simple.

Requirements for AirPlay to Work on Your TV

There are only a few requirements for AirPlay to work on your TV. Luckily, if you don’t have an Apple TV, it will also work on other devices. To ensure that you can mirror your Mac’s screen to your smart TV, here’s all you need to know.

Ensure That Your Smart TV Is AirPlay-Compatible

Most smart TVs are AirPlay-compatible. Many models have their factory default settings with AirPlay turned on. Roku TVs and some other streaming devices are also AirPlay-compatible. Check your device’s documentation to see if it’s AirPlay-compatible too.

Network Connection

For seamless use, you’ll want your Mac and smart TV connected to the same wireless network. For most users, this is probably already set up. If your Mac and smart TV are using different networks, it’s best to connect them to the same wireless network.

Update Your Smart TV Software

For AirPlay to work at its best, you should periodically check for updates to your TV’s software. Ensuring that your software is up to date will provide the best viewing experience. Check your smart TV’s documentation for how to update the software.

FAQs

AirPlay isn’t working. What should I do?

On occasion, you may have a problem getting AirPlay to mirror from your Mac to your smart TV. Thankfully, this issue is usually easy to fix. Here are some things you can try to get it working properly:

• Ensure your Mac and smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network

• Restart both your Mac and smart TV

• Make sure your smart TV is AirPlay-compatible

• Power off and restart Wi-Fi

Can I only use AirPlay on my Mac to display on a TV screen?

You’re not limited to using Airplay from only your Mac. You can use it to mirror your device’s screen on your AirPlay-compatible TV with an iPhone, MacBook, or iPad.

My smart TV is AirPlay-compatible but it’s not working. How do I fix this?

If you’re sure that your smart TV is AirPlay-compatible but it’s not mirroring from your Mac, the most likely reason is that it’s not enabled on your TV. Go through your TV’s menu options and locate the AirPlay settings. Depending on your TV’s user interface, you usually just need to set it to “enabled” or “on.”

Go From Your Mac’s Screen to Your TV in Just a Few Clicks

AirPlay is a great way to go from a small screen to a big screen display. Using Wi-Fi, a Mac, and a smart TV, you can easily mirror what’s on your Mac’s screen and watch it on your TV. The setup is just a few clicks away. Note that you don’t need an Apple TV to use AirPlay. Most smart TVs are AirPlay-compatible.

Have you used AirPlay to mirror your Mac to a smart TV? Did you use the same method outlined in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.