Mirror Mac Screen to Apple TV: Step-by-Step

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can mirror your Mac’s screen to an Apple TV using AirPlay, which lets you display your Mac’s desktop, apps, and video on your TV wirelessly. This guide covers the built-in methods, the requirements, and how to fix common issues.

What You Need

To mirror your Mac to an Apple TV, you need the following:

A Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later (AirPlay to Apple TV requires this or newer).
An Apple TV (3rd generation or later, though 4th generation or later is recommended).
Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network (or connected via Ethernet with the same network).
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on for the Mac (for the best connection).

Make sure your Mac and Apple TV are on the same network. If you have multiple networks (like a guest network), they won’t see each other.

How to Mirror Your Mac Screen

There are two main ways to start mirroring:

Using the Control Center: Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner, looks like two toggles). Click “Screen Mirroring� (or “Display� in older macOS versions). Select your Apple TV from the list. Your Mac’s screen will appear on the TV.
Using AirPlay from an App: In apps like Safari, QuickTime, or Photos, look for the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Click it and choose your Apple TV. This mirrors just that app’s content, not the whole desktop.

To stop mirroring, click the Screen Mirroring icon again and select “Turn Off,� or press the Menu button on the Apple TV remote.

What You Can Mirror

You can mirror the entire desktop, which shows everything on your Mac’s display. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or watching videos. Alternatively, you can extend your desktop, using the TV as a second monitor. To do this, go to System Settings > Displays, then hold the Option key and click “Detect Displays.� Then, in the Arrangement tab, drag the white menu bar to the TV’s rectangle to make it the primary display.

Some apps, like Netflix or YouTube, might not allow full-screen mirroring due to copyright. In that case, the video may appear with a black border or only the audio might play. This is normal and not a problem with your setup.

Why Isn’t It Working? Common Issues

If your Mac doesn’t see the Apple TV, try these in order:

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Go to System Settings > Network on your Mac and check the Wi-Fi name. On the Apple TV, go to Settings > Network.
Restart both devices. Unplug the Apple TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your Mac.
Update software. Ensure your Mac is on the latest macOS and the Apple TV on the latest tvOS.
Turn off any VPN or firewall that might block local network traffic.
On the Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and AirPlay Receiver (or AirPlay) and make sure it’s on.
If you have an older Apple TV (3rd generation), it only supports AirPlay, not AirPlay 2, so you may need to be closer to the router.

If you still have issues, try using an Ethernet cable for the Apple TV (if possible) to improve stability.

Using Your Mac as an AirPlay Receiver

You can also do the reverse: use your Mac as an AirPlay receiver to mirror your iPhone or another Mac. On your Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff, and check “AirPlay Receiver.� Then, from your iPhone or another Mac, you can AirPlay to your Mac. This is handy if you don’t have an Apple TV but want to view content on a larger monitor.

Alternatives to AirPlay

If AirPlay isn’t working or you don’t have an Apple TV, you have other options:

HDMI cable: Connect your Mac directly to the TV using an HDMI cable (you may need an adapter for USB-C or Thunderbolt). This provides a wired, lag-free connection.
Third-party apps: Apps like AirServer or Reflector can turn a Windows PC or another Mac into an AirPlay receiver, but they cost money.
Chromecast: If you have a Chromecast, you can use the Google Chrome browser to cast a tab to the TV, but this only works for the browser, not the whole screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen mirroring work with an older Mac?

AirPlay to Apple TV requires macOS Mojave (10.14) or later. If you have an older macOS, you can still use AirPlay from the menu bar (the AirPlay icon) in earlier versions, but the feature is more limited. For very old Macs (pre-2011), you might need a wired connection.

Can I mirror without Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can use a peer-to-peer AirPlay connection if both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, even without a router. This works with Apple TV (4th generation or later) and Macs from 2012 or later. Just make sure both are on the same network or have Bluetooth on.

Why is there a delay between the Mac and the TV?

AirPlay introduces a small delay (usually 1-2 seconds) because the video is compressed and sent over Wi-Fi. This is normal and not noticeable for videos, but it may be noticeable for gaming or typing. For real-time tasks, use an HDMI cable.

Can I mirror only a specific app, not the whole screen?

Yes, many apps support app-specific AirPlay. For example, in Safari, you can click the AirPlay icon in the video player to send just that video to the TV. This is more efficient and often has better quality than full-screen mirroring.

Will mirroring drain my Mac’s battery quickly?

Yes, mirroring uses more battery because it encodes video and uses Wi-Fi. If you’re on a MacBook, expect battery life to drop faster than normal. Plugging in is recommended for long sessions.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.