Do you want to supersize your MacBook Pro’s screen for your working or for your gaming needs? Adding it to an external display would be the right thing to do. Don’t be scared, this is an easy thing to do. You will be able to do this efficaciously if you follow the steps given below.

  1. Connect the External Display

  • You can connect the external display to the MacBook Pro using Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, Micro-DVI, Mini-DVI, and Thunderbolt. The process with each of them is the same.
  • Just connect the MacBook to the external display with the necessary adapters and cables.
  • Power on the monitor, Mac detects the external monitor, automatically. It serves as an extended desktop.
  • In case the MacBook doesn’t recognize the external display, open System Preferences. Here, you will find Display Setting Options. Tap on ‘Detect Displays’ and hold the key for making changes in it. This will make the external display function adequately.
  • If the external display still isn’t detected, check if the cables are well-connected and the monitor is on. When it still doesn’t work, know that something is wrong with the connectors.

  1. Set Monitor as Primary Desktop

When you get the additional monitor detected, you might want to use it as the primary desktop. This means that the dock, desktop, and menu bar will display on the additional monitor. For doing this, go to “Display” and then the sub-menu Arrangement, you will find a small white color menu bar over the desktop window of MAC to the thumbnail of the external monitor. The two screens will be set to a new configuration.

  1. Adjust Display Resolution

  • To adjust the resolution of the added monitor, alter it to a suitable scaled version. However, keeping it on default is always the best option. In case you are unsure, simply stick to it.
  • Check if you selected the Display on the external screen, then change it to Scaled from Default for Display for selecting the resolution you prefer.

  1. Rotating Display

Some people would like to have a second display in a vertical position. If the monitor that you have connected can rotate in between landscape and vertical orientation, and you would like to get the vertical look, ensure that you have the right setting for this. Check if you selected the Display setting on the external monitor. Now, rotate as per your preference.

  1. Mirror Displays

If you want, you can opt for Mirror Display. This way the external display will show the things that are appearing on your MacBook Pro screen. While the video mirrors, the MacBook will try using the same resolution or even the closest resolution from the built-in display to adjust to the external monitor.

  1. Use MacBook with Lid Closed

  • In case what you want is just a bigger display, you will be able to do so with the use of the clamshell mode.
  • For doing this, you will have to connect the MacBook to the power adapter.
  • Also, you are going to require an external mouse and keyboard.
  • When using a wired mouse and keyboard, make sure that these are connected.
  • Now, just close the MacBook lid. The desktop will appear automatically on the monitor following a blue flush. However, if you are using Snow Leopard or a version older than that, click on the mouse button or press a key for seeing the desktop.
  • For the Bluetooth device, the same thing is applicable. Check if they are paired and then check if the settings are right. Go to Preference, then Bluetooth, and tap on advanced for this.

  1. Use AirPlay

You can also use your Apple TV as your extended monitor and mirror your Mac’s display, or you can use the TV as a separate display. You can turn on AirPlay by following the steps below:

  • Turn on your TV.
  • Select in the menu bar. Next, choose your TV. If the AirPlay passcode shows up on the TV screen, input the passcode on your Macbook.
  • You have the option to mirror your display or use the TV as a separate display:
  • Choose if you decide to mirror your display and then select Mirror Built-in Display.
  • If you use your TV as an extended monitor, select then pick the Use As Separate Display.
  • If you want to turn off AirPlay, pick then select the Turn AirPlay off.
  • In case you cannot find it in the menu tab, select Apple menu > system preferences and then click displays, choose the “Show mirroring options in the menu bar if available” and tick the box.

How do I use an external monitor with my MacBook?

If so, here’s how you enable it:
  1. Make sure that your external display is turned on and connected to your Mac.
  2. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Displays, then click the Arrangement tab.
  3. Make sure that the Mirror Displays checkbox is selected.

How do I connect my MacBook Pro to a monitor with HDMI?

Connect to HDMI from your Mac
  1. HDMI port: Connects directly to HDMI using an HDMI cable.
  2. USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port: Connects to HDMI using an adapter, such as the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
  3. Mini DisplayPort: Connects to HDMI using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or cable.

Can I connect a PC monitor to my MacBook pro?

If you’re using a Mac with Apple silicon: You can connect one external display to your Mac using either of the Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. On iMac and Mac mini, connect your display to either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol . On Mac mini (M1, 2020), you can connect a second display to the HDMI port.

Why won’t my MacBook Pro connect to my monitor?

Check your cable or adapter

Disconnect the cable from your external display from your Mac, then reconnect it. If the cable from your external display doesn’t connect to the ports on your Mac, you can use a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C adapter.

How do I connect my MacBook Pro to an external monitor 2015?

How do I connect my MacBook Pro to an external monitor 2016?

Use a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to connect to an HDMI display. In addition to HDMI, this adapter lets you connect a standard USB device and a USB-C charging cable to charge your MacBook Pro. Use a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter to connect to a VGA display or projector.

How do I connect my MacBook to a monitor without HDMI?

How many displays can a MacBook pro support?

Up to four displays with 4096‑by‑2304 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors.

How do I connect my Mac to a monitor via USB?

Is Thunderbolt the same as USB-C?

Can USB-C connect to Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly the same as USB–C ports, and indeed, the connector is physically the same from a plug-in perspective. Indeed, Thunderbolt 3 is a superset of USB–C; you can plug a USB–C-only device into a Thunderbolt 3 port on a computer, and it’ll work just fine.

Is USB 4 the same as Thunderbolt?

Because the USB–C connection is proving to be very popular, the latest version of the connectivity specification called Thunderbolt has formally adopted USB–C as its physical hardware. That means you can use any Thunderbolt 3 cable as a USB–C cable, and any Thunderbolt 3 port can use a USB–C cable.

How do I connect my Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI?

USB4 is built on a Thunderbolt 3 backbone, so many of its capabilities are the same. Whereas USB 3.0’s best version hit a ceiling of 20Gbps, USB4 is capable of 40Gbps, just like Thunderbolt 3 (and 4). And while you can still find both USB-A and USB-C forms for USB 3.0, USB4 is going strictly with the USB-C form factor.

Is Thunderbolt 3 compatible with HDMI?

To use it, simply plug in the Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI 2.0 Adapter into one of your computer’s Thunderbolt 3 ports, and then connect HDMI cables (sold separately) between the adapter and your monitors. Your computer powers the Sonnet adapter, so there’s no need to connect an additional power supply.

Is Thunderbolt to HDMI better?

Thunderbolt 3 provides DisplayPort, which can natively connect to all displays with DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort, and via adapters can connect to all other modern display interfaces, including HDMI, DVI, and VGA.

Can Thunderbolt 3 convert to HDMI?

When it comes to connecting your laptop to your monitor or TV, HDMI is the preferred connection type capable of transferring high-definition audio and video over a single cable. Thunderbolt is significantly faster than USB 3.0 or FireWire and provides more video bandwidth than HDMI.

Can I connect Thunderbolt to HDMI?

You can plug it into both a Thunderbolt port and a USB-C port. The female HDMI can be plugged into devices that support HDMI connectors, as well. This cable offers a lot of versatility. You can plug it into both a Thunderbolt port and a USB-C port.