How to Connect Your Mac Laptop to a Display or Projector

At a Glance

This guide will help you connect your Apple laptop to a display or projector. MacOS 15.2 added new features and changed the connection workflow.

Connect to the Display or Projector

1. Plug the HDMI cable into your Mac laptop. Note: If you don’t have an HDMI port, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
   
2. First time in this classroom? You may see a Screen Mirroring window appear asking how you’d like to share your screen:
   • Mirror Entire Screen [1]
   • Mirror a Specific Window or App [2]
   • Use as an Extended Display [3]
     
3. Select the option that best fits your presentation, then click Start Mirroring.
4. If you selected Window or App, do the following:
   • Hover over the window or app you want to share, and click Mirror This Window.
     
   • The display or projector might show a “Choose to Mirror or Extend Display from menu” message until you start mirroring:
     

Open Screen Mirroring from the Menu Bar

Follow these steps if you didn’t see the Screen Mirroring window appear when you first plugged in your laptop—this is common if you’ve connected in the room before.

1. On your Mac laptop, click the Control Center icon [1] in the top-right corner of your screen, and click on Screen Mirroring [2].
   

Choose What Content to Share

1. In the Screen Mirroring dialog, click Choose Content.
   
2. Select one of the following:
   • Mirror Entire Screen [1]
   • Mirror a Specific Window or App [2]
   • Use as an Extended Display [3]
     
3. Select the option that best fits your presentation, then click Start Mirroring.
4. If you selected Window or App, do the following:
   • Hover over the window or app you want to share, and click Mirror This Window.
     
   • The display or projector might show a “Choose to Mirror or Extend Display from menu” message until you start mirroring:
     

Optional: Always Show Screen Mirroring in Menu Bar

If you frequently present or connect to external displays, you can make Screen Mirroring easier to access by keeping it visible in your menu bar.

1. Click the Apple menu () [1] > System Settings [2].
   
2. In the left-hand menu, select Control Center [1], then scroll to Screen Mirroring and choose Always Show in Menu Bar [2].
   
3. Once enabled, the Screen Mirroring icon will appear in your menu bar for quick access whenever you need it.