Your presentation file on your MacBook requires a bigger screen so that your colleagues can watch and evaluate your opinion. Or, you could upgrade your binge-watching experience to a new level. A bigger screen reminds you of nothing but a projector.
How to connect MacBook to projectors, or do MacBooks allow you to connect to projectors? Yes, you can connect your MacBook to a compatible projector and clearly show your presentation to everyone in the office. On the other hand, you can shift from your MacBook to a larger screen and theatre-like experience with a projector.
This guide will elaborate on how to connect a MacBook to a projector successfully. Additionally, it will tell you how to understand your MacBook ports for easy wired communication between the Mac device and the projector. Let’s get started.
Recognise the Ports on Your MacBook
Before you jump to how to connect MacBook to projectors, you must understand whether you can directly connect both devices with a single cable. Or, do you need an adapter or converter? Since you have to share your Mac screen with a projector so that an entire room of people can see it, you must construct a wired or wireless communication.
If you prefer a wired connection, it’s essential to identify your MacBook video output ports. On the other hand, most projectors are available with HDMI ports only. And, the latest MacBooks lack HDMI ports on them. Therefore, check both the projector and MacBook and confirm their video port type.
If your MacBook has an HDMI port, and so does your projector, then you can use a dedicated HDMI cable to connect them directly. Or else, you may have to purchase a compatible converter or adapter cable that will connect the projector’s HDMI port to your MacBook’s video output port.
How many types of video output ports can MacBooks have? Well, the following ones are more common in the evolution history of MacBooks:
HDMI Port
Mostly, older MacBooks have HDMI ports on them. So, if you own an old Mac computer, it can have an HDMI port. You can directly connect your MacBook with the projector’s HDMI cord. Moreover, it won’t require an additional adapter cable.
Mini DisplayPort
How to connect MacBook to projectors if it has a Mini DisplayPort? You will require an adapter or converter to connect its Min iDisplayPort to the projector. However, a Mini DisplayPort resembles an HDMI one, but it’s smaller than a traditional HDMI port. Check out your projector if it has a Mini DisplayPort for direct connection with MacBooks.
Thunderbolt or USB-C Port
Thunderbolt ports are the most convenient way to connect any secondary display. However, your projector might miss one. However, you can use Apple’s official USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapter or any compatible one. If your projector is a modern version, it might also have a Thunderbolt or USB-C port.
How to Connect MacBook to Projector: 3 Easy Steps
Hopefully, you have understood the importance of the ports on both your MacBook and projector. After you have identified them, you should purchase the right type of adapter or converter to connect your MacBook to the projector. Otherwise, you can directly connect them. Here’s how to connect MacBook to projectors:
Connect the Right Cable to the MacBook
Plug the right cord end into your Mac’s video output port. The video output port can be an HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, or USB-C.
Plug the Projector
You might have to use a converter depending on the differences between your MacBook and the projector’s ports. If that’s your situation, plug both devices’ cords into the converter or adapter. Or, just plug the other end of the connecting cable into the projector’s input port.
Turn on Your Devices
First, power on your MacBook. Next, turn on the projector. When you turn on the projector, your Mac computer will automatically sense the connection. It will let you select the display and customise different settings for a better viewing experience.
See, it’s that easy to set up a projector and connect it to your MacBook. Regardless of your MacBook model, you can use the same procedure to learn how to connect MacBook to projector HDMI.
How to Connect MacBook to Projector Wirelessly?
Projectors capable of connecting to computers wirelessly are quite available in the market. If you can’t find a converter or adapter cable because of a port mismatch, then you can try how to connect MacBook to projector wireless.
Here’s what you can follow to establish a wireless connection between your MacBook Air or Pro and projector:
- Power on your MacBook as well as the projector.
- Next, hit the Apple icon from your MacBook’s desktop screen’s upper-left corner.
- Now, choose System Preferences or System Settings according to the macOS version.
- Click on Displays and hit the Add or + pop-up menu from the right panel.
- Afterwards, check if your projector’s name is visible there. If yes, you must select it to connect your MacBook wirelessly to the projector.
Can You Personalise the Projection Display from Your MacBook?
Yes, you can. Apart from how to connect MacBook to projectors, users are curious about this too. MacBooks offer dedicated system settings that let you customise the projection display.
However, the instructions below differ slightly depending on the MacBook Pro or Air model and the projector settings. Check out how you can spot and utilise them to revamp your projection experience.
- Open up the Apple menu on your MacBook. Then, select System Settings or System Preferences for earlier macOS versions.
- Choose Displays, and its icon resembles a monitor. If your Mac computer runs macOS Ventura, the Displays option is available on the left panel.
- Afterwards, a window with your projector’s name should pop up. Select this device or the built-in display from the ‘Optimise For’ dropdown menu. This menu will allow you to modify the resolution of the projected and MacBook picture in case they differ.
Additional Controls
Besides this, you can try the following options to make changes to your projected image, such as:
- Rotation: This will permit you to change the orientation of the projected image with 90-degree changes.
- Refresh Rate: Do you want to modify the current refresh rate of the projected image? Then, check out the Refresh Rate option and lower the refresh rate if you notice any lag on the projection.
- Underscan: You can change the relative size of the projected image by using the Underscan option. For example, you must drag the slider to its right for a smaller display.
- Arrangement: Your projector can serve as an extension of your MacBook or display everything on your Mac computer. To decide the best for your projection, you can select any of these from the Arrangement tab under the same window. Not to mention, this is useful when you don’t want to broadcast every single tab with a room of audiences.
- Mirro Displays: Surprisingly, you can use the projector as a second or external display. Just turn off the Mirror Display option by unchecking the box next to it.
What to do if the Projector doesn’t Display Your MacBook Content?
You have already learnt how to connect MacBook to projectors with USB, HDMI, and more. However, users often reported issues with HDMI or cable connections between Mac computers and projectors. If you face the same, try the following proven solutions:
Reboot the Mac
Start by restarting your MacBook. Minor and temporary software glitches can make your Mac fail to identify the projector. Therefore, reboot your MacBook from the Apple menu. Hold down the Power button for a few seconds and turn it back on. Turn on the projector later and plug the cables accordingly.
Try Resetting the SMC
Apple-silicon Macs don’t require a dedicated process to reset their SMCs. However, you can follow the guidelines below to reset your MacBook’s SMC:
- Shut down the Mac computer.
- Next, hold down the Shift, Control, and Options buttons simultaneously. Now, press the Power button.
- Now, you need to wait for 10 seconds or so.
- Afterwards, you can turn on your Mac computer.
Resetting the SMC might eradicate power-related problems and help the MacBook detect the projector connection.
Contact Macbook Repair India for Flawless Mac Functions
It’s easy to learn how to connect MacBook to projectors. However, issues can arise anytime, and you need reliable support. Call Macbook Repair India if you can’t connect a newly-installed projector to your MacBook.
Additionally, the experts can fix your Mac display driver, screen issues, and more. They will also check the privacy settings, cable conditions, and so on to secure a connection between your MacBook and the projector. So, call them and get affordable MacBook repair and assistance as soon as possible.
