The more screen blank you have the more expeditiously you work ostensibly . So why not connect a second ( or even a third ) video display to your Mac ? In this article we help you name which adapter you need to plug your Mac into an extra , extraneous concealment ( or even more than one ) , and how to get everything set up .
While it ’s in the main prosperous to set up an additional blind , there are a few issues that might stimulate your display not to be detect by your Mac , so we will also offer solution for these problem below .
It is also potential to use an iPad as a 2nd screenland – an option that Apple added in macOS Catalina , and then enhance in macOS Monterey . This may befit you if you do n’t already own an external screen , but note that you do involve a stand Mac and iPad . We look athow to use your iPad as a screen for your Macin a freestanding clause , along with which iPads and Macs patronage the feature article . In Monterey Apple added the power to use one keyboard and mouse with two Macs , or a Mac and iPad , which could suit your young way of working . To discover out more see : How to use the same mouse and keyboard with two Macs .
Now that I’ve arranged the displays this way, I can move my mouse pointer to the second monitor just by moving it up. The transition is instant.
Another thing to have in mind if you were hoping to append two extraneous displays to your Mac is that while some Macs can support up to five extra displays , the M1 Macs , including the MacBook Air and 13 in MacBook Pro can only support one additional presentation – although there is a workaround , read : How to connect two or more outside displays to Apple M1 Macs . You may also be interested inhow to use an old iMac as a 2d display .
How to connect an external monitor to a Mac
This is one of those things that should be prosperous , but because over the years Apple has changed the ports on Macs it can be difficult to know what connectors you actually postulate to connect a monitor to your Mac . That ’s even before you have studied the larboard on the back or the display to work out what connector is required there .
Luckily once you know what wire you need to connect your MacBook to your proctor it should be plain sailing .
The steps are relatively simple , but as you will see the first step is the hardest !
Now that I’ve arranged the displays this way, I can move my mouse pointer to the second monitor just by moving it up. The transition is instant.
The pick are a little different if you are attaching a background Mac , like a Mac miniskirt , to a monitor as it does n’t have it ’s own presentation . If you are adding a 2d monitor to a Mac miniskirt you will see something like this :
As with the choice for connecting a monitor to a MacBook , if you connect more than one monitor to a Mac mini you will notice the white stoppage at the top of one of the displays . you’re able to press this and puff it onto the display you wish to be the main video display .
you may also adjust the position of each exhibit to ruminate how they are place on your desk , so that when you drag your black eye from one screen to the other you know where it will appear .
If you have an Apple TV , or anyTV that endorse AirPlay , you could also employ AirPlay to send a second screenland end product to your TV filmdom . Here ’s how to do that : How to watch your Mac screen on a TV .
If you are using your Mac with an external screenland and want to end the palpebra on your MacBook read : How to use MacBook with eyelid close , stop closed Mac sleeping .
Now that I ’ve set the displays this way of life , I can move my shiner cursor to the 2nd monitor just by move it up . The changeover is instantaneous .
Now that I’ve arranged the displays this way, I can move my mouse pointer to the second monitor just by moving it up. The transition is instant.
Which port has my Mac got?
As we said above , the heavy part of connecting a showing to your Mac is working out what cable system you need to plug away into your Mac and the varan .
The cable television service you require reckon on the example of Mac and the eccentric of monitor . Apple has follow up quite a few dissimilar port types over the years , and your Mac screen background or MacBook might feature any of the following : HDMI , USB - C , Thunderbolt 3 , 4 , 2 , or Mini Display . We assist you name which port wine you have below .
HDMI
There are a few Macs that ship with an HDMI port – include the 14 in and 16 in MacBook Pro introduced in 2021 and the Mac mini with M1 chip from 2020 . HDMI port wine are often found on TVs , making those Macs a popular option for those put up a media centre PC .
mackintosh with an HDMI port wine admit :
You ’ll also encounter HDMI port on onetime Mac miniskirt models and the MacBook Pro from mid 2012 to 2015 .
Thunderbolt 3 (and USB-C)
thunderclap 3 is a supercharged version of USB - C , with a bandwidth of 40Gbps compared to USB - C ’s 5GBps to 10GBps .
The Thunderbolt 3 connection looks and acts exactly the same as USB - hundred , and it supports USB - C , so you will be able-bodied to habituate any USB cytosine - equipped monitor , or a Thunderbolt 3 monitor , with your Mac . You ’ll also be able-bodied to habituate any USB - C cable television to associate your Mac to your monitor .
Macs with a Thunderbolt 3 ( USB - C ) port let in :
You ’ll also recover Thunderbolt 3 on Macs from around the close of 2016 and onwards .
Thunderbolt 4 (and USB-C)
In some modern Macs Apple include Thunderbolt 4 , which as with Thunderbolt 3 share the same port as USB - C ( and USB 4 , which we discourse next ) . The interface looks monovular to the Thunderbolt 3 port ( above ) and is completely backwards compatible .
In fact , Thunderbolt 4 is n’t in reality all that different to Thunderbolt 3 . The main reason why there is even a Thunderbolt 4 is because some PC laptop lack the power to stand the full 40Gbps bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3 .
Malus pumila
There are a few benefits to Thunderbolt 4 that Mac users can enjoy though : every Thunderbolt 4 port can support two 4 K displays or one 8 K display .
Macs with a Thunderbolt 4 interface include :
USB 4
There is n’t a huge difference between USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4 , and Thunderbolt 4 gimmick keep going USB 4 . Thunderbolt 4 will always have a full 40Gbps bandwidth , while USB 4 start at 20Gbps , but can also reach Thunderbolt 4 ’s 40Gbps . A USB 4 port can only support one presentation , while Thunderbolt 4 can support two 4 K presentation . Learn about Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 .
Thunderbolt 1 or 2
bolt of lightning first appear on Macs in around 2011 , then in 2013 Apple insert Thunderbolt 2 . The Thunderbolt port depend the same as Mini DisplayPort ( below ) and is backwards - compatible with that port wine . If you see a bolt symbol besides what look like a Mini DisplayPort , your Mac has a Thunderbolt port wine .
If your Mac is from 2011 to around 2016 , hazard are it offers Thunderbolt 1 or 2 rather than Mini DisplayPort , although the two are compatible .
Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort was announced by Apple towards the end of 2008 . With an adaptor the Mini DisplayPort can drive display that feature VGA , DVI or HDMI interface .
For more information about ports , here ’s a rundown of some ofApple ’s different larboard types .
Which port does my display have?
Now that you ’ve identified which port your Mac has you need to check the embrasure on your exhibit , we hunt down through all the option below . You also need to confirm one more matter :
Is the port male or female?
You call for to agree whether the connective on the back of your display has female or manful endpoints . The NEC MyltiSync E243WMI we used had a distaff connexion , for deterrent example , so we want to make certain that the adaptor we bought had male endpoint .
HDMI supports up to eight channels of audio recording . HDMI 2.1 brings backing for resolutions up to 8k and higher . HDMI is the most mutual connector you ’ll find on the back of a goggle box . Want to use an 8 K monitoring machine ? ReadHow to link an 8 kibibyte display to your Mac .
As we noted above , there are a few Macs ship with an HDMI port in which case you just need an HDMI to HDMI cable television to relate your show to your Mac . If your Mac does n’t have an HDMI port then you just need an adapter .
Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4
There are reminder , like the Lenovo ThinkVision P27u-20 that feature Thunderbolt 4 docking ability . This larboard wo n’t look any different to the Thunderbolt 3 / USB - cytosine port .
Thunderbolt 3, USB-C or USB 3
More monitors are probable to be boast USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate ports than Thunderbolt 3 ports , although Thunderbolt is quicker and can take more power . USB - equipped displays are likely to be cheaper than Thunderbolt options , too . Sometimes you ’ll witness USB 3 or USB 3.1 embrasure , which is the same larboard , but the predecessor to USB - C.
Because the Thunderbolt 3 and USB - C ports are monovular , if your Mac has one , you will be able to practice a USB - C cable to connect the monitor lizard to your Mac .
If you purchase the Apple Thunderbolt display , which was stop in 2016 , then your monitoring machine has a Thunderbolt 2 port , as seen above .
VGA
A VGA connector requires a three - row 15 - stick DE-15 connection . VGA connectors transmit parallel signaling .
Old CRT ( Cathode Ray Tube ) monitor were VGA but there are monotonous displays that use VGA – they just convert the VGA connector ’s analog signal back to digital . This transition from digital to analog and back again can cause abasement of video quality . VGA will run HD video but only analog audio recording .
DVI
DVI offers a higher - quality signal than VGA because it ’s a digital signal . You will see a marked remainder when look at HD video as compared to VGA .
A DVI connective has the potentiality for 24 pins , depending on whether it ’s DVI - A , DVI - D or DVI - I , there are dissimilar connexion with a different number of pins in use . There is also a tenacious pin which may be surrounded by four other pins ( which are required for audio in old model ) .
If you have one of Apple ’s direct Cinema Displays , inclose back in 1999 and replaced in 2011 by the Thunderbolt display , your display has a Mini DisplayPort connexion , as seen above .
Best cable, adapter or dongle for connecting a Mac to a monitor
Now that you have instal which port your Mac and display have , you will require to find a cable to get in touch your Mac to the admonisher . This cable does n’t need to be from Apple , but it will need to have the correct connection . Another matter that may be important to you is the length of the cable television . It ’s no upright endeavor to purloin up your Mac to a monitor if the cable television service or arranger is too short . Remember you will need enough cable to go from the back of the display to the interface on the Mac .
Below are our recommendations of the best cable and adaptor for connect a video display to your Mac .
If the number of port on your Mac is circumscribed , and if you want to connect an extra two 4 special K displays to your Mac , you will benefit from a bob . A dock will also give you more larboard , such as USB , Ethernet and lineup readers . We have a number of recommendations in thebest moorage stations for MacBooks , such as theCalDigit bolt of lightning 3 miniDockbelow .
Of naturally a cable does n’t have to be that much . If you do n’t require to buy a dock , you take to work out with the ports you have available . Depending on what port you have on your Mac and your display , we recommend the chase :
HDMI to HDMI display
As we remark above , there are a few Macs ship with an HDMI porthole in which event you may apply an HDMI cable to connect an HDMI display to your Mac , such as this Belkin UltraHD High Speed 4 K HDMI cable that costs£29.95 from Apple USor$29.95 from Apple US .
USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to USB-C display
We recommend Apple ’s ownUSB - C / Thunderbolt 3 cableif you have a Thunderbolt 3 - compatible monitor . It’s£39 in the UK Apple Storeand$39 in the US Apple Store .
Apple sells a Thunderbolt 3 / USB - C cable length here for£39 in the UK Apple Storeand$39 in the US Apple Store .
USB-C/Thunderbolt to HDMI display
Among other matter , the AppleUSB - C Digital AV Multiport Adapter(£75/$69 ) lets you connect a Thunderbolt 3 - equipped Mac to an HDMI display . You will still need a separate HDMI - to - HDMI cable ( such asthis one from Belkin ) to do so . Apple also sell a numeral of HDMI adapters on theUK Apple Storeand on theUS Apple Store .
If you have a standard HDMI - compatible monitoring gadget , we urge theSix - foot USB - C / Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI cablefrom Uni . ( $ 17/£16.99 )
USB-C to VGA display
Apple ’s USB - coke VGA Multiport Adapter lets you plug into to a VGA show or projector . This is an parallel link so it will not back HDCP ( mellow - bandwidth Digital Content Protection ) substance . This would include the HD motion picture found on the iTunes Store .
The USB - C VGA Multiport Adapter is available for£75 on the Apple UK storeor$69 on the Apple US store .
Apple sells a figure of VGA adapters(Apple UKorApple US),including a USB - C VGA Multiport Adapter(£75and$69 ) and a Belkin USB - C to VGA Adapter ( £ 27.95and$29.95 ) .
USB-C to DVI display
Apple does n’t sell one , but you ’ll be able-bodied to witness a USB - C to DVI adapter on Amazon , such as this Benfei USB - C to DVI cable ( £ 12.99 on Amazon UKor$11.85 Amazon US ) . We ca n’t confirm whether it works , but it tell it ’s for the MacBook , so we assume it does .
USB-C to Mini DisplayPort display
Apple does n’t make a USB - century to Mini DisplayPort adapter , so you wo n’t be able to connect a 2016 or later on MacBook Pro to the old Apple Cinema Display , or any other monitor that uses a Mini Display Port . However , you may be able to find a cable or arranger on Amazon .
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI display
Apple does not construct a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter , but it does sell Belkin ’s 4 K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter for£29.95 on the Apple UK Storeand$34.95 on the Apple US Store .
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Apple ’s Thunderbolt 3 ( USB - C ) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter can be used to connect to a Thunderbolt showing to a new Mac . It costs£49 from the Apple UK Storeand$49 from the Apple US Store .
How to connect a third monitor to a Mac
Theoretically you should n’t be able to attach a monitor to a USB embrasure , but a few society have cover this as a expert challenge . The MatroxDualHead2Go and TripleHead2Golet you connect up to two or three external displays severally . They do this by augment the stock DVI / HDMI video output of a Mac or PC with data provided via a USB 2.0/3.0 connexion .
To learn if your Mac is compatible , see outMatrox ’s Mac compatibility itemisation , where you ’ll also memorise the maximal possible output resolutions – it ’s improbable you ’ll be able-bodied to lead all three display at 1080p , for good example .
rhombus MultiMedia’sBVU rangelets you run a separate international display via nothing more than a USB 2.0 porthole . By connecting one to a MacBook Pro , as one lesson , you could utilise up to three displays : one built in , one via the existing DVI / HDMI / DisplayPort , and one more via USB .
There are also some no - trade name devices on eBay and Amazon that offer the same functions as the Diamond product , and are cheaper to reboot – although be sure to check for Mac compatibility . Just search for something likeUSB to DVI HDMI .
All the above solutions are somewhat hacky . We have n’t tested any but we ’re certain performance wo n’t be as beneficial as with a varan confiscate directly . 3D gambling is definitely out of the enquiry and video playback in anything other than received definition will in all likelihood be jerky . Still , to put your email or Twitter app on a separate sieve , as one instance , they should suffice .
Troubleshooting problems with a second display
There are a issue of egress you may experience with your show frame-up . Here we cover some of them . Let us eff of any further solutions or job .
Mac not detecting the monitor
When you connect your display and your Mac the display should automatically be detected . But what should you do if it is n’t ?
If your Mac is n’t work with your monitor there are a few things to try :
If the above do n’t influence , try out these steps :
Still not get any fortune ? There is one other reason that could intercept your Mac working with an international showing : In the past tense Apple has made changes to macOS that have stopped some third - party transcriber working with extra displays . For case , when Apple introduced macOS Sierra in September 2016 many had egress getting a second video display to lick with certain adaptor . On that note , if your display wo n’t exercise with your Mac then the first thing to check is your arranger .
External display is not working with a Mini DisplayPort adapter
If your adaptor is not made by Apple , that might just be the proceeds here . Prior to macOS Sierra it was possible to utilize a third - party Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter with a Mac , but when Sierra launched in 2016 Mac users who were reliant on that frame-up found their monitors stop work with their Mac .
The only solution if this is the case is to purchase an Apple adapter like one of those listed above .
If you have an Apple adapter and your external display is n’t working , try the following :
DVI adapter doesn’t fit in the connection
There are a few potential reason why the Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI arranger might not be compatible with your varan .
There is more than one form of DVI adapter and the likeliness is the one you have is dissimilar to the transcriber you are using . For lesson , you may expect space for four analog embrasure around the vapid blade .
If your problem is that you have two distaff or two manlike link then the solution is to bribe a male person - to - distaff adapter .
Cable too small between the two gimmick ? You should be able to hook up your adapter to the screen via a third - political party cable television . Just check that it has the right port type .
iPad won’t work as second display
Thought you ’d employ an iPad as a second display with your Mac having installed macOS Catalina and found it does n’t work ? This is most likely because your iPad or Mac do n’t bear the Sidecar feature .
iPads that put to work with Sidecar include :
12.9 - inch iPad Pro11 - in iPad Pro10.5 - in iPad Pro9.7 - inch iPad ProiPad ( 6th generation)iPad ( 5th generation)iPad mini ( 5th generation)iPad mini 4iPad Air ( 3rd generation)iPad Air 2
mac that work with Sidecar include :
MacBook Pro ( 2016 or later)MacBook ( 2016 or later)MacBook Air ( 2018 or later)iMac ( 2016 or later , as well as iMac 5 K , 27 - inch , late 2015)iMac ProMac miniskirt ( 2018 or later)Mac Pro ( 2019 )
We have more information aboutusing an iPad as a second screen for your Mac here . Plus , we run throughWhat Universal Control is and how Universal Control worksseparately .
If you are wanting to use a second display with your Mac and not have your Mac ’s screen on read : How to turn over a Mac ’s screenland off .
