As an owner of an Apple TV, I know the frustration of trying to connect it to my MacBook. After some research and testing, I’m here to share what I discovered so you can easily connect your Apple TV to your MacBook. In this blog post, I’ll explain the different solutions available and how to use them to connect your Apple TV to your MacBook.
You can connect Apple TV, the Apple TV app, and Apple TV+ to MacBook through a wireless connection. However, MacBooks can’t be used as output devices for Apple TV. You can only cast your MacBook screen on Apple TV and not the opposite way around.
In this article, we’ll explain how to make the best out of Apple TV using a MacBook. Read on to discover the next generation of device collaboration.
| Method | Description | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Connect Apple TV to MacBook Using AirPlay | Wirelessly share videos, audio, and other media from your Mac to Apple TV using AirPlay. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. | 1. Go to the Apple TV App. 2. Start playing your movie. 3. From the playback controls, click the icon with a rectangle and arrow. 4. Choose your smart TV or Apple TV. |
| Screen Mirror Photos from MacBook to Apple TV | Use AirPlay to screen mirror photo collections from your MacBook to your Apple TV or smart TV. | 1. Go to your Mac’s menu bar. 2. Click Control Center. 3. Click the Screen Mirroring icon. 4. Choose your smart TV or Apple TV. |
| Access Apple TV App on MacBook | Access all your movies, including Apple TV+ productions, from the Apple TV app on your MacBook. This requires macOS 10.15, macOS 11.0, macOS 12.0, or later updates. | 1. Go to the Apple TV app on your MacBook. 2. Choose Watch Now. 3. Scroll down to select between featured shows, Apple TV channels, or Apple TV+. 4. To access new or existing purchases, choose between Watch Now, Apple TV+, Store, or Library. |
| Apple TV+ on MacBook | Access Apple TV+ content from the Apple TV App on your MacBook if you have a subscription. | 1. Open the Apple TV app on your MacBook. 2. Access Apple TV+ content from within the app. |
| MacBook as a Monitor for Apple TV | MacBooks cannot be used as output devices for Apple TV. You can only cast your MacBook screen on Apple TV and not the opposite way around. | N/A |
| Troubleshooting Connection Issues | If your Apple TV won’t connect to your MacBook, ensure both devices are connected to the same network. Restart Apple TV from the settings menu or disconnect its cables for a minute if the issue persists. | 1. Check Network settings on both MacBook and Apple TV. 2. Restart Apple TV from the settings menu or disconnect its cables for a minute. |
| Access Apple TV App on Mac | Find the Apple TV app on your Mac in the Dock or using the Spotlight search. | 1. Locate the Apple TV logo in the Dock. 2. Alternatively, press the Space and Command buttons and type “TV” in the Spotlight search. |
Table of Contents
How to Connect Apple TV to MacBook?
If someone mentions Apple TV, there’s a chance they might be talking about one of three distinctive products. However, most commonly, people would be referring to the physical black box when they mention Apple TV.
The Apple TV is a media-playing device that can turn your television into a smart TV, allowing you to watch streaming services like Netflix and the like. It also allows you to use the larger TV screen for sharing photos and other media from your MacBook.
Connect Apple TV to MacBook Using AirPlay
You can wirelessly share videos, audio, and other media from your Mac to Apple TV using AirPlay. Keep in mind that you need to connect your MacBook and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
Here’s how to play videos and movies on Apple TV:
- Go to the Apple TV App
- Start playing your movie
- From the playback controls, click the icon with a rectangle and arrow
- Choose your smart TV or Apple TV
Screen Mirror Photos from MacBook to Apple TV
You can add vibes to a family gathering by using your TV screen to share some of your memories, like a wedding or graduation ceremony. Luckily, AirPlay allows you to screen mirror photo collections.
Here’s how to cast photos using AirPlay:
- Go to your Mac’s menu bar
- Click Control Center
- Click the Screen Mirroring icon
- Choose your smart TV or Apple TV
How to Connect Apple TV App to MacBook?
The Apple TV App is where you get to access all your movies, including Apple TV+ productions. You can access the Apple TV app from your Mac, provided it has macOS 10.15, macOS 11.0, macOS 12.0, or later updates.
Here’s how to access your movies from the Apple TV app on your MacBook.
- Go to the Apple TV app on your MacBook.
- Choose Watch Now
- Keep scrolling down to select between featured shows, Apple TV channels, or Apple TV+
- To access new or existing purchases, choose between Watch Now, Apple TV+, Store, or Library.
Can You Use a MacBook as a Monitor for Apple TV?
Read more: How to connect Apple TV to wifi
Apple doesn’t have an option for casting Apple TV media on a MacBook. Even the HDMI connection on MacBook is limited to output, like most laptops.
This is because Apple knows you don’t need to use a MacBook to cast media from Apple TV. In fact, your MacBook already has everything Apple TV can provide.
You can play Netflix and YouTube using Mac’s Safari or any other browser. In the same sense, you can play your Music on the laptop’s iTunes. Simply put, Apple TV was made to provide some of your MacBook’s privileges to the larger TV screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read more: Apple TV is blurry
Why won’t my Apple TV connect to my Macbook?
Your Apple TV may not be connected to the same network as your Mac. Check the Network settings from the System Preferences. As for Apple TV, you’ll find the Network menu after selecting General.
If your Mac still won’t connect, restart Apple TV from the settings menu or disconnect its cables for a minute.
Where is my Apple TV app on my Mac?
You’ll find the Apple TV logo in the Dock. Alternatively, press the Space and Command buttons and type TV.
How to Connect Apple TV+ to MacBook?
Apple TV+ is Apple’s movie streaming service featuring movie productions that Apple exclusively makes. If you have already subscribed, you can access Apple TV+ from the Apple TV App on your MacBook.
Wrap Up
Finally, can you connect Apple TV to MacBook?
Yes, you can connect your MacBook to Apple TV for casting audio, videos, and other media on a larger TV screen. However, you can’t share Apple TV’s content on your Mac’s screen.
Still, you can use your laptop’s browser to watch Youtube and Netflix. You can also access all your favorite shows from the Apple TV app, which is also available on your Mac.
Overall, your MacBook is more convenient for entertainment, but it only falls short in terms of screen size.
