The good news is that more and more Smart TVs are compatible with Apple devices. They natively support wireless screen mirroring from a Mac and many other Apple devices.
The bad news is that not all televisions are compatible with Apple. But if your TV isn’t compatible, you can mirror your Mac to the device using a cable or a third-party app.
The following ps explore different methods of screen mirroring from an Apple device for some of the most popular Smart TVs.
Mirror a Mac to a Samsung Smart TV
The newest Samsung smart TVs support AirPlay 2, a specific Bluetooth protocol that Apple uses to send audio and video signals wirelessly to external devices.
As for Macs, all devices that came out in 2009 or later support AirPlay2, and that goes for MacBooks, Mac Minis, Mac Pros, etc. However, you should update your operating system before attempting screen mirroring to ensure a seamless connection.
Assuming your devices are compatible and up to date, here’s how to mirror your screen.
- Find the AirPlay icon in your Mac’s menu bar (it looks like a monitor).
- Click the icon and choose your Samsung Smart TV in the pop-up window.
- Your Mac desktop should appear on the TV in a second.
Additionally, many streaming apps support AirPlay and feature the icon within the playback window. So, just click the icon to mirror the video to the TV.
But what should you do if you can’t see the AirPlay icon?
- Launch System preferences and click Show.
- Click the dropdown menu next to AirPlay screen.
- Select your TV from the menu and mirroring will begin.
Note: These actions were tested on a Mac running macOS Big Sur 11.6.
Alternative methods
If you have an older Samsung Smart TV, it may not support AirPlay 2. In this case, your Mac won’t recognize the TV automatically.
To mirror your screen, you will need to use an HDMI cable or a third-party app. Mirroring over a cable is generally more stable (although not as convenient) as using an app.
Truth be told, it’s hard to find a free app that provides stable and smooth mirroring. The main problem is that there is a gap between the computer and the television. That may not be a big deal for streaming video, but it is a problem if you need a larger screen for productivity.
Important note: Your Mac and Samsung TV must be on the same network for AirPlay to work.
Mirror a Mac to an LG Smart TV
Apple has had a long-standing relationship with LG and most of the South Korean manufacturer’s devices support AirPlay 2. This means you won’t need to use a cable or third-party apps unless your TV is more than a decade old.
However, you still need to make sure the TV and macOS firmware are up to date. Here we explain how to mirror your LG.
- Click on the AirPlay icon in the Mac menu bar.
- Select your LG Smart TV and that’s it.
To disconnect from the TV, click the AirPlay icon again and select Stop duplicating.
But what if there is no AirPlay icon? Then follow these steps:
- Make sure your MacOS is up to date. If not, update it first.
- Gonna System preferences and choose Show.
- Click the dropdown menu next to AirPlay screen.
- Select your LG Smart TV.
Advice: Mirroring on LG smart TVs also works perfectly with all other Apple devices.
Mirror a Mac to a Toshiba Smart TV
In mid-2020, Toshiba introduced AirPlay 2 support so you can connect the two devices wirelessly without third-party apps. But if you don’t have the latest version of Toshiba Smart TV, you will need to use third-party apps or an HDMI cable.
The following p gives you general instructions on how to use third-party applications because most of them follow the same methodology.
- Download and install the mirroring app on your TV and Mac.
- Run the app on both devices.
- Enter a code or scan a QR code to initiate the connection.
Note: The last step may need to be applied only once for certain applications. Otherwise, you will always have to enter the code to establish the connection.
Apple TV method
If you have Apple TV, you don’t need third-party apps, cables, or anything else. Your Mac will recognize the streaming device automatically and establish a seamless connection. Here’s how to use it.
- Make sure your Mac is on the same network as Apple TV.
- Click on the AirPlay icon in the menu bar of your Mac.
- Choose Apple TV from the pop-up menu and you’re done.
HDMI mirroring
Despite the wired connection, HDMI mirroring is simple and stable. Perform the following steps to establish the connection.
- Connect the TV to a Mac using the cable.
- Select the correct input source using the TV remote control.
- Choose Display preferences on your Mac.
Depending on the operating system you’re using, your Mac will automatically ask you if you want to mirror the screen or use it as a secondary display. The latter basically allows you to have two different desktops and switch between them by swiping.
Important note: Some newer Macs do not have HDMI output. If so, you will need to use a Thunderbolt to HDMI converter to establish a wired connection.
Mirror a Mac to a Philips Smart TV
Unfortunately, Philips Smart TVs do not come with native support for AirPlay 2. Therefore, you must use third-party apps, wired connections, or Apple TV to mirror your Mac. The following ps give you a quick tutorial for each method.
Third party applications
This is a general tutorial that applies to most third-party applications.
- Download and install the mirroring app on your TV and Mac.
- Run the app on both devices.
- Gonna Airplay on your Mac and choose your TV from the list of devices.
Tips: Sometimes there is an intermediate step that asks you to enter a password to set up mirroring. Do not install applications that require downloading and installing additional codecs for video or audio.
Wired connection
- Connect your Mac and Philips Smart TV using an HDMI cable.
- Select the correct HDMI input on your TV.
- Choose Display preferences on your Mac.
Note: Wired connection is also possible via a Thunderbolt connection as long as your TV supports it. And the mirroring method is the same as HDMI.
AppleTV
Mirroring via Apple TV is super simple and you don’t need any additional apps or cables. Simply click Airplay in the Mac menu bar, select Apple TV, and you’re done.
Mirror Mirror on the wall…
The good news is that many manufacturers are including AirPlay 2 support in their Smart TVs. And it would not be a mistake to assume that it will soon become a stock market standard.
Be that as it may, this article has given you all the methods to mirror your screen effectively regardless of the brand and model of Smart TV. But keep in mind that it is better to use a cable than an app, if only for the stability of the connection.
Did you have any problems connecting your Mac to a Smart TV?
Give us the benefit of your experience in the comments p below.
