How to Connect Your MacBook to a TV or Monitor Using USB-C to HDMI

MacBooks don't have a standard HDMI port, which surprises a lot of people the first time they try to connect one to a TV or external monitor. Instead, modern MacBooks use USB-C (or Thunderbolt) ports, and connecting to an HDMI display requires a USB-C to HDMI cable.

The good news: it's actually very straightforward once you have the right cable and know which settings to adjust. This guide walks you through everything, which MacBook models are compatible, how to connect to both a TV and an external monitor, how to get 4K output working, and how to fix the most common issues that come up.

Which MacBook Models Have USB-C or Thunderbolt Ports?

All current MacBook models use USB-C or Thunderbolt ports exclusively, there's no standard HDMI port on any current MacBook. Here's a quick reference:

Note: MacBook Pro 14" and 16" models from M1 Pro/Max onwards also include a dedicated HDMI 2.0 port alongside their Thunderbolt ports, so for those models, you can use a standard HDMI cable directly. However, a USB-C to HDMI cable gives you the same result and uses the more versatile Thunderbolt port.

What You Need: USB-C to HDMI Cable

To connect your MacBook to a TV or monitor via HDMI, you need a USB-C to HDMI cable. This cable has a USB-C connector on one end (which plugs into your MacBook) and a standard HDMI connector on the other end (which plugs into your TV or monitor).

The connection works through a feature called DisplayPort Alt Mode, a capability built into USB-C that allows video signals to be transmitted over the USB-C port. Thunderbolt ports on MacBooks all support DisplayPort Alt Mode, so compatibility is universal across the MacBook range.

Our USB-C to HDMI cable 4K is compatible with all MacBook models listed above, supports 4K output, and is 2m, the ideal length for most desk and living room setups in Australia.

Step-by-Step: Connect MacBook to TV

Connecting a MacBook to a TV for streaming content, mirroring your screen, or using the TV as a large display is simple:

1. Plug the USB-C end of your cable into a Thunderbolt or USB-C port on your MacBook.
2. Plug the HDMI end into an available HDMI port on your TV.
3. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input, use your TV remote and select the input that matches the port you used (e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 2).
4. Your MacBook should detect the TV automatically within a few seconds and extend your desktop to it.
5. To adjust how the display is used, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
6. You'll see both your MacBook screen and the TV listed. Here you can: set the TV as the main display, mirror the MacBook screen to the TV, or arrange the displays side by side for extended desktop use.

For watching movies or streaming: mirroring (showing the same content on both screens) is the easiest option. For using the TV as a large secondary workspace, extended desktop gives you more flexibility.

Step-by-Step: Connect MacBook to External Monitor

Connecting a MacBook to an external monitor for work, creative work, or a dual-screen setup follows the same process:

1. Plug the USB-C end into your MacBook's Thunderbolt or USB-C port.
2. Plug the HDMI end into your monitor's HDMI input.
3. The monitor should be detected automatically by macOS.
4. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays to configure the arrangement.
5. For a productivity setup, choose 'Use as Extended Display', this gives you two separate workspaces and lets you drag windows between them.
6. Drag the white menu bar indicator in the Display arrangement view to set which screen is your primary display.
7. Adjust resolution and refresh rate settings in the Displays panel to match your monitor's native resolution.

Getting 4K Output on MacBook: Settings Guide

If your TV or monitor supports 4K resolution and you want your MacBook to output at full 4K, here's how to confirm it's working:

1. Connect the cable and go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
2. Click on the external display in the list.
3. Under Resolution, select 'More Space' or click 'Show All Resolutions' to see the full list.
4. Select the 4K option, usually listed as 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160 depending on your display.
5. If 4K isn't available in the list, check that your cable supports 4K (not all USB-C cables do, our USB-C to HDMI cable supports full 4K output) and that your TV or monitor's HDMI port supports 4K input.

M-series MacBooks (M1, M2, M3) all support 4K output natively over USB-C/Thunderbolt. Intel MacBooks from 2018 onwards also support 4K output, though older models may be limited to 4K at 30Hz rather than 60Hz.

Audio: Does Sound Come Through the TV?

Yes, when you connect your MacBook to a TV or monitor via HDMI, audio is carried through the same cable as the video. The TV or monitor's speakers (or connected soundbar) will receive audio from your MacBook automatically.

To confirm audio is routing correctly:

1. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
2. Under Output, select your TV or monitor (it will appear by its name or as 'HDMI').
3. Adjust the volume using your MacBook's volume keys or the on-screen slider.

If you're connecting to a TV with a soundbar attached via eARC or ARC, the audio will pass through the TV to the soundbar automatically, following your TV's audio output settings.

MacBook to TV: Mirroring vs Extended Display

To use Closed-Lid Mode (clamshell mode): connect the cable, close your MacBook lid, and connect an external keyboard and mouse. Your MacBook will switch to using the TV as its only display. Note: your MacBook needs to be plugged into power for this mode to work reliably.

Common Issues and Fixes

MacBook not detecting the TV or monitor

Go to System Settings > Displays and click 'Detect Displays' (hold Option key to see this button). Also try unplugging and re-plugging the cable. If the display still isn't detected, try a different HDMI port on your TV.

Picture is blurry or low resolution

This usually means macOS has defaulted to a lower resolution. Go to System Settings > Displays, select the external display, and manually set it to the correct native resolution (e.g. 1920x1080 for a 1080p TV, 3840x2160 for a 4K TV).

No sound through the TV

Go to System Settings > Sound > Output and manually select your TV or HDMI output. macOS doesn't always switch audio automatically when a display is connected.

4K not available as a resolution option

Check that your USB-C to HDMI cable supports 4K output, not all cables do. Also confirm that the HDMI port on your TV supports 4K input (some TVs have a mix of 4K and 1080p HDMI ports). Our USB-C to HDMI cable fully supports 4K output.

Screen flickering or dropping connection

This is almost always a cable quality issue. A low-quality or damaged USB-C cable may struggle to maintain a stable 4K signal. Try a different cable. If the issue persists, try a different USB-C port on your MacBook if you have more than one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USB-C to HDMI work with all MacBooks?

Yes, all MacBook models with USB-C or Thunderbolt ports support video output via USB-C to HDMI. This covers every MacBook released from 2015 onwards. Earlier MacBooks used MagSafe and don't have USB-C ports.

Can I use any USB-C cable for HDMI output?

No, a standard USB-C charging cable will not work for video output. You specifically need a USB-C to HDMI cable, which is designed to carry the HDMI video signal over the USB-C connector using DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Will this work with MacBook Air M3?

Yes, MacBook Air M3 supports video output over its Thunderbolt / USB-C port. It supports up to two external displays when the lid is closed (a significant upgrade from M2, which supported only one). Our USB-C to HDMI cable is fully compatible.

Does USB-C to HDMI work with iPad?

Yes, iPad Pro (2018 and later) and iPad Air (4th generation and later) both have USB-C ports that support video output via DisplayPort Alt Mode. Our USB-C to HDMI cable works with these iPad models to connect to a TV or monitor.

How long a USB-C to HDMI cable do I need?

For most desk setups, MacBook to monitor, 2m is ideal. For connecting to a wall-mounted TV from a coffee table or entertainment unit, 2m is usually sufficient. If you need more reach, check that any longer cable you buy is still rated for 4K output, as signal quality can degrade over very long runs.

Ready to Connect?

Connecting a MacBook to a TV or monitor is simple with the right cable. A USB-C to HDMI cable is all you need to plug in, select your display settings in macOS, and you're done.

Shop our USB-C to HDMI cable 4K, compatible with all MacBook models, iPad Pro, Windows laptops and more. 2m length, free shipping across Australia.

Also browse our full collection of  HDMI cables for laptops, gaming, and more.