You can connect your MacBook Air to a monitor using a USB-C cable or a USB-C to HDMI adapter with a compatible monitor. If you do not have a monitor that has a USB-C port, then you may need to purchase some different adapters.
My Name is Ty, and I have been in IT for years. As an IT Field Technician, I work with MacBook users day in and day out, helping to solve a multitude of issues.
This article will show you the numerous ways you can connect your MacBook Air to an external monitor of your choosing.
Let’s Begin.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- You can use a USB-C to USB-C connector to quickly connect your MacBook Air to an external monitor, as long as the monitor has a USB-C port.
- Alternatively, you can use a USB-C to HDMI (or DVI) adapter to connect to your monitor.
- Verify your device is up-to-date to make sure your display works properly.
- You can connect to some external monitors/TVs remotely with Screen Mirroring or AirPlay.
Connecting Your MacBook Air using USB-C or Adapters
A great and easy way to connect your MacBook Air to a monitor is to plug it in directly. Grab a USB-C to USB-C cable and connect your MacBook Air to the monitor. The only caveat with this is most monitors do not have a USB-C port.
If you have yet to purchase a monitor, it would be best to search for one with a USB-C port, so it can plug and play with your MacBook Air. When you go monitor shopping, ask an employee which monitors are compatible or just look at the specifications.
You can check the back of your monitor, if you already own one, to see what ports are available. If you do not see a USB-C, don’t worry, there are alternatives! Depending on the ports you see on the back will determine what adapter you want to go with.
If you just want to cover most of your bases, A USB-C to the multiport adapter will be your best bet. This will include an HDMI and VGA port, which most standard monitors come equipped with. You can find one here.
From here, you simply plug the adapter into your MacBook Air and then connect either an HDMI or a VGA cable from your monitor to the multiport adapter. Voila, your monitor will now either mirror or extend your current display!
If you don’t want to deal with the multiport, you can also just get a USB-C (whatever your port is). For example, you could get this USB-C to HDMI cable that will plug directly into your MacBook Air via USB-C and HDMI into your monitor.
Connect your MacBook Air to Smart TVs using Screen Mirroring
If you don’t want to deal with wires and cables, there is a way you can extend or mirror your display without ever having to touch one.
- Navigate to System Settings, and then select Display.
- Click the + icon to see all available devices to which you can mirror your screen.
- Some devices require an AirPlay passcode to access the screen. This will appear on the TV or monitor you are casting to. Simply input the code, and your screen is now mirrored.
- After successfully mirroring, you can adjust the resolution and display quality.
Keep Your MacBook Air Up-To-Date
If you plug everything in and it doesn’t seem to be working, one of the culprits could be an out-of-date operating system. Keeping a product up to date is essential for everyday functions to work correctly.
Navigate to System Settings> General > Software Updates. If there’s an update available, install it. After the update finishes, restart your MacBook Air, and you should be good to go!
Does the MacBook Air Work with Any Monitor?
Your MacBook Air can work with ANY monitor as long as you make sure you have purchased the correct adapter.
Final Thoughts
It is pretty simple to connect your MacBook Air as long as you make sure you have the correct adapters!
You don’t even need that if you decide to mirror your screen to a smart TV or another compatible device.
