How to Extend Display on Mac

When everything is functioning correctly, extending your Mac’s screen is straightforward. Begin by connecting the two devices with a compatible cable. Next, go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Displays. Under the Use as section, choose Mirror or extend Built-in Display.

What do you need to extend display on Mac?

Before extending your Mac screen to an external display, we suggest you ensure you have all the necessary components. Failing to prepare in advance can lead to unnecessary frustration. As such, confirm that your devices are compatible by verifying they meet both hardware and software requirements, and double-check that you have the right cables ready.

1. Hardware requirements

Checking your Mac or MacBook’s model and chip may not be the first step you consider when extending your screen, but we believe it’s crucial. Identifying this information beforehand determines the number of external displays your device supports and the possible display configurations.

To make it easier for you to review the hardware requirements, we’ve provided the following table:

2. Appropriate adapters and cables

The table above can help you identify which cables or adapters are required to connect your external display or displays to your Apple computer, based on your specific model. We also advise checking the ports available on both your Mac and your external display before purchasing a new cable.

Here are the most commonly used cables:

• HDMI to HDMI: Ideal for connecting Macs and displays that both feature HDMI ports.
• USB-C to USB-C: Best suited for Macs and Thunderbolt-compatible displays.
• USB-A to USB-A: Used with external displays that have traditional USB ports, although you’ll likely need an adapter to connect to modern Macs.

3. Software requirements

We understand that preparing to extend your display can initially feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about your macOS version. All modern macOS releases support dual screens. For optimal security and compatibility, we recommend using a version that still receives updates from Apple, such as macOS Sonoma or later.

Additionally, software such as DisplayLink and Instant View is ideal for users whose Macs support only one external display but need to connect more. Based on our tests, these apps are easy to install and use. They’re compatible with the latest versions of macOS, but support for macOS Tahoe isn’t yet available.

A note from our experts: 

 

Developed by Clario Tech, MacKeeper is the macOS utility software you need. MacKeeper offers memory optimization through its Memory Cleaner tool, freeing up valuable RAM and boosting your Mac’s speed and overall performance.

 

Follow our tips to use MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner on your Mac device:

1. Open MacKeeper on your computer.
2. Choose Memory Cleaner, just below Performance.
3. Click Open, then hit Clean Memory.
4. Wait until the process is complete.

How to extend a screen on Mac?

Once you’ve completed all our recommended checks, you’re ready to extend your Mac’s display. Start by connecting your Mac to the external monitor using the appropriate cables and adapters. Afterward, we’ll guide you through adjusting your Mac’s settings for optimal use.

1. Connect your monitor

To extend your Mac’s display, start by connecting your computer to the external monitor. Follow our recommended steps:

1. Examine the available ports on both your Mac and the external monitor.
2. Identify the type of ports (Thunderbolt/USB-C, HDMI, or DisplayPort) on each device.
3. Select a cable compatible with your Mac and the external monitor.
4. If necessary, use a compatible adapter to bridge any connection gaps.
5. Connect the cable and, if required, the adapter to both your Mac and the monitor.

Is your Mac not recognizing your external monitor? Check out our step-by-step guide for our tips on how to solve this issue.

2. Adjust display settings

The final step before enjoying dual screens is adjusting your Mac’s settings. Here, you can select the screen layout, set the orientation (portrait or landscape), and choose the resolution for your external monitor. In this sense, you might want to learn how to rotate your MacBook screen to suit your workspace needs.

See the steps to adjust display settings below:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Select System Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Choose Displays in the sidebar.
4. Click Arrange and adjust your workspace.
5. Go through other options to find your preferred settings.

When using dual monitors, we understand the importance of keeping your main display from turning off frequently. Check out our guide for tips on how to stop Mac from sleeping.

How to extend MacBook display to two external monitors?

To connect two or more external displays to your MacBook, first verify that your model supports multiple monitors. For MacBooks with Apple Silicon, use a separate Thunderbolt cable for each display. Older models may require an adapter. If your MacBook only supports a single external monitor, third-party apps like Instant View can help extend your display capabilities.

Is there a shortcut to extend display on Mac?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a dedicated shortcut for extending your Mac’s display to an external monitor. However, you can streamline the process by pressing Option + F2 to open the Displays panel in System Settings quickly. From there, follow the steps outlined above to extend your Mac’s display.

Our final tips on extending a screen on Mac

Extending your Mac’s screen is a straightforward process. We recommend that you ensure both your Apple computer and external monitor meet the necessary hardware and software requirements. With the appropriate cable, connecting the two devices becomes seamless.

However, a poorly performing Mac can complicate the process. MacKeeper by Clario Tech is a powerful macOS utility software designed to boost your computer’s performance. MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner optimization tool frees up valuable RAM, allowing you to use dual screens smoothly and without lag.