Connecting a Mac to an External Display

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Last updated: Oct 23, 2024 by John Do
2 min read

Students, faculty, and staff can connect their Mac to an external display. 

Changing macOS Display Settings

  1. Open System Settings, then select Displays.

  2. When you connect an external display, it will automatically detect and connect.

  3. Use the + button to manually add a display or connect to wireless displays, like iPads or other AirPlay devices.

  4. Click on each display icon (e.g., Built-in Display or External Display) to access its individual settings.

  5. Use the Use as menu to select between Main display, Extended display, or Mirror.

  6. Adjust display settings:

  • Resolution: Choose between Larger Text, Default, or More Space.

  • Brightness: Adjust manually or enable Automatically adjust brightness.

  • True Tone and Color Profile settings are available for further display customization.

Mirrored Desktop

  1. Open System Settings, then select Displays.

  1. Select the external display icon.

  1. In the Use as menu, select Mirror for Built-in Display.

  1. Adjust the resolution using the Scaled option.

  1. Optimize for: Choose whether to optimize for your MacBook or external display.

  1. Adjust Color Profile and Refresh Rate for better performance (e.g., 60 Hertz).

  1. Access additional options like Advanced or Night Shift for further customization.

  2. Holding Option changes Night Shift to Detect Displays for troubleshooting.

Extended Desktop 

If the desktop is extended, you need to use both your MacBook screen and the classroom preview screen to adjust the resolution.

  1. Open System Settings, then select Displays.

  1. Ensure Mirror Display is deselected for an extended desktop.

  1. Click on each display icon (e.g., Built-in Display or the external monitor) to access its individual settings.

  1. Adjust the resolution under the Use as menu (e.g., Extended Display) and select from the available resolutions (e.g., 3440 x 1440, 1920 x 1080, etc.).

  1. Adjust settings like Color profile, Refresh rate, and Rotation as needed.

  1. Holding Option changes Night Shift to Detect Displays for troubleshooting.

USB-C HDMI-Enabled Classrooms

UConn classrooms may already have built-in USB-C HDMI cables, eliminating the need for adapters. You will find the USB-C HDMI option on the classroom’s touch panel.

  1. Connect the display cable (USB-C, VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI) directly to your laptop.

  1. Power on the monitor.

  1. Use the touch panel to select the appropriate input.

Please note that not all monitors change input the same way.

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