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How to Connect Mac to Apple TV for Streaming, Mirroring or Casting

Nataliia Paraskeva Nataliia Paraskeva Aug 7, 2024

When you connect Mac to Apple TV, it allows you to enjoy various types of content on your large TV screen. Videos, movies, cartoons, or clips - you can transfer anything without affecting your current tasks on Mac. Or you can fully mirror Mac screen to Apple TV to view everything displayed on your computer monitor.

Our article explains how you can use AirPlay technology or third-party software, so that you can choose what option would work best for you.

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Elmedia Player
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Stream from Mac to Apple TV using Elmedia

AirPlay Mac to Apple TV

First, let’s explore the native screen share function available to all Mac users, AirPlay. To be able to use this feature, make sure you have everything needed:

  • A Macbook with macOS Sierra or later operating system
  • An updated Apple television set
  • A Wi-Fi network to connect both devices

Using AirPlay you can enjoy all sorts of content on the big display. Feel free to view videos and photos, stream music, or mirror the entire screen. The best part about this method is that it also applies to iOS devices, such as an iPad or an iPhone. Therefore, you can include iPadOS in this category as well.

How to Screen Mirror from Mac to Apple TV Using AirPlay

    It’s time to review the actions needed to display Mac screen on Apple TV, depending on the macOS you’re running or the task you want to perform.


    Mirror your entire Mac screen to Apple TV

    1. Turn on your Apple TV.
    2. Ensure your Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
      • Go to Settings > Network on the Apple TV and check the network name to the right of "CONNECTION".
      • On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and check which network appears as connected.

To begin screen mirroring:


With macOS Big Sur or newer versions:

  1. Go to the Control Center in the menu bar.
  2. Click on Screen Mirroring.
  3. Select your Apple TV.
  4. If prompted to, enter a four-digit code on your Mac.
  5. To end mirroring, click again on your Apple TV.

With macOS Catalina or earlier:

  1. Access the mirroring feature’s icon (a square with a triangle) from the menu.
  2. Choose your Apple device to start mirroring.

Stream a video or movie from Mac to Apple TV

  1. On your Mac, open your desired content, for example on the Apple TV app, YouTube, or even Safari.
  2. In the top right-hand corner, look for the streaming icon.
  3. Select your Apple TV from the list of available devices.

In addition, you have the option to define who has access to stream content to Apple TV. Here’s how to do so:

  1. Access Settings on your Apple TV.
  2. Go to AirPlay and HomeKit -> Allow Access and pick one of the available options:
    • Everyone - There are no restrictions regarding who can stream
    • Anyone on the Same Network - only people connected to your Wi-Fi network will have access
    • Only People Sharing This Home - will allow the ones added by you to Home Sharing to stream
    • Require Password - add a password for others to use AirPlay
    • Also Allow Nearby to AirPlay - even people in the vicinity will be able to stream

How to Stream from Mac to Apple TV
with Elmedia Player PRO


Elmedia Player PRO is an excellent alternative to AirPlay for all users who want to stream movies and videos from Mac to Apple TV. Furthermore, with the PRO version, you won’t have to worry about formats or compatibility ever again! Elmedia doesn’t need any codecs or plugins to play any file type you throw at it. AVI, MKV, MP4, FLV, MP3, FLAC, WMA, you name it. It offers effortless playback for 4K and 8K high-resolution videos or movies.

Another feature that makes this software stand out from the crowd is its ability to convert streamed media on the go. It doesn’t matter if the big screen can’t read a certain format, Elmedia will automatically transcode it for smooth playback.

Elmedia Player allows you to test the streaming feature for free for 5 minutes to get a feel of its full potential. You can also try it for other purposes, such as the option to stream video from Mac to Roku, Chromecast, LG, and any other compatible receiver device.

How to stream from Mac to Apple TV using Elmedia Player PRO

Streaming to an Apple TV via Elmedia Player is a simple process that doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Getting started is straightforward, and you’ll be done in no time by following this guide:

1. Download Elmedia Player from our website or the App Store and install it on your Mac

Stream Mac to Apple TV using Elmedia Player PRO

2. Activate the PRO version to unlock the streaming functions and many others

3.Turn the television on and double-check that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the laptop

4. Choose the media file you want to stream and play it in Elmedia

Open a file you want to stream

5. From the bottom-right corner of the app, access the streaming menu (an icon similar to the AirPlay one)

How to stream to Apple TV from Mac

6. Choose the Apple TV device from the list and enjoy!

How to Screen Mirror Mac to Apple TV via JustStream

JustStream is also a top choice for screen mirroring Mac on Apple TV. This one could be it if you’re looking for a lightweight but potent application. Besides the ability to mirror the screen, it comes with complete playback control, subtitle support, various quality settings for mirroring, extended display, and many more.

Furthermore, users who want 4K resolution for their favorite movies can count on JustStream for impeccable services. To further tweak the experience, you can decide if the mouse cursor is visible or not or if clicks are highlighted.

In case you’re using multiple displays for your laptop, the app allows you to choose which to mirror and personalize the settings for all of them. On the downside, JustStream only allows 20 minutes of streaming in the free version.

Stream videos from Mac to Apple TV using JustStream

Whether you want to play movies on a bigger screen or just get more of your favorite content, this is the complete list of steps to cast Mac to Apple TV:

  1. Install JustStream after downloading it from the App Store
  1. Open the software and click on Menu Bar
JustStream app in the Menu Bar
  1. Add the media files you want to the screenplay
  2. Click once more on the icon showing a wireless connection to pick the device to stream to (ensure both gadgets are using the same network)
  3. Press “Start Streaming” to begin

Conclusion

This is all the information you need to watch movie collections or any other media files by streaming them from your Mac to Apple TV. You’re all set to try these methods and find the best one for your needs.

Media formats supported by Elmedia Player

This media player for Mac has native support for a large number of multimedia formats, including:
MKV
AVI
WMV
MP4
MP3
FLAC
VOB
H264
TS
MXF
Blu-Ray
MPEG
MOV

FAQ

There are various ways to mirror Mac to Apple TV. You can either use AirPlay or a stand-alone app like JustStream. The latter comes with increased versatility and features that you can’t enjoy via AirPlay. You can start mirroring in minutes after installing the app on your laptop and connecting it to the Apple TV.

Of course, using a Mac, you can stream, project, mirror, or cast any type of media onto an Apple TV. Elmedia Player Pro, JustStream, and AirPlay are three of the most popular methods to get the job done, and each comes with a unique set of features

To check if the AirPlay DisPlay option is enabled on your MacBook, go to System Preferences > Display. Open the drop-down menu to select the device you want to stream video to. If your Mac is running macOS Monterey or Big Sur, you can turn on AirPlay in the Control Center as well.
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