How to Extend Display on Mac

 By following below steps, you can effectively extend your display on your Mac, enhancing your productivity and multitasking capabilities.

Step 1: Identify Your Mac and Monitor Capabilities

  • Determine your Mac model: Go to Apple menu > About this Mac > Overview to find your Mac version.
  • Check available ports: Look up the ports available on your Mac using Apple’s specs page via https://support.apple.com/specs.
  • Identify your monitor’s ports: Check the back of your monitor for the model ID and visit the manufacturer’s website to see the available connectivity ports.

Step 2: Connect Your Monitor

  • Use the correct cables:
    • For Thunderbolt/USB-C displays: Connect directly to a Thunderbolt/USB-C port on your Mac.
    • For DisplayPort displays: Use a USB-C to DisplayPort 1.4 cable connected to a Thunderbolt port.
    • For HDMI displays: Plug the HDMI cable directly into the HDMI out port on your Mac. If your Mac lacks an HDMI port, use an Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
    • For VGA displays: Use a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter connected to a Thunderbolt port.

Step 3: Ensure Proper Connection

  • Turn off and on your monitor: If you encounter issues, try turning your monitor off and on.
  • Check the input source: Open your monitor’s OSD (on-screen display) and select the correct input source.
  • Verify cable connections: Ensure the display cable is properly plugged into both the Mac and the monitor.
  • Use the correct cables: Preferably use the cables provided with the monitor or purchase Apple-approved cables.

Step 4: Configure Your Displays in macOS

  • Open System Settings:
    • Click the Apple icon in the menu, then select System Settings, and click Displays in the sidebar.
  • Detect Displays:
    • If your Mac doesn’t automatically detect the monitor, hold down Option and click Detect Displays.

Step 5: Set Up Display Arrangement

  • Arrange Displays:
    • Click Arrange and drag the display icons to match their physical positions. This helps in seamless cursor movement between screens.
  • Set Display Function:
    • Click the Use as dropdown menu and select Extended display to extend your workspace or Mirror For Built-In Display to mirror your Mac’s screen.
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Step 6: Adjust Display Settings

  • Adjust Resolution and Text Size:
    • Select your desired display, then adjust the resolution and text size as needed. You can choose from predefined options or select Show All Resolutions for more choices.
  • Change Refresh Rate:
    • Adjust the refresh rate to suit your needs, especially for video editing or gaming.
  • Adjust Display Orientation:
    • If needed, change the display orientation to match your physical setup, such as rotating a monitor to portrait mode.

Step 7: Set the Main Display

  • Designate the Main Display:
    • Right-click the display you want as the main one and select Main Display, or drag the small white bar to the desired display in the Arrange Displays screen.

Step 8: Fine-Tune Your Setup

  • Adjust Color Profiles:
    • Select the appropriate color profile for your display, especially useful for graphic, image, and video professionals.
  • Customize Other Settings:
    • Adjust other settings such as display scaling and resolution to optimize your dual-screen setup.