---
title: "Connecting an Apple MacBook to a Projector or External Display"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/10866032732/Connecting%20an%20Apple%20MacBook%20to%20a%20Projector%20or%20External%20Display"
format: markdown
---
<span style="color: #172b4d">Faculty, students, and staff can connect a MacBook to a projector or external display via an HDMI cable. Users can also change the settings for the connection including audio, resolution adjustment, and the display.</span>

## <span style="color: #172b4d">Connecting to a Projector</span>

When connecting a MacBook to a classroom system via an HDMI cable, you will need to tell your computer to output the sound through the HDMI output.

1. Connect the HDMI cable from the classroom system to your laptop’s HDMI port.
2. Power on the classroom system.
3. Select **Laptop HDMI. **
4. Click the **Apple Icon** in the top left corner.
5. Choose **System Preferences. **
6. Click the **Sound** icon in the second row.
7. Select the **Output** tab.
8. Choose the **Extron D** option.
9. When you have finished using the HDMI connection, remove the HDMI cable from your laptop. Your laptop will default back to the internal speakers.

> ⚠️ <span style="color: #333333">When outputting audio through the HDMI port, the only audio control will be from the classroom program volume bar. There will be no volume control on your laptop with this option.</span>

## Connecting to an External Display

UConn classrooms have USB-C HDMI cables built in. This means you will not need an adapter, and you will see the USB-C HDMI option on the touch panel.

1. Connect the available display cable (**VGA**, **HDMI**, **DisplayPort**, **DVI**) to the **USB-C HDMI **cable (if you have not done so already).
2. Connect the **USB-C HDMI** cable to your laptop.
3. Turn on the monitor.
4. Change the input of the monitor to the input you are using.

> ⚠️ <span style="color: #333333">Remember that not all monitors change input the same way.</span>

## Changing Display Settings and Resolution When Connected via HDMI

If connected to a classroom system via HDMI, you should first

1. Ensure that the classroom system is powered on.
2. Select **Laptop HDMI** before modifying display settings.

To modify display settings, 

1. Click the **Apple Icon** in the top left corner.
2. Select** System Preferences. **
3. Select **Displays** in the second row.
4. Under the Displays window, select the **Arrangement **tab.
5. The **Mirror Display **check box is located in the bottom left corner. This option will duplicate what is being shown on the laptop screen to the projector. If you do not wish to have the same windows on both screens do not check this box.

### Mirrored Desktop

If the desktop is mirrored, 

1. A secondary window will appear with options to adjust the resolution when the **Mirror Display **option is checked. On the **Display **window, select the **Display tab. **
2. From the **Optimize For **drop-down menu, select **Display. **
3. Select the **Scaled** option just below the drop-down menu.
4. Depending on the display and the connection type, you will be offered multiple resolutions. Select the resolution that works best for you.

### Extended Desktop 

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

1. Deselect the **Mirrored Display** option under the **Display Menu. **
2. On the classroom preview monitor, you will see a **Display **window. Scroll your mouse to the right to access the second screen.
3. Select the **Display** tab on this window.
4. Select the **Scaled** option.
5. Depending on the display and the connection type, you will be offered multiple resolutions. Select the resolution that works best for you.
6. After these settings have been adjusted, they will become the default settings for when you connect your laptop to the same external monitor. Close all windows related to **Display** and** System Preferences.**

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