How to Set Up Dual Monitors on a Mac

This article explains how to set up dual monitors on a Mac, including how to connect a second monitor to a Mac laptop (like MacBook Air) and how to connect two monitors to a desktop Mac (like a Mac Mini).

How to Know Your Mac Supports the Monitor You Choose

To find out exactly what your Mac can handle, you’ll need to check out the technical specifications on Apple’s website.

Here’s how to find out what kind of monitor your Mac can handle:

1. Navigate to Apple's site, then select Support from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

   Another option is to visit Apple support's Documentation site and select Mac from the product category tiles to locate specs for your model.

2. On the Support page, scroll down to "Search for topics" and type in your Mac's information (model, year, etc).

3. From the results page, select List of Models and then choose Identify your model.

   If you don't see this option, look for a technical specifications result. For example, if you searched for "MacBook Air 15-inch 2023," look for this option: "MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023) - Technical Specifications."

4. Scroll down the results page until you find your Mac model, and then select the Tech Specs link.

5. Find the Video Support section, and look for supported display details. This item could also be labeled Display Support.

In this example, you can see that a 2011 MacBook Air 13-inch can display its native resolution on the built-in display while also outputting video to an external display at a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. That means this particular Mac could handle a 1080p display easily, but it wouldn’t work with a 4K monitor.

How to Set Up Dual Monitors On a Mac

Once you’ve obtained one or multiple monitors for your MacBook or a desktop Mac, you’ve verified your Mac can handle the monitors, and you have either the necessary cables and adapters, you’re ready to set up dual displays on your device.

Here’s how to set up dual monitors on a Mac:

1. Connect the monitor to the Mac, using the appropriate cable and adapters if necessary.

   If you’re setting up dual monitors on your Mac, connect both monitors during this step.

2. Position your monitors and Mac where you want them on your desk.

3. Turn on your Mac. It will automatically detect and activate the second monitor, although the settings may not be to your liking.

   If the monitor doesn’t turn on automatically with the Mac, turn it on manually. If the display is on but not connecting, check out How to Fix It When Mac is Not Detecting an External Display.

4. Click the Apple menu icon.

5. Click System Preferences or System Settings.

6. Click Displays.

7. On your main display, click Arrangement. You may also see this option listed as Arrange.

8. On the Arrangement or Arrange Displays menu, you’ll see the positioning of your displays. If you want to change the setup, locate the secondary monitor icon.

   If you're satisfied with the monitor positioning, you can skip to step 11.

9. Click and drag the secondary monitor into the correct position.

10. Release your mouse or trackpad, and the secondary monitor will drop into the position you chose.

11. On your main display, make sure to deselect the screen mirroring box or that you've selected Main display from the Use as drop-down menu.

    If the mirror displays box is checked, both monitors will show the same image at all times.

12. Click the correct resolution for your display.

    Select the built-in resolution for your monitor for the best results. It needs to be equal to or lower than the resolution that your Mac is capable of handling.

13. Make sure the image doesn't look stretched, squashed, discolored, or anything. If it doesn't look right, click Scaled or choose an option from the resolutions thumbnails.

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    If you don't see scaling options, press Ctrl while clicking a resolution and select Show Thumbnails.

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    If you don't see scaling options, press Ctrl while clicking a resolution and select Show Thumbnails.

    Depending on your Mac and external displays, you may see other configuration options, such as selecting a color profile or refresh rate.

14. If your second display looks right, you can close the display settings and start using your Mac with the external monitors.

How to Set Up Displays Wirelessly in Ventura

Wireless display connection options have been possible as of macOS Ventura (13). The process of wirelessly connecting an additional display is very straightforward. This method is primarily intended to work with other Apple devices.

To add your iPad, Apple TV, etc. as an extra display, open the Apple menu on your Mac and select System Settings > Displays. Next, open the + (Plus) drop-down menu and choose the device you want to start using.

How to Choose a Monitor for a Mac

If you’ve never set up dual monitors before, finding the right monitor can seem like a daunting prospect. To choose the right monitor, you need to consider the display's size, resolution, color accuracy, and other characteristics.

Match Your Mac

Before you settle on an additional monitor or a dual monitor setup, make sure that your Mac can handle the resolution. Most Macs can run and exceed 1080p on multiple monitors, but your Mac may not be able to take an additional 4K display.

If you have a desktop Mac that already has a monitor, matching that monitor with another identical unit provides the smoothest experience.

If you’re adding a second monitor to your MacBook, you may want to consider going with a bigger 4K monitor to maximize your screen real estate or a compact flat panel display that you can take with you on the go.

Ports and Inputs

It’s also important to consider the type of inputs a monitor accepts, but that isn’t as big a deal. If you find the ideal monitor, but it only has HDMI inputs, and you’re using a MacBook that only has USB-C, all you need to do is pick up a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C hub that includes an HDMI port.

You can also find adapters to go from HDMI to other outputs like Mini DisplayPort, so don’t let inputs hold you back when choosing a monitor.