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This article explains how to Connect Two Monitors On MacBook, including how to connect a second monitor to a Mac laptop (like a MacBook Air) and how to connect two monitors to a Mac desktop. (like a Mac Mini).
If you want to use more than one program at the same time, a dual monitor can help. You won’t have to click as much between windows, and your work will go more smoothly. You might also want another screen for your work chats (like on Slack), reference files, or CAD blueprints. So, how many monitors can you hook up to your MacBook Pro?
The Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI cable on the MacBook M1 Pro 16″ make it easy to connect up to two external monitors. If you have a 13-inch MacBook Air, you can use its built-in hardware to set up one extra monitor. However, there is a way to connect another monitor. (see below).
How to Connect Two Monitors On MacBook
Identify Your Model
The first step in the process is to identify your MacBook’s model. It is critical to know your exact model number and MacBook configuration to determine how many monitors your Mac supports (and at what resolution). To find your MacBook’s model, click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen and choose About This Mac.
Verify the Number of External Monitors Your MacBook Pro Supports
Go to support.apple.com and scroll down until you see the search field for “Search for topics.” Put your model number in the box and hit the return key to search. Make sure to type the whole model name or copy and paste it.
Look for the link to the Technical Specifications page for your model in the list of search results and click on it. Scroll down until you see “Display Support.” Under this heading, Apple will list how many external monitors your MacBook Pro can support.
Connect the MacBook Pro to the Monitors
With the proper hardware, plug the cables into the monitors and connect them to the Mac. Ensure the monitors are plugged into a power outlet, turned on, and set to the proper input setting. Turn on the MacBook Pro if it’s not on already. The Mac will auto-detect the monitors.
Use System Preferences to Configure the Monitor Arrangement
Open System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura and above) and click on the Displays option. From this pane, you can configure your monitor arrangement as desired from this pane by dragging and dropping the tiles to correspond with your layout.
FAQ
Can you connect two monitors to MacBook Air M1?
While the M1 and M2 MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the M1 and M2 Mac Mini does natively support up to two external monitors—one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. But the M1 models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lack an HDMI port and only support a single external display over Thunderbolt
Can MacBook Pro support 2 monitors?
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023) models with the M2 Pro chip support up to two external displays simultaneously, based on the resolution (up to 8K) and refresh rate (up to 240Hz) of each external display.
How do I add a second monitor to my MacBook Air?
Connect a VGA display or projector: Use a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter to connect the display or projector to a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port on your MacBook Air. Connect an HDMI display or HDTV: Use a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to connect the HDMI display or HDTV to a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port on your MacBook Air.
What cable do I need to connect two monitors?
If your monitor and laptop or PC have one or two HDMI ports, you just need a single HDMI cable. If you want to connect two monitors but only have one HDMI port, use an HDMI splitter. Be sure that the splitter has the same refresh rate as the HDMI cable.
