Nataliia Paraskeva
Oct 2, 2025
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.
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:
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.
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.
In addition, you have the option to define who has access to stream content to Apple TV. Here’s how to do so:
While AirPlay is a built-in and convenient solution for Mac users, third-party apps can sometimes offer more flexibility when streaming from a MacBook to Apple TV. They’re especially useful when it comes to supporting a wider range of video formats and enhanced playback controls. Let’s look at two such apps and their advantages
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, 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.
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
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
5. From the bottom-right corner of the app, access the streaming menu (an icon similar to the AirPlay one)
6. Choose the Apple TV device from the list and enjoy!
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.
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:
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.
FAQ
Screen mirroring is one of the features of AirPlay, but they’re not exactly the same. AirPlay can stream specific content like videos or music to another device, while screen mirroring shows your entire Mac on the TV in real time.
AirPlay is Apple’s wireless streaming technology that lets you send video, audio, photos, or your entire screen from a Mac to another device. Apple TV is a physical device that can receive AirPlay streams and also run apps, games, and streaming services on its own.
