How to connect macbook to macbook
How to connect macbook to macbook
How to Connect a MacBook to an iMac?
It can be annoying to use flash drives to transfer content, so you’ll be pleased to know Mac has provided an in-built feature to connect devices that are on the same Wi-Fi network. It allows you to transfer files, and even control one device from another. Connecting an iMac to a MacBook opens a wide range of options for sharing resources or collaborating on projects. If you have a MacBook Air without a disc drive, you can use the one on your iMac instead of buying an external drive. Once the Macs can communicate with each other, you’ll have to specify what you want to share, and with whom to share it.
Here we will look into two simple methods to connect a MacBook to an iMac.
Method 1: Using your iMac as a Monitor
Follow the below steps to connect a MacBook to an iMac:
Step 1: Determine the cable you’ll need for your iMac. The type of cable you’ll need varies by model:
Step 2: Locate the port on your MacBook.
Step 3: Turn on both computers. If you haven’t yet logged in to either computer, you should do so now.
Step 4: Connect the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable to both computers.
Step 5: Press Command + 2 on the iMac. The iMac’s display will now show the MacBook’s screen instead of its own.
Method 2: Sharing Files Between Computers
Follow the below steps for sharing files between computers:
Step 1: Connect both Macs to the same wireless network.
Step 2: Click the Apple menu on the computer that has something to share. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 3: Click “System Preferences”.
Step 4: Click Sharing. A list of sharing services will appear.
Step 5: Set up file sharing.
Step 6: Open Finder on the other computer.
Step 7: Click the “Go” menu. It is at the top of the screen.
Step 8: Click “Connect to Server.
Step 9: Enter the IP address for the other computer. This is the address present on the other computer’s Sharing screen.
Step 10: Click “Connect”.
Step 11: Choose how to connect.
Step 12: Follow the on-screen instructions to log in. Once you’ve connected to the other computer, you can access its files.
Step 13: Set up printer sharing (optional).
To select specific users, click + under the user list, then choose who should be allowed to print.
Step 14: Set up other types of sharing (optional). If you want users of the other computer to be able to connect to this one for remote administration or screen sharing, choose the required option from the list, then follow the same instructions as you did for file and printer sharing.
So these are the two methods to connect a MacBook to an iMac.
How to Connect an iMac to a MacBook Pro
If you want to see the content on your MacBook on a large iMac screen, or work on some file stored in your iMac while on the go, you might want to connect your iMac to your MacBook Pro. It can be annoying to use flash drives to transfer content, so you’ll be pleased to know Mac has provided an in-built feature to connect devices that are on the same Wi-Fi network. It allows you to transfer files, and even control one device from another. You can do that by following these simple steps.
1.) Open ‘System Preferences’ on your iMac
Click on the ‘Apple’ logo, and select ‘System preferences’ from the drop-down list. The ‘System Preference’ dialog box will appear.
2.) Click on ‘Sharing’
Select Sharing in the dialog box. A ‘Sharing’ dialog box will appear.
3.) Turn on Sharing
In the ‘Sharing’ dialog box, you need to turn on the options you want to activate by checking the boxes. These options include Screen Sharing, File Sharing, Remote Login, and Internet Sharing.
4.) Manage Sharing
You can manage what you want to share with another user. To do that, select the files you want to share by clicking on the ‘+’ button.
5.) Select Users
You can select the users you want to share with. In this case, your MacBook. Click on the ‘+’ button and select your MacBook Pro.
6.) Open Finder on your MacBook Pro
Open Finder on your MacBook Pro, and you will see your iMac under the Shared panel. After clicking on it, you will see a small screen showing your iMac.
7.) Connect to your iMac
Click on the ‘Connect As’ button. A login box will pop-up.
8.) Enter iMac login
Select ‘Registered User’. Enter your iMac login and password on the login screen.
9.) Click on ‘Connect’
Select the ‘Connect’ tab on the login screen. This will connect your MacBook to your iMac. You can now easily share files between the devices.
Connect a display to your Mac
Learn how to connect another display to your Mac.
Find out how many displays you can connect
You can connect one or more external displays depending on your Mac model. To find out how many external displays your Mac supports, check its technical specifications page:
Mac computers with Apple silicon
On Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can connect up to 5 displays depending on the chip in your Mac. To find out which chip your Mac has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
If you’re using a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Max:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Pro:
If you’re using a Mac with the M1 or M2 chip:
Connect your display
Connect your display to power, then connect your display to your Mac. Check the ports on your Mac to find out whether you need an adapter. If you’re using a USB-C or Thunderbolt adapter to connect your display, the adapter must be compliant with DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4.
If you use an external keyboard and mouse with your Mac notebook, you can close the built-in display after you connect your external display. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display. To use your Mac with the display closed, you need to connect your power adapter or connect an external display that also charges your Mac, such as the Apple Studio Display or 23.7-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display.
If your external display doesn’t turn on after you connect it to your Mac, connect your display while your Mac is off, then wake or turn on your Mac.
Use AirPlay
If you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV, you can use your TV as a separate display for your Mac. Learn how to use AirPlay to mirror or extend your Mac display.
Connect a display to your Mac
Learn how to connect another display to your Mac.
Find out how many displays you can connect
You can connect one or more external displays depending on your Mac model. To find out how many external displays your Mac supports, check its technical specifications page:
Mac computers with Apple silicon
On Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can connect up to 5 displays depending on the chip in your Mac. To find out which chip your Mac has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
If you’re using a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Max:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Pro:
If you’re using a Mac with the M1 or M2 chip:
Connect your display
Connect your display to power, then connect your display to your Mac. Check the ports on your Mac to find out whether you need an adapter. If you’re using a USB-C or Thunderbolt adapter to connect your display, the adapter must be compliant with DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4.
If you use an external keyboard and mouse with your Mac notebook, you can close the built-in display after you connect your external display. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display. To use your Mac with the display closed, you need to connect your power adapter or connect an external display that also charges your Mac, such as the Apple Studio Display or 23.7-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display.
If your external display doesn’t turn on after you connect it to your Mac, connect your display while your Mac is off, then wake or turn on your Mac.
Use AirPlay
If you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV, you can use your TV as a separate display for your Mac. Learn how to use AirPlay to mirror or extend your Mac display.
Connect a display to your Mac
Learn how to connect another display to your Mac.
Find out how many displays you can connect
You can connect one or more external displays depending on your Mac model. To find out how many external displays your Mac supports, check its technical specifications page:
Mac computers with Apple silicon
On Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can connect up to 5 displays depending on the chip in your Mac. To find out which chip your Mac has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
If you’re using a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Max:
If you’re using a Mac with M1 Pro:
If you’re using a Mac with the M1 or M2 chip:
Connect your display
Connect your display to power, then connect your display to your Mac. Check the ports on your Mac to find out whether you need an adapter. If you’re using a USB-C or Thunderbolt adapter to connect your display, the adapter must be compliant with DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4.
If you use an external keyboard and mouse with your Mac notebook, you can close the built-in display after you connect your external display. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display. To use your Mac with the display closed, you need to connect your power adapter or connect an external display that also charges your Mac, such as the Apple Studio Display or 23.7-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display.
If your external display doesn’t turn on after you connect it to your Mac, connect your display while your Mac is off, then wake or turn on your Mac.
Use AirPlay
If you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV, you can use your TV as a separate display for your Mac. Learn how to use AirPlay to mirror or extend your Mac display.