Connect a display to Mac Studio

The Thunderbolt ports
Before you begin
Check the documentation that came with your display to see which port you should use: HMDI, Thunderbolt, or either one. Also, make sure you have the correct cable to connect your display.
When you connect a display, you can select a resolution and refresh rate (Hz) for that display. If you increase the refresh rate for your display, you should select a lower resolution for best performance. Use Displays settings in System Settings to adjust the refresh rate and resolution of your display.
If you’re not sure how many external displays your Mac Studio supports, check your Technical Specifications. Open System Settings, choose Help > Mac Studio Specifications, then locate Video Support (you may need to scroll).
Connect a display to Mac Studio
Use the HDMI port to connect one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz.
Use the Thunderbolt ports to connect one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz.
Make sure your Mac Studio and display are both connected to power, then connect your devices using the correct cable and ports. See the Apple Support article If your external display is dark or low resolution.
To learn more about using an 8K display with your Mac Studio, see the Apple Support article Use an 8K display with your Mac.
Connect multiple displays to Mac Studio
Tip: When connecting multiple displays, connect the display with the highest resolution first.
Connect multiple displays to Mac Studio with M4 Max. You can connect up to five external displays using the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports.
To connect five external displays, use the Thunderbolt ports to connect four displays with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz, then use the HDMI port to connect a fifth display with up to 4K at 60 Hz.
You can also use the Thunderbolt or HDMI ports on your Mac Studio to connect the following configurations:
Four displays with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz.
Two displays with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4k at 240 Hz.
Three displays—two with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144Hz and one with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
Connect multiple displays to Mac Studio with M3 Ultra. You can connect up to eight displays using the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports (depending on the resolution and refresh rates) in the following configurations.
Use the four Thunderbolt ports on the back of your Mac Studio to connect:
Four displays with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz.
Two displays with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
Three external displays—two with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144Hz and one with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
Additionally, use the Thunderbolt ports on the front of your Mac Studio and the HDMI port on the back to connect:
Four displays with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz.
Two displays with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
Three external displays—two with up to 6K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144Hz and one with up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
Note: Some configurations may require connecting two displays on a single cable in a “daisy chain” or connecting to a Thunderbolt dock.
For a complete list of display configurations for your Mac Studio, see Apple Support article How many displays can you connect to Mac Studio.
What cable do I need?
If your display has a connector that doesn’t match the port you want to use, you may be able to use it with an adapter (sold separately). Visit apple.com, your local Apple Store, or other resellers for more information and availability. Review the display’s documentation or check with the display’s manufacturer to make sure you choose the right adapter. See the Apple Support article Adapters for the Thunderbolt or USB-C ports on your Mac.
To connect this device to Mac Studio | Use a cable, or an adapter and cable |
---|---|
Apple Studio Display | The Thunderbolt cable that came with your display or any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or Thunderbolt 5 cable |
Apple Pro Display XDR | The Thunderbolt cable that came with your display or any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or Thunderbolt 5 cable |
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) display | Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable |
USB-C display | USB-C (USB 3.1) cable |
HDMI display, TV, or projector | The HDMI cable that came with the device or any supported HDMI cable |
Thunderbolt 2 display | Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and the cable that came with your Thunderbolt 2 display |
VGA display or projector | USB-C VGA Multiport adapter and the cable that came with your display or projector |
DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort display | USB-C to DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort adapter and the cable that came with your display |
DVI display or projector | USB-C to DVI adapter and the cable that came with your display or projector |
Adjust and arrange displays. After you connect a display or projector, use Displays settings in System Settings to turn screen mirroring on or off, arrange and manage multiple displays, and make other adjustments to color, resolution, and more. See Connect one or more external displays with your Mac.
Tip: If you have an HDTV connected to an Apple TV, you can use AirPlay to mirror your screen in up to 1080p HD. See Stream content on a larger screen with AirPlay for details.
Apple Studio Display. The Studio Display has a 27-inch 5K Retina screen resolution featuring 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for 1 billion colors. Look your best with the 12MP Center Stage camera. Enjoy high-fidelity audio from the six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio for music and video with Dolby Atmos. Three studio-quality microphones deliver super-clear audio for videoconferencing and voice calls, as well as high-quality recordings for podcasts and voice memos. Use the Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) port to connect your Mac Studio and the three USB-C ports to connect accessories and other devices. See the Getting Started with Apple Studio Display guide.