Connect displays to your Mac mini
The HDMI and Thunderbolt / USB-C ports on your Mac mini support video output, so you can connect an external display, a projector, or a high resolution TV.
Note: This topic covers Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro. Most steps apply to all models, but display specifications vary. If you have an older model, see the Apple Support article How many displays can be connected to Mac mini for your display specifications.
Find what model of Mac you have
Before you begin
You may need to connect your display to power before you connect it to your Mac mini. You may also need to turn on your display. Consult the documentation that came with your display.
Step 1: See how many displays your Mac mini supports
You can connect up to three external displays to Mac mini in the following configurations using the Thunderbolt ports or HDMI port on the back of your Mac mini.
Note: Native resolution is the sharpest image quality your display can show; Hz is how smoothly motion and scrolling appear.
Connect a single display to your Mac mini
You can connect one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz, 5K resolution at 120 Hz, or 4K resolution at 240 Hz.
Connect multiple displays to your Mac mini
You can connect up to the number of displays shown below, using any combination of ports, for up to three connected displays.
Mac mini with M6 | Mac mini with M5 Pro |
|---|---|
Connect three external displays
| Connect three external displays
|
Connect two external displays
| Connect two external displays
|
Step 2: Identify the video ports on your Mac
Your Mac mini has three Thunderbolt / USB-C ports and one HDMI
port on the back. If you have Mac mini with M6, the back ports are Thunderbolt 4. If you have Mac mini with M5 Pro, the back ports are Thunderbolt 5. All of these ports support video output.
Note: The USB 3 ports on the front of your Mac mini don’t support video output.
For more information on the different ports available on your Mac mini, see Take a tour of Mac mini.
Step 3: Make sure you have the correct cables and adapters
If your display came with a cable that matches the ports on your Mac mini: Use that cable to connect the display.
If your display doesn’t have a cable: Get the required cables. Check the documentation that came with your display to get more information on the display’s video ports and cables.
If you have the cable that came with your display, but the connector doesn’t match the port on your Mac mini: You may be able to use an adapter (sold separately); see Adapters and cables for your Mac mini. Visit apple.com, your local Apple Store, or other resellers for more information and availability.
See the Apple Support article Adapters for the Thunderbolt or USB-C port on your Mac to identify what type of adapter you need, see what it looks like, and learn what it can be used for.
To connect this device to Mac mini | Use a cable, or an adapter and cable |
|---|---|
Apple Studio Display | The Thunderbolt cable that came with your display or any supported Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or Thunderbolt 5 cable. |
Apple Studio Display XDR | The Thunderbolt cable that came with your display or any supported 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 or HDTV | The HDMI cable that came with your display or HDTV 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. |
Step 4: Connect your displays
If your display needs to be connected to power, plug it in. Connect your display to your Mac mini using the identified video ports, cables, and adapters (if needed).
When connecting multiple displays, connect the display with the highest resolution first.
Note: If you connect a display and it’s dark, see the Apple Support article If your external display is dark or low resolution.
Step 5: Adjust display settings
After your displays are connected, you may want to adjust their settings. Open System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar to see your displays’ settings, including resolution, brightness, and color profile. You can set your display to extend or mirror your Mac desktop across your external displays.
Need more help?
For troubleshooting information, see “If the external display isn’t working” in Connect one or more external displays with your Mac.
If the display has a blank or black screen and you can’t use its highest resolutions or refresh rates, 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 mini, see the Apple Support article Use an 8K display with your Mac.