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To connect a 2012 MacBook Air to an HDTV, plug a Mini DisplayPort (or Thunderbolt) to HDMI adapter into the MacBook Air’s Thunderbolt port, connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV, and switch the TV to that HDMI input. The 2012 MacBook Air doesn’t have an HDMI port, so the adapter is the key piece.
Apple’s technical specifications for the MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) list Thunderbolt digital video output with native Mini DisplayPort output, and “HDMI audio and video output using third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (sold separately).” Apple’s article on connecting to HDMI from your Mac says the same for Macs with Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort.
What You Need
- A Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
- An HDMI cable long enough to reach your TV.
- A TV with a free HDMI input.
How to Connect the 2012 MacBook Air to an HDTV
- Plug the adapter into the Thunderbolt port on your MacBook Air.
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter and the other end to an HDMI port on your TV.
- Turn on the TV and use its remote to select the HDMI input you plugged into.
- Wait a moment for your MacBook Air to detect the TV.
Result: Your desktop appears on the TV. Apple’s specs say the 2012 MacBook Air can drive its built-in display plus an external display at up to 2560 by 1600 pixels.
How to Set Up the TV in macOS
On a 2012 MacBook Air, these settings are in System Preferences. Apple’s macOS Catalina guide to using multiple displays covers these settings:
- Extended desktop: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays, then click Arrangement and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Mirroring: In Displays, click Display and set both displays to the same resolution, then click Arrangement and select Mirror Displays.
- TV not detected: In Displays, click Display, then Detect Displays (you may need to hold the Option key to see it). You can also try putting your Mac to sleep and waking it.
Send Sound to the TV
Apple’s HDMI article says that if your HDMI device isn’t getting audio, go to System Preferences > Sound and make sure the HDMI device is selected in the Output pane. Apple’s guide to sound output settings explains that all available output devices are listed there.
Fix Common Problems
- Picture is cut off at the edges: Apple suggests fixing overscan or underscan on your TV or projector. An underscan slider appears only for some configurations and resolutions.
- HDCP error during video: Apple says this can happen if your Mac sleeps while a video is playing or paused. Quit the app and open it again.
- Text looks fuzzy: Try a different resolution. See how to change the screen resolution on a MacBook Air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2012 MacBook Air have an HDMI port?
No. Apple’s specs list a Thunderbolt port for video, and HDMI output requires a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
Will the TV play sound from my MacBook Air?
Yes, if your adapter supports audio. Apple’s specs list HDMI audio and video output through the adapter; select the TV under Sound > Output.
Related Guides
- How to eject a disc from a SuperDrive on a MacBook Air
- How to delete junk files on a MacBook Air
- How to change the login password on a MacBook Air
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.