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What's the Keyboard Shortcut to Switch to External Monitor on Mac? Explained

Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – October 11th, 2022

switch to external monitor mac shortcut

The more screen you have, the more productive your work and understanding are; So, when using multiple displays, knowing what’s the keyboard shortcut to switch to external monitor on Mac is helpful. The Macbook Pro is a powerhouse that can run most software smoothly; some even refer to it as a portable workstation for pros.

When you compare Mac to Windows, you will see how great and simple it is to complete the same tasks. External monitors are helpful if you wish to utilize a larger monitor to expand your desktop or increase the viewing area to raise your productivity even more.

While adding a second screen is typically straightforward, some people may be unsure how to accomplish it. If this is you, don’t panic.

Continue reading this article to learn more about the time you will save using an external monitor and how to put one up quickly with this Mac shortcut:

What's the Keyboard Shortcut to Switch to External Monitor on Mac? Explained

Keyboard Shortcut To Switch To External Monitor On Mac

Shortcuts on the Keyboard are terrific and speedy to do any task. Therefore, by tapping specific key combinations, the Macbook provides several shortcuts. You can perform tasks with them that often need a mouse, trackpad, or another input device. Therefore, if you have already configured Mac’s external display, you may switch to it using the duplicate keyboard keys.

The combination Command key + F1 works with all Mac keyboards to access the second display, sometimes known as the external display.

This combination works with MacBook Pro, Air, and iMac models. It also works with external devices like the Keyboard and external displays. If not, you may test it out by pressing Fn + Command key + F1 or Option key + Command + F1.

Bonus Tip: Mac allows you to modify the shortcut keys. Select Keyboard > Shortcuts from the Apple menu in System Preferences on your Mac. You may create new shortcuts here.

Here, I’m assuming that you already have an external monitor of some kind connected. Mirroring will immediately become available when you press the shortcut above the buttons. If you want to know how to set up the external monitor, skip to the following sections.

Switch To External Monitor Without Shortcut Keys

The procedures below should get taken if your Mac doesn’t recognize a connected monitor after pressing a shortcut key.

Step #1: Open your Mac’s Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then click Displays.

Step #2: Click on the Detect Displays button. You might have to press the Option key to view the Detect Displays button.

Note: You can also select Extend display from the pop-up menu by clicking your display name.

Setting Up the External Monitor

It’s easy to connect an external display to a MacBook Pro. You will need to attach the monitor to its external power supply and then link it to the MacBook using an HDMI cable or Thunderbolt/USB-C connection. Once the monitor is connected, you may adjust several complicated settings to alter how your MacBook and monitor work together.

Bonus Tip: Reconnect the cable after disconnecting it from your Mac’s external display. If your Mac’s ports get not connected to an external monitor,

Depending on your Mac type, you can connect one or more external monitors. You must visit the technical specs page of your Mac to learn how many external monitors it can support. However, it may also get found under Graphics or Video Support.

However, depending on the chip in your Mac, you can connect up to 5 screens to Mac computers made using Apple hardware. Securely attach a video wire to each monitor. When you connect your external display to your Mac, if it does not turn on immediately, attach it first while your computer is off, then wake it up or turn it on.

Bonus Tip: You can choose some displays to employ mirroring if your Mac gets linked to more than two screens.

External Monitor for Computers

Businesses frequently worry about whether to replace their computers and what specific additional components to utilize to enhance employee productivity. Computers may get used for various tasks, which are widely available in all job settings.

They have increased productivity by automating tedious processes and facilitating access to information. But studies indicate from HCI research has shown that increasing the performance of one’s equipment may not always be the unique approach to improving one’s productivity.

As was already said, your organization’s methods need not be complicated. Instead of taking drastic measures, you need to make simple tweaks to increase your team’s productivity. When several individuals use computers for various tasks, having an extra screen comes to mind as an effort to increase productivity.

And according to the study, using a second monitor helped users be more productive on average by 42%. So, if your business provides a Macbook for you to use at the workplace or if you already own one, how you set it up with an extra screen is something you would want to know for sure. The second thing I have already discussed above, what’s the keyboard shortcut to switch to external monitor on Mac.

What’s the Keyboard Shortcut to Switch to External Monitor on Mac: Bottom Line

With a dual monitor configuration, you may multitask your work without sacrificing efficiency. Fortunately, the Mac book gives you a wide range of possibilities. Setting up your Mac book for an external display is reasonably simple, and you can access various customization choices. The only challenging component of attaching a display to your computer is finding the proper connection to plug into your Mac and the monitor.

Since you will be switching between the displays most of the time, knowing how to do so quickly is highly helpful. Additionally, you may expand or mirror your desktop. With any Apple laptop, this shortcut key practically always functions as expected. Furthermore, you may modify the keyboard shortcut keys to suit your preferences or style if you don’t like the available selections.

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Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller

IT Consultant at Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.

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About Online Cloud Security:

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

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Online Cloud Security Logo (500x500px)

About Online Cloud Security

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

Recent Posts: