Main display shortcut
Switch the main display on Mac with a keyboard shortcut
DeskCommit
See how DeskCommit works
To switch the main display from the keyboard, open DeskCommit with its default shortcut, Control–Shift–D, select the screen you want to use, and press M. Review the pending assignment and press Return to apply it. Without DeskCommit, use System Settings → Displays to choose the main display.
You can change the shortcut in DeskCommit Settings.
Selecting a screen and making it the main display are separate actions. Selecting it alone does not change its role.
Last updated: Last verified: Tested with: DeskCommit 0.4.3 (13) · macOS 26.5.1 · Apple silicon
macOS menu bar app
What is DeskCommit?
DeskCommit lets you choose a display and move it left, right, above, or below another with the arrow keys. Press the default shortcut, Control–Shift–D, from any app, use Shift–Arrow when you want to align edges or centers, review the pending change, and press Return to apply it. You can change the shortcut in DeskCommit Settings. Resolution, refresh rate, and Main stay in the same palette.
This guide focuses on the Main control inside the DeskCommit palette. The shared video shows the palette and its review-before-apply workflow; the exact M-key steps are below.
See how DeskCommit worksSwitch the main display in DeskCommit
- Connect at least two displays and use an extended desktop rather than mirroring.
- Press Control–Shift–D (⌃⇧D) to open the palette.
- Click the screen you want to make the main display, or press its displayed number from 1 to 9.
- Press M. The Main marker moves to that screen, and the palette footer shows the pending assignment.
- Check the target, then press Return to apply the change.
Before applying, press M again to cancel the proposed assignment. After applying, keep the palette open and press Command–Z to undo the last display change.
You can also use the Main control on the selected display card with the pointer.
Change the main display in macOS settings
- Open System Settings and choose Displays.
- Select the connected screen you want to change.
- Open the Use as menu and choose Main display.
The Use as control appears when an external display is connected. Available controls vary by Mac and display; see Apple's guide to Displays settings on Mac.
What selection and the Main control do
Selecting a display makes it the target of your next DeskCommit action. The M key prepares a main display assignment, arrow keys change relative position, and Option–Arrow changes display modes. Review the pending change before applying it.
Changing the main display does not move every open window or change mirroring through DeskCommit. The behavior of the menu bar, Dock, windows, and Spaces also depends on your macOS desktop settings.
Save the main display with your usual setup
Use Command–S to save arrangement, resolution, refresh rate, and the main display assignment together. When you return to the same display set, press Command–P and select the matching setup to restore it manually.
DeskCommit does not switch the main display automatically when a screen connects. It can only control screens macOS already detects. If displays are mirrored, switch them to an extended desktop in System Settings before following the keyboard steps above.
See the palette's preview and apply controls
The video demonstrates the palette using an arrangement change, rather than the specific M-key procedure. Follow the steps above to change the main display. The product page covers the app's other display controls.
DeskCommit Personal
Set up displays from your keyboard.
macOS 13 or later. Apple silicon and Intel. Up to two Macs for one person.
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