Macbook screen is broken so I'm using external monitor, how can I make it ALWAYS mirror?

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Level 1

8 points

Macbook screen is broken so I'm using external monitor, how can I make it ALWAYS mirror?

OR how can I ensure the extended display or menu bar will show me mirroring controls.

Every time I plug in the monitor (moving between work and home, so different external monitors) I'm always back in extended display, but because I can't see the main display I can't see the display settings to turn on mirroring. When I open display settings the window is only available on main display, no options to move it I think. Deeply frustrating.

M1 macbook on sonoma OS

Posted on Nov 20, 2025 12:52 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,777 points

Nov 20, 2025 4:41 PM in response to mugloch

Command-F1

or

Command-fn-F1

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Answer 2

Nov 21, 2025 8:55 AM in response to mugloch

In addition to the great keyboard shortcut that BobHarris mentioned, and that allows you to instantly switch between mirroring and extending: Macs usually remember how a display was last used.

If you can set it to mirror, it should remember it for the next time. At least mine does - always extending when I connect the display at my home desk; always mirroring when connecting a projector at work.

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