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Arrange your displays once and Universal Display Magnet keeps them that way. Setting it up takes a minute.

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  1. 1

    Install

    Download the app, unzip it and move Universal Display Magnet to your Applications folder.

  2. 2

    Allow access

    Open it, then turn it on under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Device Control and Data Access (Accessibility on older versions of macOS), and allow Local Network access when asked.

  3. 3

    Arrange your displays

    Open Displays, drag the screens where they really are, and press Apply. From then on the arrangement comes back on its own.

  4. 4

    Save a workspace

    Lay out your windows, then choose Save Workspace… in the menu bar. Restore it any time with a click or its shortcut.

Two Macs

Install Universal Display Magnet on both Macs and link them once with Universal Control under System Settings → Displays → Link to Mac or iPad. That's all: they find each other on your network and sync, and the Universal Control page shows both Macs' displays.

Troubleshooting

Windows aren't saved or moved
Turn on Universal Display Magnet under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Device Control and Data Access (Accessibility on older versions of macOS). If it's listed and on but the app still asks, remove it with − and add it again.
Windows don't go back to their Desktop
Universal Display Magnet carries windows between Desktops with the Switch to Desktop shortcuts, so they need to be on. Choose Workspaces → Enable ⌃1…⌃0. You'll see Desktops switch briefly during a restore.
Snapping shortcuts do nothing
Another app probably owns them. Quit Magnet or any similar app and reopen Universal Display Magnet, or pick different shortcuts under Window Snapping.
The other Mac doesn't appear
Both Macs need Universal Display Magnet running, Universal Control linked once, and Local Network access allowed. If the Macs still can't see each other, add the other Mac by its address under Macs & Sync.
Universal Control stops working
Choose Reset Universal Control on the Displays or Universal Control page. It restarts Universal Control on both Macs and puts your arrangement back. Activity (⌘6) shows what happened: frequent Bluetooth dropouts usually mean interference near one of the Macs, such as USB 3 hubs, drives and cables, or too much distance between them.
My displays still move after waking
Check that the arrangement was saved: press Apply in Displays and choose Keep. Under Saved arrangements for this setup, make sure Auto-apply is on for it.
How do I update?
Universal Display Magnet checks for new versions once a day. When one is out, Download opens its release page; replace the app in Applications with the new one. You can also choose Universal Display Magnet → Check for Updates….

Questions, answered

Which Macs does it run on?
Any Mac with macOS 14 or later. One download runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel.
Why do my displays keep moving around?
macOS rebuilds the arrangement when displays wake or reconnect, and often gets it wrong, especially with identical monitors or a dock. Universal Display Magnet remembers your arrangement for each set of monitors, tells identical monitors apart by their serial numbers, and puts it back whenever macOS moves things.
Do I need two Macs?
No. Display arrangement, workspaces and window snapping all work on one Mac. With a second Mac linked through Universal Control, you can also arrange both Macs' displays together and keep everything in sync.
What permissions does it ask for?
Device Control and Data Access (called Accessibility on older versions of macOS) to see and move windows, and Local Network to sync with your other Mac. It never asks to record your screen.
Does it work with Magnet installed?
Yes, but two apps can't own the same shortcut. Universal Display Magnet flags any shortcut another app already uses, so you can quit the other app or pick a different shortcut.
Does it work without a built-in display?
Yes. Mac Studio, Mac mini and MacBooks in clamshell mode are fully supported.
Does anything leave my Mac?
Only two things: sync with your own Macs, directly and encrypted, and a daily check for new versions on GitHub, which you can turn off in Settings.

Still stuck? Tell us

Open an issue on GitHub with your macOS version, your Mac models and what happened. Every report helps.

Open an issueDownload the app