Beyond Display · FAQ
Beyond Display questions and answers.
Learn how to install Beyond Display on two Macs, choose the primary Mac and display direction, connect without a shared Apple ID or internet access, and end the extended display session.
What Beyond Display does
Frequently asked questions
What is Beyond Display?
Beyond Display is a macOS utility that lets another Mac on the same network become a temporary extended display for your current Mac. It is intended to give you more desktop space without adding a separate monitor.
What does Beyond Display do?
It adds the second Mac as extra workspace. You can keep your main work on the primary Mac and place documents, messages, reference material, tutorial videos, dashboards, or monitoring views on the other Mac.
Does Beyond Display mirror the same image or extend the desktop?
Beyond Display is designed to extend the desktop. The second Mac provides additional workspace rather than simply duplicating the primary screen.
What do I need to use Beyond Display?
You need two Mac computers running macOS 13 Ventura or later. One Mac remains your primary computer, while the other is used as the extended display. Connect them over the same Wi-Fi network, the same Ethernet network, or a direct Thunderbolt connection using Thunderbolt Bridge.
Do I install Beyond Display on both Macs?
Yes. Install the same Beyond Display app on both Macs. You do not need separate sender and receiver apps.
Which Mac is the primary Mac?
The Mac where you start the extended display session becomes the primary Mac. The other Mac becomes its second monitor and provides additional desktop space.
How do I choose where the second Mac is positioned?
Choose the display arrangement direction when you start the extended display session. This determines where the second Mac is positioned relative to the primary Mac.
Do both Macs need to use the same Apple ID?
No. The two Macs do not need to use the same Apple ID. They only need a supported local connection and macOS 13 Ventura or later.
Does Beyond Display need an internet connection?
No internet connection is required. Beyond Display only needs a local connection between the two Macs: the same Wi-Fi network, the same Ethernet network, or a direct Thunderbolt connection.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt?
The main difference is connection speed. In normal use, the difference is usually not noticeable, so you can choose the connection that is most convenient for your setup.
Can I use an iMac as a display for another Mac?
Yes. Beyond Display can use an iMac as the second Mac's extended display, as long as both Macs are running macOS 13 Ventura or later and can connect over the same Wi-Fi network, the same Ethernet network, or a direct Thunderbolt connection. It is designed to extend your desktop onto the iMac, not just mirror the same screen.
Does Beyond Display require a Windows PC or an iPad?
No. The current product is designed for a Mac-to-Mac setup. Support for other platforms or devices is not part of the current release description.
When is Beyond Display useful?
It is useful when you only need a second screen temporarily—for example, while reading documentation, following a tutorial, joining a meeting, checking messages, testing software, or monitoring another workspace.
How do I stop using the second Mac as an extended display?
Use the Beyond Display menu to close the extended display connection. The second Mac then returns to normal, independent use.
Where can I download Beyond Display?
Beyond Display 0.9 is available from the official download page as a DMG disk image. It requires macOS 13 Ventura or later on both Macs.