How to Keep Mac Windows in Place When Connecting a Monitor

When you connect or disconnect a monitor on your Mac, your windows often end up in the wrong positions. For example, a window that was centered on your monitor might be partly off-screen on your MacBook’s display when you disconnect it, and when you connect the monitor again, your windows might appear at different sizes and positions than they were before.

macOS tries to remember where your windows should be on each display, but ScreenPlace can put all of them back into place for you automatically.

Save a Layout for Each Display Configuration

ScreenPlace can save window sizes and positions for each display configuration you use, such as MacBook and monitor, or MacBook only. For example, you can have Safari and Notes windows side by side on your monitor, and have each of them fill the whole screen when you are using only your MacBook.

Just place your windows where you want them in each display configuration and save their current size and position using ScreenPlace’s badge, or configure precise X, Y, width, and height values in ScreenPlace. You can also add all of your open windows at once.

Apply with the Badge

Once the sizes and positions of the windows are configured in ScreenPlace for each of your display configurations, you can always use the badge to snap any window back into place with a single click after connecting or disconnecting a monitor.

Apply Automatically

Just enable the Change Display Setup option in the auto-apply settings and turn on auto-apply for each window when adding it, and ScreenPlace will take it from there - every time you connect or disconnect a monitor, ScreenPlace will apply the right layout for that display configuration.

Auto-apply and multi-display support require ScreenPlace Ultra, which also comes with global shortcuts, reusable templates, and more - it’s a one-time purchase with no subscription.