How can I switch between displays at two desks using one Mac?

When the display’s menu-header switch controls its connection, hold Shift while switching a display on to reconnect it and disconnect the other eligible displays. This lets you keep the desktop on the display at the desk you are using.

Open BetterDisplay’s menu and use the on/off switch in that display’s header. Shift-switching it off instead reconnects the other eligible displays before disconnecting the selected one. The operation can affect more than a pair of monitors. It includes other eligible physical displays, the built-in display and Sidecar displays. BetterDisplay virtual screens and other system-virtual displays are excluded.

Check Display menu on/off switch behavior in the display’s Additional Settings… if you configured the header for a different action, such as DDC backlight or power. The Shift connection behavior described here requires the connection action and supported connection management, including its Pro requirements and safeguards.

For a repeatable keyboard command, create a macOS Shortcut with explicit connect/disconnect actions: connect the destination, then disconnect the display you are leaving. Keep another usable display connected while testing.

Disconnecting a screen removes it from the desktop layout, but exact window placement and restoration are managed by macOS and individual apps. Test your usual windows and desk transitions before relying on a particular arrangement. See Display Connections for compatibility and recovery behavior.

To build three repeatable connection presets while keeping an open MacBook's recovery screen available, follow Switch between laptop-only, home-desk, and office-desk setups.