How to connect two or more external displays to Apple Silicon M1 Macs

Apple's line of MacBooks, which use the company's Silicon M1 processor, can't connect more than one external monitor natively, which is a massive limitation over the previous Intel-based generation of Mac laptops, which could run two displays when on USB-C or Thunderbolt were connected 3 docking station or hub.

(M1 Pro and M1 Max support multiple external displays.)

However, there are ways around this M1 limitation, allowing you to power two external displays from an M1 MacBook, which we'll outline here. There is a software driver and hardware adapter workaround, as well as a hub or adapter workaround.

There are some risks associated with the software workaround because you need to install third-party drivers and they may later become unsupported by future updates of macOS. And you probably have to buy at least one adapter, where previously a dock plus display cable per external screen would have been enough.

The hardware solution includes a dual HDMI adapter that needs to be tweaked a bit in the system settings during setup.

If you've been waiting for Apple's latest 14-inch or 16-inch M1 Pro M1 Max MacBook Pro models, you're in luck as these laptops support multiple external displays. Laptops with the M1 Pro can be connected to up to two external displays with a resolution of up to 6K at 60Hz, while MacBooks with the M1 Max can be connected to three external displays with a resolution of up to 6K and one external display with a resolution of up to 4K at 60 Hz can be connected.

M1 owners, save up for a new MacBook Pro or read on.

External displays: The big problem of M1 Macs

Apple's Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13-inch were the first Macs with the M1 CPU developed by Apple. They've received rave reviews for their speed improvements over Intel-based laptops, including here at Macworld.

Check out our comparison of the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1) to MacBook Pro (Intel) and MacBook Air (M1 Silicon) to MacBook Air (Intel). We also looked at the differences between Mac mini (M1) and Mac mini (Intel).

However, if your MacBook setup involves running more than one external display, you've got a big problem. Apple's M1 chip just won't accommodate it - at least natively.

While the M1 MacBooks only support one monitor natively, the M1 Mac Mini natively supports up to two external monitors - one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. But the M1 models of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro only support one external display.

Apple has apparently promised to fix the issue in a future macOS update, but the arrival of the later M1 Pro and M1 Max suggests M1 owners could be a long wait. We have this guide to monitors for M1 Macs and what you need to know before you buy.

Workaround #1: Install the DisplayLink software drivers

Docking station maker Plugable proposes using a combination of display technologies to circumvent the M1 MacBook's single-monitor limitation. This should work with most third-party docks, although manufacturers don't recommend it.

Plugable's multi-display docks use a combination of native USB-C Alternate Mode (native "Alt Mode" video output) and DisplayLink technology. This combination serves as a workaround for the M1 platform, which only supports a single external display over USB-C.

Note that DisplayLink requires a third-party driver to be installed on the Mac. There are different versions of the DisplayLink driver, and some bring their own tradeoffs to the party.

And this solution still requires an additional hardware adapter.

1. First, download the latest Mac DisplayLink driver.

DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App v. 1.1.0 is compatible with macOS Catalina 10.15 and macOS 11 Big Sur. It can be managed from the DisplayLink icon in the Apple menu bar.

Installation is straightforward, but note that this version does not support laptop closed display/clamshell mode.

Other limitations include incompatibility with display rotation.

There is an option in the DisplayLink manager to "Launch at startup" or you can drag the DisplayLink manager onto your login items in Users & Groups.

Note that while M1 MacBooks can run in clamshell mode (i.e., with the lid closed) with DisplayLink-connected monitors, Intel-based MacBooks cannot, and the displays will turn off when the laptop lid is closed when DisplayLink is in use. This doesn't matter since Intel MacBooks can run two displays without DisplayLink, although they require DisplayLink to add three or more monitors.

2. Then connect the MacBook to a dock, e.g. B. the Plugable UD-ULTC4K Triple Display 4K Docking Station or the Caldigit TS3 Plus Dock. Learn about the best Thunderbolt 3 docking stations for more details, or connect through a simpler USB-C hub.

3. For the first screen, you can connect via the dock's DisplayPort or HDMI connector, and this is handled natively by the M1 MacBook.

You could also connect the first external display using a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter.

The HDMI or DisplayPort output uses Alternate Mode (Alt Mode), and since it's basically a pipeline straight to the system's native GPU, it behaves just like using a USB-C to HDMI -Dongle to your laptop. This does not require user driver installation.

4. The M1 MacBook cannot handle additional displays natively.

You must connect the second or third display to one or more USB-A ports on your dock or hub using an adapter such as the StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI/DVI Adapter. This costs £80 or US$80 so needs to be taken into account when pricing an M1 MacBook purchase if you need multiple monitors.

Another option is Plugable's USB Dual 4K Display Adapter.

This adapter converts an available USB-A 3.0 port into a DVI-I or VGA port (DVI-to-VGA adapter included) and HDMI output. Each display can simultaneously support the maximum resolution of 2048 x 1152 at 60 Hz.

Make sure you're using an active HDMI DisplayLink adapter that supports 4K@60Hz, as some are limited to 4K@30Hz.

DisplayLink uses an installed driver and the system CPU and GPU to convert graphics data on the system into USB data packets. This USB data is then sent as data packets over the USB cable and converted back into video information and output to the monitors via the DisplayLink chip in the docking station.

Workaround #2: Use a dedicated dual HDMI adapter

Accessory maker Hyper sells two hardware solutions that allow you to add more than one display to an M1 Mac.

the Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI Adapter for M1 MacBook and Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub can be expanded to two HDMI displays: one with 4K 60Hz via HDMI and DP Alt mode and one with 4K 30Hz via HDMI and Silicon Motion's InstantView technology.

Hyper says these work "without having to download cumbersome drivers," but software installation is required and you'll need to allow InstantView access to your privacy settings in System Preferences. You connect the hub or adapter to your M1 MacBook and find the HyperDisplay app appearing in the sidebar of a Finder folder. Double-click the macOS InstantView icon and follow the System Preferences instructions. Once this is complete, your MacBook will automatically recognize the adapter from now on.

The Dual 4K HDMI 3-in-1 USB-C Adapter ($129.99) features two HDMI ports and connects to your M1 Mac via its built-in USB-C cable. Another USB-C PD port allows you to charge the connected laptop at up to 100W - handy since the adapter itself occupies one of the two Thunderbolt ports on your M1 laptop.

A more full-fledged solution is the Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub ($199.99), which has 10 ports, including the two HDMI ports and 100W PC port of the cheaper adapter, plus Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio combo jack, SD and MicroSD UHS-I card readers, and two USB-A (5Gbps) ports. It is also connected to the laptop via an integrated USB-C cable. Of the two, this multi-port hub is more affordable because you can use it as a dock when connected to a decent USB-C PD wall charger.

Buy direct from Hyper. Shipping to the UK currently costs a hefty $66. So keep that in mind if you are not a US resident.

DisplayLink route effective but not supported

Note that neither Plugable nor Caldigit officially support such a DisplayLink setup for Macs. The solution works, but they warn that this may not get stuck in future versions of macOS.

When there is a new operating system update, the drivers may need to be updated every time.

Plugable does not recommend the workaround for gaming, video editing, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and protected content (HDCP) playback. For these workloads, users will want the full throughput of a native "bare metal" GPU connection - such as that provided by the DisplayPort or HDMI connector on the dock in alt mode.

Caldigit actively discourages using DisplayLink as it is unreliable and there would be no synergy between the driver and the dock. Because a third-party driver is required, users are at the mercy of Apple and the third-party developer to support later versions.

However, this combination of display technologies allows M1 MacBooks to drive more than one external monitor and the M1 Mac mini to drive more than two.

The only risk is that it could stop working at any time, although it wouldn't harm your system if it did.

So it's a workaround with a potentially limited amount of time, but the odds are that compatibility would eventually be restored if the worst happened and you'd get your multi-monitor setup back.

The Hyperdrive dual 4K HDMI hardware solution appears to be the more expensive but more stable workaround of the two.

Read our M1 MacBook Air review.

If you want to use a second display with your Mac and you don't have your Mac's screen on, check out our How to turn off a Mac's screen feature.

By: How to connect two or more external displays to Apple Silicon M1 Macs