how to mirror display

Mirror Your Display: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Matthew HarrisDecember 19, 2025

Mirroring your display can be a convenient way to extend your screen real estate, allowing you to work or play across two screens simultaneously. This can significantly boost your productivity and enhance your gaming experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to mirror your display, along with some tips and common methods for different operating systems.

Before we dive into the specifics, let's understand what display mirroring is. It's a feature that allows you to duplicate your computer's display onto another screen, giving you an exact copy of what's on your primary display. This isn't the same as extending your display, which treats the second screen as a separate workspace.

Mirroring on Windows

Windows offers a built-in feature to mirror your display. Here's how you can use it:

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1. Press the Windows key + P to open the Project menu.

2. Select 'Duplicate' or 'Extend' depending on your preference. 'Duplicate' will mirror your display, while 'Extend' will treat the second screen as a separate workspace.

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Using a Third-Party Application

If the built-in feature doesn't work for you, consider using a third-party application like DisplayFusion or UltraMon. These tools offer more customization options and can help you manage multiple monitors more efficiently.

1. Download and install your preferred application.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your second display. The process varies depending on the application, but it usually involves selecting your primary display and choosing the mirroring option.

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Mirroring on macOS

macOS also has a built-in feature to mirror your display. Here's how you can use it:

1. Click on the Apple menu and select 'System Preferences'.

2. Click on 'Displays'.

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3. Select the arrangement tab.

4. Click on the 'Mirror Displays' checkbox. Your displays will now mirror each other.

Using AirPlay

If you're using a Mac, you can also mirror your display to an Apple TV using AirPlay. This is particularly useful if you want to mirror your display to a TV or projector.

1. Click on the AirPlay icon in the menu bar (it looks like a TV screen with a triangle).

2. Select your Apple TV from the list of available devices. Your Mac display will now mirror onto the selected Apple TV.

Mirroring on Linux

Linux doesn't have a built-in feature to mirror displays, but you can use a third-party application like ARandR or xrandr. Here's how to use xrandr:

1. Open a terminal window.

2. Type 'xrandr -q' to list your available displays.

3. To mirror your display, type 'xrandr -s 0' (replace '0' with the number corresponding to your primary display).

Using ARandR

ARandR is a graphical interface for xrandr, making it easier to use.

1. Download and install ARandR.

2. Open ARandR and select your primary display.

3. Click on the 'Mirror' button. Your displays will now mirror each other.

Mirroring your display can significantly enhance your user experience, but it's not always the best solution. If you find that mirroring isn't working for you, consider extending your display instead. This gives you more flexibility and allows you to use your second screen as a separate workspace.

Remember, the key to a productive and enjoyable computing experience is finding the setup that works best for you. Don't be afraid to experiment with different configurations until you find the one that suits your needs.