Move a full screen app to second monitor

Question

In Mac OS X El Capitan, is there a shortcut to move full screen apps between monitors?

My current method is first bringing the app out of full screen mode, then drag it to the second monitor and then maximize it again.

I wish there was a shortcut to just move it from monitor 1 to monitor 2.

edit: I'm not talking about moving between workspaces on a single monitor... I am talking about 2 monitors.

Related: Does MacOS have a keyboard shortcut for moving an individual window to another monitor?, What Window Management Options exist for OS X? — V2Blast, Oct 27 '21 at 19:24

score 33 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 12 '18 at 09:32

You can use Mission Control (formerly known as Exposé) to move full screen apps across monitors. Mission Control initially shows lists of workspaces across the top of all monitors, and when you move the mouse cursor up into that area they change into thumbnails. If you drag one of the thumbnails from one monitor to another, the workspace corresponding to that thumbnail moves to that monitor. A thumbnail for a primary desktop can be rearranged within its own monitor, but it can't be dragged to another monitor.

To clarify what I mean by primary desktop, each monitor initially has a workspace without full screen applications, and additional workspaces for full screen applications (which, in El Capitan, can contain one or two applications apiece). What I'm calling a primary desktop is that initial workspace. The + in the upper right corner of each monitor while Mission Control is active can create a new desktop, and a desktop created that way can be moved across monitors, but the desktop which was not created that way remains on its own monitor.

Keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures are available for Mission Control.

To clarify, you say that desktops cannot be moved between monitors. Isn't each full-screen app given its own desktop, though? — tubedogg, Sep 21 '16 at 15:48
By desktop I mean a workspace which does not consist of one or more full screen apps. — Eirik Fuller, Sep 21 '16 at 15:54

score 8 · Answer 2 · edited Dec 20 '21 at 19:39

8

In case you wanted to do so with your keyboard only, expanding @Fralec's answer:

I use Spectacle (as of 2021, no longer being maintained) as well, and the following sequence does the job:

Cmd+Alt+F - Exit from full screen on current monitor
Shift+Cmd+Alt+→/← - Move to next screen
Cmd+Alt+F - Enter full screen on the next monitor

Hope that does the trick for you :)

edited Dec 20 '21 at 19:39

userJT

246

answered May 10 '17 at 08:09

Daniel Trugman

181

1

Rectangle is actively maintained and has Spectacle's functionality https://rectangleapp.com/ – Max Ghenis Jan 31 '22 at 03:39
Here is an explanation of why those three shortcuts can't be combined automatically: https://github.com/rxhanson/Rectangle/issues/16 – Domi W Feb 16 '22 at 06:53
3

It's ridiculous how bad the window management in MacOS is. Ubuntu has done it better for years, and its free. Windows does it better. Apple, with its trillion-dollar valuation, still can't seem to figure it out and its customers have to rely on third-party apps for basic functionality. – Matt West Apr 18 '22 at 03:37

score 4 · Answer 3 · edited Jul 05 '20 at 17:41

4

You can use BetterTouchTool to configure a keyboard command triggering a two-step action, which first moves your application to the next monitor, and then makes it fullscreen.

To switch the fullscreen app back to the first screen, just press the keyboard command twice and it will move over.

edited Jul 05 '20 at 17:41

Makkabi

103

answered Sep 21 '16 at 14:08

P A N

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I was trying to get this set up, however, it seems that my "move window to next monitor" doesn't work. Tried "center window on next monitor" "maximize window on next monitor" but to no avail. Any ideas? – jan Oct 22 '17 at 05:01
Maybe "move window to next monitor" works only if the window is minimized first? @jan – Ambareesh Oct 12 '22 at 18:22

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 17 '17 at 21:44

2

Many Tricks Moom seems to have this functionality also. I just found out about that $10 app today (I've been using the mentioned Spectacle for the task, however, Moom also has a feature to re-arrange windows to chosen locations, etc.)

answered Aug 17 '17 at 21:44

Ville

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score 1 · Answer 5 · edited Oct 27 '21 at 19:23

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I use a free app called Spectacle to manage my windows.

If you hold Shift+Alt+⌘+→ or ←, you can easily move your window from one monitor to another.

edited Oct 27 '21 at 19:23

V2Blast

116
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answered Sep 21 '16 at 14:12

Alec von Barnekow

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does not work in full screen mode. works when a window is not in full screen mode.. – Knows Not Much Sep 21 '16 at 14:29
Spectacle is no longer maintained, but Rectangle is and has similar functionality https://rectangleapp.com/ – Max Ghenis Jan 31 '22 at 03:39
Also see here for an explanation why it is not possible: https://github.com/rxhanson/Rectangle/issues/16 – Domi W Feb 16 '22 at 06:53

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited Feb 05 '23 at 14:27

1

Its simple 3 steps:

Let's get the title first

Open the Finder, select Window then the complete title Move to UE......

Now Create a Shortcut in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts

Add a shortcut as I have added in the image for All Applications and the shortcut keys you prefer.

You are done. Use it, add more

edited Feb 05 '23 at 14:27

agarza

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answered Feb 05 '23 at 11:39

Beatle Refractor

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OP said "full screen" app. This option is greyed out in full screen – Sam Apr 22 '23 at 01:51

Move a full screen app to second monitor

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