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abishekTS Author

Level 1

5 points

Desktop Icons not showing on secondary Display

I recently purchased an external display for my MacBook Air (2018) version. The second monitor seems to connect and work fine. However, the folders in my Desktop don't show up in my secondary display. I am not sure if this is a software feature. I would like both my displays to have my Desktop Icons, and for them to appear whenever I open up a new desktop window on either my Mac or the Display...

I'd really appreciate the help guys!

Posted on Jan 16, 2022 10:38 AM

Top-ranking reply

Chris_D13

Community Specialist

Posted on Jan 17, 2022 10:26 AM

Greetings abishekTS,

Thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities! It seems your desktop folders aren't appearing on your external display.

It sounds like the external display is set up to extend the current desktop, allowing you to drag a folder from the main display to the external display.

If you would like to see the desktop on each display, you can set up mirroring as detailed in the article below:

Use one or more external displays with your Mac - Apple Support

"Set up the displays for video mirroring

Video mirroring shows the entire desktop on each display.

Note: You must be connected to a display to see these options.

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays , then click Display Settings.
Select your display, then choose Mirror for Display from the pop-up menu."

Kind regards.

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Desktop Icons not showing on secondary Display

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