MacBook mirrores my iMac
I bought a MacBook Air. when I set it up it automatically connected to, and mirrors, my iMac. I don't want that to happen. can I change that and set it up as its own device?
I bought a MacBook Air. when I set it up it automatically connected to, and mirrors, my iMac. I don't want that to happen. can I change that and set it up as its own device?
I’m not entirely certain what you’re reporting is being mirrored; the storage, or a display.
Storage mirroring:
Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
See: Turn off Desktop and Documents
Display options:
Universal Control: Use a single keyboard and mouse between Mac and iPad - Apple Support
Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support
Thanks. What happened is that after I set up my MacBook from new, it was a direct reflection of my iMac. Home screen, apps, everything - it was just like sitting at my iMac. I deleted a few items from my home screen on the MacBook, and they also deleted from my iMac. I want my MacBook to be its own identity, and to have nothing to do with my iMac (unless I ask it to of course, like Airdrop etc.)
Okay, so this is storage and not display mirroring.
You have enabled what used to be called iCloud desktop.
That was the first guess, listed above. Turn that off.
Follow the linked procedure above to disable (and this with your existing contents), or you can wipe the Mac and start over without enabling that and without restoring a backup to become a completely distinct Mac sharing the same Apple ID.
There is a third option here, as macOS is fully multi-user. You can have a separate login for a different profile, and that login can be managed and operated completely separately, either with the same Apple ID and no iCloud desktop (for instance), or with a different Apple ID and no sharing (for instance). Multiple logins works great, so long as you have the storage for it.
Thank you MrHoffman! Much appreciated👍
MacBook mirrores my iMac