DisplayLink Manager App for macOS Introduction, Installation & Scope

1. Introduction: what is the DisplayLink macOS app?
2. How to stop using the DisplayLink Manager App and go back to the legacy driver
3. Do I need to uninstall the classic driver (DisplayLink Software 5.x.x) before trying the DisplayLink Manager App?
4. How to use the new DisplayLink macOS App
5. macOS Monterey: enable notifications when DisplayLink screens are active
6. Other functions of the DisplayLink Manager
7. Current DisplayLink Manager app scope and limitations

1. Introduction: what is the DisplayLink Manager app for macOS?


The DisplayLink macOS app or DisplayLink Manager app is a new way of enabling DisplayLink technology on macOS using a much simpler architecture. Today, the app is available as a standalone installer. In the future, the goal is to also distribute the app through the mac App Store to make deployment even simpler.
As the DisplayLink Manager app does not rely on macOS kernel extensions, it is not only easier to install, but it will also lead to increased stability/reliability, improved behaviour across OS upgrades, and seamless updates through the App Store.
DisplayLink Manager app will introduce new elements/features like a graphical user interface shown in section 4.4.
The app is available on our website.

2. How to stop using the DisplayLink Manager App and go back to the legacy driver


2.1. If the login screen extension is not installed (see 5.1)


Uninstall the DisplayLink Manager app first by quitting the app via “Quit” button in DisplayLink Manager App user interface.
Then move the app from Applications folder to Trash Bin, like with any other app.
Finally, install the DisplayLink Software 5.x.x.

2.2. If the login screen extension is installed (see 5.1)


Navigate in Finder to Applications and run “DisplayLink Software Uninstaller”. This will uninstall both the DisplayLink Manager and the login screen extension.


3. Do I need to uninstall the legacy driver (DisplayLink Software 5.x.x) before trying the DisplayLink Manager App?


Yes. The best way to try the new DisplayLink Manager app is to first uninstall current DisplayLink Software and then install DisplayLink Manager app. Otherwise application will notify you that it is unable to work, which could be seen via system notification and in application. 





4. How to use the new DisplayLink macOS App?


We recommend proceeding with following steps to install and use the new DisplayLink macOS App. They are to be followed once after installing the app.
4.1. First, uninstall the classic DisplayLink driver if you have it on your computer.
4.2. Download the DisplayLink macOS app and install it from the ZIP file.
4.3. Navigate in Finder to Applications and then open DisplayLink Manager.



4.4. Click on the DisplayLink Manager app icon from the notification area to open the app window. This confirms the software is installed and running properly.



4.5. Select “Launch automatically after logging-in” for the software to start automatically every time you log-in.
Note: this is not compulsory but recommended to save you from repeating step 4.3 each time you login.



4.6. Now connect the peripheral with DisplayLink technology. Then navigate to your System Preferences to open Security & Privacy and select Screen Recording:

4.7. Enable “Screen Recording” to allow the DisplayLink Manager app to capture pixels and send them to your USB peripheral. Then tick the “Screen Recording” permission for DisplayLink Manager.



NOTE: Starting macOS Catalina 10.15 the OS requires the user to permit "Screen Recording" in order for DisplayLink devices to work properly. The message is generated by the OS and the screen is not actually being recorded by DisplayLink. Approving it enables the DisplayLink driver to access the pixels it needs to render a mirrored or extended screen and send the pixels over USB from your computer to the DisplayLink display. DisplayLink Manager does not store or record any screen content.If you enabled notifications from DisplayLink Manager, it will remind you to allow Screen Recording if it detects this permission is missing.


The notification will also show in the DisplayLink Manager window.



4.8  Because the new permission will only be active the next time you start the application, macOS will invite you to “Quit & Reopen”. In Catalina 10.15.x please select "Quit Now". Please accept.


4.9  Now it has adequate permissions, re-open DisplayLink Manager from Applications in the Finder. On macOS Big Sur application will restart automatically.
4.10  Your displays are now working properly.

5. macOS Monterey: enable notifications when DisplayLink screens are active


On macOS Monterey if you would like to receive notifications from applications (the ones you granted notification permissions to), when DisplayLink screens are active, please select the checkbox "Allow notification: When mirroring or sharing the display" in the "Notifications & Focus" panel in System Preferences:

In 1.6.0 version of DisplayLink Manager application will display this message in the Home tab when working with macOS Monterey. Using "Open Notification & Focus" hyperlink you will be taken directly to "Notification & Focus" setting in "System Preferences".

6. Other functions of the DisplayLink Manager

6.1 Login screen extension

Login screen extension enables the external screens to be available on login screen prior to the app loading after logging into your account.

1. To use the Login screen extension please download it from the link available on the front page of the DisplayLink Manager.


2. Install the extension.3. Once the installation is complete the extension will show as ‘Installed’ in the DisplayLink Manager.


6.2 Support

There is now a support page in the DisplayLink Manager. It includes links to our DisplayLink FAQs, Knowledge Base and DisplayLink Forum. The last link allows the user to raise a support ticket directly from the DisplayLink Manager through starting a new email thread with our support.


6.3 Feedback


7. Current DisplayLink Manager app scope and limitations

The DisplayLink Manager app is constantly improving. It currently still has the following limitations we are currently working on, some of them with the OS vendor.

  • macOS supports a maximum of 4 virtual displays whatever their technology. Virtual displays are defined as displays not directly connected to the graphics card (GPU) (=not HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C),
  • Rotation on Apple M1 requires DisplayLink Manager 1.6+ with macOS 12+.

Feedback and Knowledge Base