Unable to move apps back to Mac screen when second monitor is used by another device

Question

Unable to move apps back to Mac screen when second monitor is used by another device

Hello!

I have a macbook pro m1 pro. I have apps that are currently opened on my second monitor that has 2 connected devices to it via HDMI

The issue is that when the 2nd monitor is used by another device, I am unable to move the apps, like Safari oe Email, back unless i changed the hdmi input on the 2nd monitor, move the apps back to my mac screen and then i have to rechange the input on the 2nd screen so i can use it on my other device.

I was under the impression that there is a keyboard shortcut that moves things off screen back to the main screen.

i tried control+option+command+left and it doesn't work.

i tried bring all to front and it doesn't work.

Perhaps what i am asking is not possible?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Unable to move app that to main screen when a second plugged in monitor that is not turn on

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Jul 14, 2025 07:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

72,120 points

Jul 15, 2025 08:37 AM in response to jean-philippe64

There is this command in just about any application's Window menu,

Move to Built-in Retina Display:

You can assign it a keyboard shortcut.

In the image above, you can see that I used Control-Option-Shift-Command-U

but it can be one of your choosing, just be careful not to choose one that is in use.

With that shortcut in place, you can "blindly" move a window to the internal display this way:

Command-Tab to the application in question; press the chosen keyboard shortcut.

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Answer 2

Jul 16, 2025 03:32 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

sweet, thanks a bunch, i'll try that.

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