# Where NotchStar appears with an external display > NotchStar sits on the built in notched screen when there is one. On a Mac without a notch it uses macOS main display. Here is what to expect. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-on-external-display/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. With an external display, NotchStar stays on the screen that has the notch. On a MacBook with a notch, that is the built in display. The notch does not move to the external monitor, and it does not copy itself onto it. ## How the screen is chosen NotchStar looks for the first screen that reports a notch. If it finds one, it uses that screen. If none of your screens has a notch, it uses the main display that macOS reports, and shows the floating pill there. It checks again whenever the screen setup changes, for example when you plug in or unplug a monitor. ## What this means for you - Laptop with a notch and an external monitor: use the notch on the laptop screen. Move the pointer to the top centre of that screen. - Laptop with the lid closed and only an external display: there is no notch screen, so NotchStar shows the pill on the main display. - A desktop Mac with one or two monitors: the pill appears on the main display. ## If it is in the wrong place Unplug and replug the display, or quit and reopen NotchStar from the star in the menu bar. If the notch still does not open, see [why the notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/). The [Screenshot Tray](https://www.notchstar.com/features/screenshot-tray/) also hangs under the notch on the same screen. Read about [Macs without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notch-app-on-mac-without-notch/) for the pill. ## Quick answers. ### Can I show NotchStar on two displays at once? No. There is one notch window, on one screen. ## Keep reading. - [Does NotchStar work on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notch-app-on-mac-without-notch/): Yes. On a Mac without a notch NotchStar draws a small floating pill at the top centre of the screen and opens from there, with the same tools. - [Notch apps for Macs without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/notch-apps-for-macs-without-a-notch/): Do notch apps work on iMac, Mac mini or older MacBooks? Yes, often as a floating pill. Here is what to expect and how NotchStar handles it. - [Why the NotchStar notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/): If the notch does not open on hover, check the star in the menu bar, the Open notch setting, the screen it is on and whether it is pinned or stuck. - [Screenshot Tray: your screenshots wait under the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/screenshot-tray/): Every screenshot lands in a tray under your Mac notch. Drag it into a chat, an email or a folder, or send several at once. ## More in Getting started. - [How to install NotchStar from the disk image](https://www.notchstar.com/help/install-notchstar-from-dmg/): Download the NotchStar disk image, drag the app to Applications and open it. The star appears in the menu bar and the notch is ready. - [What happens the first time you open NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/first-launch-notchstar/): On first launch NotchStar adds a star to the menu bar, starts the 7 day trial and the notch opens when you move the pointer to it. Here is what you will see. - [How to check that NotchStar is notarized with spctl](https://www.notchstar.com/help/verify-notchstar-download-spctl/): Check the NotchStar download with spctl and a SHA256 checksum. Notarized apps report Notarized Developer ID, so macOS can verify who made it. - [Which macOS version does NotchStar need](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-macos-requirements/): NotchStar needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Here is how to check your version and what happens on older Macs. - [Does NotchStar work on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notch-app-on-mac-without-notch/): Yes. On a Mac without a notch NotchStar draws a small floating pill at the top centre of the screen and opens from there, with the same tools. - [How hover opening works in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-hover-opens-notchstar/): Move the pointer to the notch and NotchStar opens after a short pause of 80 milliseconds. The open panel is 660 by 296 points. Click mode is in Settings.