How can I rotate the displays connected to my DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Graphics Adapter in macOS?

Last Update: September 8th, 2023
Article ID: 2135288

Depending on what kind of processor your Mac uses, there's a different method to rotate the displays connected to a DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Graphics Adapter.

For Apple silicon-based Macs (M1, M1 Pro, M2, etc.)

Starting in macOS 12 (Monterey), DisplayLink-connected displays can be rotated using the DisplayLink Manager application.  Display rotation is supported by DisplayLink Manager 1.6 Beta and up.

  1. Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in the macOS Menu bar to expand the DisplayLink Manager
    DisplayLink Manager macOS
  2. Identify the display you wish to rotate
    • If you're unsure which which display name corresponds with each physical monitor, you can identify the display by moving your cursor over the display's name in the DisplayLink Manager. A red border will be shown on the display when the cursor is over top of the corresponding display's name. 
  3. Click the pop-up menu next to the display you wish to rotate to choose your preferred display rotation value
    DisplayLink Manager macOS with rotation options

For Intel-based Macs

Starting in macOS 11 Big Sur, DisplayLink-connected displays can be rotated using macOS's built-in Display menu.

For macOS 13 (Ventura)

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the macOS menu bar at the top of your display
  2. From the Apple menu, click on “System Settings”
    macOS Apple Menu with System Settings highlighted
  3. In the sidebar of the “System Settings” window, click “Displays” (you may need to scroll down to see this)
  4. Click to select the display you wish to rotate
  5. Click the pop-up menu next to “Rotation” to choose your preferred display rotation value
    macOS 13 System Settings Display section with rotation highlighted

  6. In the dialog box that appears, select “Confirm” to proceed
    macOS 13 Display Rotation Confirmation pop-up

For macOS 11 (Big Sur) and macOS 12 (Monterey)

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the macOS menu bar at the top of your display
  2. From the Apple menu, click on “System Preferences”
    macOS 12 Apple Menu with System Preferences highlighted
  3. In the “System Preferences” window, click “Displays”
  4. From the "Displays" window, select “Display Settings...”
    macOS 12 System Preferences Display section with Display Settings highlighted
  5. Click to select the display you wish to rotate
  6. Click the “Rotate” or “Rotation” pop-up menu to choose your preferred display rotation value
    macOS 12 Display Settings with Rotation box highlighted
  7. If you're prompted with an additional dialog box, select “Confirm" to proceed   
    macOS 12 Display Settings rotation confirmation window