The Screen Mirroring Shortcut
In macOS, the menu bar is often populated with icons that anticipate your workflow. If you frequently connect your MacBook to external monitors, projectors, or use an iPad via Sidecar, Apple allows you to display a dedicated “Displays” icon (which looks like a small monitor) directly in the menu bar. Clicking this icon provides instant access to screen mirroring options, display arrangements, and resolution settings.
However, if you own an iMac or a MacBook that you never connect to an external screen, this icon is entirely redundant. Similarly, if your display setup is static (i.e., your external monitors are always plugged in on your desk and you never need to adjust their settings), the Displays icon simply takes up valuable space in your menu bar. To maintain a clean and uncluttered interface, you should remove this unnecessary shortcut.
How to Hide the Displays Icon
You can remove the Displays status indicator via your System Settings.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings… (or System Preferences).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Control Center.
- Look at the right-hand pane under the Control Center Modules section.
- Locate the entry for Displays.
- Next to Displays, you will see a dropdown menu (it may say “Always Show in Menu Bar” or “Show When Active”).
- Click the dropdown menu and change it to Don’t Show in Menu Bar.
The Displays icon will immediately vanish from your menu bar. (Note: Your external monitors will continue to function normally; you will just manage them via the main Display settings or the Control Center icon instead.)