Mac only
Turn off your external display. Without unplugging a single cable.
Interruptor lives in your Mac menu bar. One click or shortcut turns off the external display and windows return to your Mac. Apple Silicon only.
curl -fsSL https://interruptor.jfernando.dev/install.sh | bashDetails
Made for one thing.
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No cable pulling
The cut happens in software. The display doesn't even notice, it just stops receiving image from the Mac.
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One switch per screen
Multiple external displays? Each one gets its own switch inside the panel.
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Your own shortcut
Record any key combination to turn everything off without leaving the keyboard.
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Native and light
Built in Swift for Apple Silicon. No Electron, no wasted memory.
FAQ
Everything you were going to ask
What happens to my windows?
They automatically move back to the Mac's main display while the external monitor is off. Turn it back on and macOS sends them back to where they were.
Does it work with more than one external display?
Yes. Each screen shows up in the panel with its own switch, and the shortcut toggles all of them at once.
Does the monitor actually turn off?
No. Interruptor stops the Mac from sending image to that screen, a soft disconnect. The monitor stays on, ready to be reconnected whenever you want.
Is it safe?
The app uses a private macOS API, SkyLight, to control displays. The code is open and can be audited, but that API may change in system updates.
What are the requirements?
A Mac with Apple Silicon running macOS 14 or later, and at least one external display connected.
How do I install?
Paste the command above in Terminal and press Enter.
Is it free?
Yes, forever. MIT license.
Lights out. Take the switch
Paste the command in Terminal and you're set.