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You can daisy chain Apple Studio Displays, but only if you connect them to a Mac that supports multiple external displays through Thunderbolt.
This means you can link one Studio Display to another using a Thunderbolt cable, creating a clean, single-cable setup for your desk.
However, there are some important limitations you need to know before you start chaining these beautiful monitors together.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how daisy chaining works with Apple Studio Display, which Macs support it, and what you can’t do with this setup.
Let’s get into it.
How Daisy Chaining Works with Apple Studio Display
Daisy chaining Apple Studio Display is possible because each monitor has a Thunderbolt 3 port for input and a second Thunderbolt 3 port for output.
This output port is the key to linking multiple displays together in a series.
When you connect the first Studio Display to your Mac, you then run a Thunderbolt cable from that display’s output port to the input port on the second Studio Display.
The second display receives both video signal and power from the first one, so no extra power adapter is needed for the second monitor.
This daisy chain setup works seamlessly, and the second Studio Display still delivers full resolution and brightness.
1. You Need a Mac That Supports Multiple Displays
The biggest catch when you daisy chain Apple Studio Display is that your Mac must natively support connecting two or more external monitors.
For example, the MacBook Air with an M1 chip supports only one external display, so you cannot daisy chain Studio Displays with that machine.
But the MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, or M2 Max supports multiple displays, so daisy chaining works perfectly.
The Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro also support multiple displays, making them ideal candidates for this setup.
2. Both Displays Must Be Apple Studio Displays
While you can daisy chain Apple Studio Display units with each other, this only works if both monitors are the same model.
You cannot mix a Studio Display with a third-party Thunderbolt monitor in the same chain because the power and data protocols won’t sync correctly.
Even connecting a Pro Display XDR to a Studio Display won’t work in a daisy chain, as Apple hasn’t enabled that configuration.
So keep it simple: if you want to daisy chain, you need two or more Apple Studio Displays and nothing else.
3. You’re Limited to Two Displays in the Chain
Another limitation is that you can typically only daisy chain Apple Studio Display in a chain of two, not more.
While Thunderbolt technically supports up to six devices in a chain, Apple’s display firmware restricts the Studio Display to just one downstream connection.
This means you can connect the second Studio Display to the first one, but you can’t add a third Studio Display to that second one.
In practice, most users find that two Studio Displays are more than enough screen real estate for any workflow.
Which Macs Can Daisy Chain Apple Studio Display?
If you’re considering this setup, the first step is confirming your Mac’s external display support.
Daisy chaining Apple Studio Display works on Macs with Apple Silicon chips that have more than the base version.
Here’s a quick breakdown of which Macs can handle it and which ones can’t.
1. Macs That Absolutely Support It
The MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, and M2 Max chips fully support daisy chaining two Studio Displays.
The Mac Studio with M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Max, and M2 Ultra handles it easily, too.
The Mac Pro with M2 Ultra also supports this setup without any issues.
And the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021 and newer are all good to go for daisy chaining.
2. Macs That Won’t Work
The base MacBook Air with M1 or M2 only supports one external display, so you can’t daisy chain Studio Displays with those.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 has the same single-display limitation.
And Intel-based Macs are hit or miss, as older Thunderbolt 3 controllers may not pass the display signal correctly.
If you’re unsure about your specific Mac, check Apple’s support page for external display specifications before you buy a second Studio Display.
What You Can’t Do When You Daisy Chain Apple Studio Display
Even when everything works, there are a few things you should know about daisy chaining limitations.
1. No Unifying Brightness or Volume Controls
When you daisy chain Apple Studio Display, each monitor operates as an independent display.
That means changing brightness on the first display won’t automatically change it on the second one.
You’ll need to adjust brightness, volume, and camera settings separately on each Studio Display.
It’s a small annoyance, but once you set your preferred levels, you rarely need to touch them again.
2. No Extended Desktop Across the Chain for Video Output
Some might think daisy chaining gives you a single ultra-wide canvas for video playback, but that’s not the case.
Each Studio Display acts as a separate monitor, so you’ll get an extended desktop with separate windows and spaces.
You can’t stretch one video or one full-screen app across both displays in a seamless way.
For most productivity tasks, having two independent screens is actually more useful than one giant display.
3. No Power Delivery to a Laptop Through the Second Display
The first Studio Display in the chain provides 96W of power to your Mac through the main Thunderbolt cable.
But the second Studio Display won’t charge your laptop, as it’s only receiving power from the first display, not passing it upstream.
So if you connect your MacBook to the second display instead of the first one, you won’t get any charging.
Always connect your Mac directly to the first Studio Display in the chain for both video and power.
How to Set Up Your Daisy Chain Correctly
Getting this right is simple, but a few steps can save you from frustration later.
1. Use the Right Cables
You’ll need a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 cable for both connections in the chain.
A regular USB-C cable won’t carry the display signal at full bandwidth.
Apple includes a Thunderbolt cable with each Studio Display, so you can use that for the second monitor.
2. Connect the First Display to Your Mac
Plug the first Studio Display into your Mac using the included Thunderbolt cable.
Make sure your Mac recognizes it as an external display before you proceed.
3. Connect the Second Display to the First
Take another Thunderbolt cable and plug it into the Thunderbolt output port on the first Studio Display.
Then plug the other end into the Thunderbolt input port on the second Studio Display.
Your Mac should instantly detect both displays, and you can arrange them in System Settings under Displays.
So, Can You Daisy Chain Apple Studio Display?
Yes, you can daisy chain Apple Studio Display, but only under the right conditions.
You need a Mac that supports multiple external displays, and both monitors must be Apple Studio Displays.
You’re also limited to a chain of two displays, and you’ll need to manage settings separately on each monitor.
For creative professionals or anyone who loves a clean desk setup, daisy chaining two Studio Displays is a fantastic way to double your screen space with just one cable running to your Mac.
Just double-check your Mac’s specifications first, and you’ll be enjoying that beautiful Retina 6K display in no time.