New Mac cleaner app aims to resolve issues with DisplayLink drivers
The DisplayLink software can be used to operate USB displays on a Mac. But sometimes it is necessary to remove them again. Until now, this has not been easy.
DisplayLink-Cleaner: An app that deletes drivers.
(Image: Screenshot DisplayLink-Cleaner)
If you want to operate more screens on your Mac than Apple intended, you can use DisplayLink technology: Together with a compatible adapter, hub or dock, additional screens can also be connected via USB, for example to an Apple Silicon Mac with M1 SoC. For this to work, however, special software in the form of drivers is required, which intervene relatively deeply in the system. Until now, however, removing them was not easy and some manufacturers of these adapters, hubs or docks did not even supply an uninstaller. Synaptics, the manufacturer behind DisplayLink, now wants to simplify this and has its own cleaning software on offer.
First check, then delete
The so-called DisplayLink Cleaner first checks which components of the DisplayLink drivers are on the Mac. You can then select what you want to delete. This can be either just the management software (DisplayLink Manager) including components and data or this plus the login screen extension. Finally, it is also possible to reset the screen layout in order to return to the orientation before the DisplayLink installation.
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After a short uninstallation process, the Mac should work as it did before the DisplayLink drivers and DisplayLink Manager were installed. However, if you change your mind, you will have to reinstall the driver package that came with the accessory. Alternatively, you can go to the Synaptics website and download the software there. This also has the advantage that it is always the latest version.
DisplayLink Manager with many functions
The DisplayLink Manager offers more than just connecting a USB monitor. It comes with a routine for unlocking the screen using Apple Watch, can adjust its colors with the help of the f.lux tool (e.g. remove blue components for better sleep) and allows operation in clamshell mode.
DisplayLink can currently control screens with up to 4K on the Mac. The software runs under macOS 12, 13 and 14.
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