Macbook tethered connection?

#1 · 10/02/2026, 06:32

Hey guys, I’m currently using my m2 macbook pro as an external display for my PC. Wireless mode works flawlessly, but I’d like to try a tethered connection.

But my PC doesn’t recognize it properly, and in device manager, I get items with yellow triangle exclamation marks. Updating those drivers didn’t really work.

I was wondering if anybody found a way to get this working? Thanks in advance

#2 · 11/02/2026, 03:12

Hi @jisang,

From our testing, connecting to a Primary PC using a Macbook that’s connected to LAN via a network cable works. How is your Macbook connected to your LAN?

#3 · 11/02/2026, 06:41

Sorry I’m confused, are you suggesting I connect my Macbook directly to my PC using a LAN cable? Because while I could do that, I would lose internet connection on my PC by doing so. My motherboard only has one input LAN port.

To answer your question, I have connected the two through a USB-C cable.

As seen in the screenshot, I get two problem items as Other Devices (top) and as Network Adapters. I’ve tried reinstalling the drivers, various cables and ports, but to no avail…

Uploaded files:

You need to login to have access to uploads.

#4 · 11/02/2026, 06:46

Hi @jisang,

No, I wasn’t suggesting that you should connect the Macbook to the PC with a LAN cable. Instead, I was suggesting that you connect your Macbook to your local network via a LAN cable if you can. Connecting to your Primary PC via USB with the Macbook is not supported. As for the devices with a yellow mark in Device Manager, do they show up only when a spacedesk Viewer is connected to the PC or does it still show even when spacedesk is not active? These devices don’t seem to be related to spacedesk.

#5 · 12/02/2026, 13:52

Quote from spacedesk Renz on 11/02/2026, 06:46

Hi @jisang,

No, I wasn’t suggesting that you should connect the Macbook to the PC with a LAN cable. Instead, I was suggesting that you connect your Macbook to your local network via a LAN cable if you can. Connecting to your Primary PC via USB with the Macbook is not supported. As for the devices with a yellow mark in Device Manager, do they show up only when a spacedesk Viewer is connected to the PC or does it still show even when spacedesk is not active? These devices don’t seem to be related to spacedesk.

I see, I was assuming that that was a fix. I’ll disregard that then.

Then if I connect my Macbook to my local network via LAN, a tethered connection will be possible? I’ll give it a try and report back.

#6 · 13/02/2026, 02:21

Hi @jisang,

It would still be a LAN connection, but it should have considerably better performance compared to connecting via WIFI.