← DeskMemory

Moving windows between Spaces

Why DeskMemory can't move windows to the right Space (virtual desktop) on Apple Silicon, and how to enable it if you're willing to make the trade-off.

Why it doesn't work

Moving a window to another Space programmatically requires a private, undocumented macOS API. On Apple Silicon (unlike Intel), System Integrity Protection (SIP) blocks that API even for apps with full Accessibility access - the call reports success, but the window doesn't actually move.

This isn't a DeskMemory bug - the same limitation affects other window and desktop management tools on macOS. It's a known constraint of Apple Silicon: the private Spaces API is still there, but SIP neutralises it.

What you can do

Partially disable SIP. This is a macOS system security setting, not something an app can turn on by itself - it requires booting into Recovery Mode and running the steps manually.

Before you continue Partially disabling SIP lowers your system's protection against malware and unauthorized changes. Only do this if you understand the trade-off. DeskMemory keeps working normally (remembering and restoring window position/size) without this - the only thing you lose without partially disabling SIP is moving windows between Spaces.

How to enable it (Apple Silicon, macOS 13 and later)

  1. Shut down your Mac completely.
  2. Turn it on while holding the power button until you see "Loading startup options" - choose "Options", then "Continue" to enter Recovery Mode.
  3. From the menu bar, open "Utilities" → "Terminal".
  4. Run: 
    csrutil enable --without fs --without debug --without nvram
sudo nvram boot-args=-arm64e_preview_abi
  5. Restart your Mac normally.

These commands are current for macOS 13.x and later. Double-check them before running anything - a macOS update can change which SIP settings this needs.

After a repair at Apple

Apple service providers reinstall macOS and re-enable SIP - if moving windows between Spaces stops working again after a repair, just repeat the steps above.