Assume there are only one space - Desktop 1. emacs -Q 2. M-x toggle-frame-fullscreen Now there are two spaces - Desktop and *scratch* 3. eval (make-frame `((parent-frame . ,(window-frame)))) Now there are three spaces: - Desktop - Empty space named *scratch* with emacs menu - *scratch* with emacs frames but without menu Although attached patch solves this problem for me these cases still not handled right way: 1. Removing parent-frame property leaves the frame is same space: (let ((new-frame (make-frame `((parent-frame . ,(window-frame)))))) (modify-frame-parameters new-frame `((parent-frame . nil)))) Maybe child frame must go fullscreen if ex-parent frame is in fullscreen. 2. Setting parent frame after frame creation: (let ((frame (window-frame)) (new-frame (make-frame))) (modify-frame-parameters new-frame `((parent-frame . ,frame)))) Thanks! In GNU Emacs 27.0.50 (build 1, x86_64-apple-darwin18.6.0, NS appkit-1671.50 Version 10.14.5 (Build 18F132)) Windowing system distributor 'Apple', version 10.3.1671 System Description: Mac OS X 10.14.5