Amaya Toman Did you know that you can use your MacBook even with the lid closed? This feature is great if you have screen problems or want to turn your laptop into a practical "desktop" computer. Of course, you'll need an external monitor to see what's happening on your Mac. In this article, we'll tell you all about how to connect your MacBook to it while keeping the lid closed.
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Adam Kos Using an external monitor with a MacBook has a number of indisputable advantages. Connecting an external monitor itself can undoubtedly be done by anyone, as well as using an open MacBook with an external monitor. But what if your MacBook's integrated monitor has problems, it's damaged, or you just want to close the lid of your MacBook and use a larger external display? At these moments, the so-called "clamshell mode" comes into play.
In previous versions of the macOS operating system, switching to clamshell mode was seamless, but after the update to macOS Sonoma, Apple seemed to deny users this option. I was surprised to discover this fact only recently when I bought an external display for my MacBook. But it only took a few minutes spent on Reddit to find out that even macOS Sonoma does not preclude working with a MacBook in Clamshell mode. The magic actually lies in pressing a single key.
What is clamshell mode?
Thanks to the clamshell, you can work on a larger monitor without the laptop screen getting in the way. Just close the computer and put it away. Just be careful, a closed lid can cause overheating. Some MacBooks use the keyboard for cooling. But when you close it, the airflow is limited. That's why we recommend getting a stand for your MacBook, which raises its bottom part and allows for better heat dissipation. If you have a MacBook Air with an Apple Silicon chip, the risk of overheating is greater than with a MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon, which has more powerful cooling. Clamshell mode has a number of advantages from using a larger external monitor. In clamshell mode, you can also connect any Bluetooth accessory to your MacBook and you are not limited to the integrated keyboard and trackpad.
For clamshell mode you need the following:
- Mains adapter to power MacBook
- Mouse - ideally Bluetooth
- Keyboard – ideally Bluetooth
- Supported monitor
- Cable to connect your MacBook to an external monitor
How to start using a MacBook with an external display and the lid closed
If you have everything you need at hand, there's nothing stopping you from switching to clamshell mode and using your MacBook with an external display and the lid closed. Let's assume that you have already managed to connect an external monitor to your apple laptop. How to proceed further?
- On your MacBook, run System Settings
- Make sure the Bluetooth accessory is connected and working
- In the section Battery -> Options activate the item Disable auto-sleep on AC power when monitor is off.
- In System Settings, run Monitors
- Press the Option (Alt) key Night Shift at the bottom of the monitor settings window should change the inscription to Recognize monitors.
- Still holding the Option (Alt) key, click the Detect Monitors button and close the MacBook lid
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This way you can start working in clamshell mode. It should be noted that the mentioned procedure worked for some Reddit users and for me. Unfortunately, it cannot be guaranteed that this is a universal solution that will work for everyone without distinction.
