When you close the lid of your MacBook, it goes to sleep. While this is ideal for most users, some may want to keep their laptop in clamshell mode for various reasons. Some may want to play music without opening the lid or download a large file with the lid closed. Apple does not offer a way to go about this task. But there are ways to get around this roadblock. Here’s how you can stop your MacBook from sleeping when its lid is closed.
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In This Article
Before you begin
You may be wondering why Apple doesn’t let you keep your MacBook active when you close its lid. This is largely due to three reasons.
- Preserving the battery life
- Keeping the battery health intact
- Keeping the heating issues in check
If you want to circumvent this default behaviour, you will need to connect your MacBook to an external display. Once that’s done, closing the lid won’t put it to sleep as long as it is connected to its power adapter. MacBooks have an internal setting that allows them to stay active while they’re plugged into a charger. If you don’t have an external monitor on hand, you can use a special Terminal command to keep the laptop active in clamshell mode.
Use System Preferences
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on System Preferences.
- Select Lock Screen from the sidebar.
- Click the menu next to Turn display off on power adapter when inactive.
- Select Never.
Use Battery Settings
- Go to Battery and select Power Adapter from the sidebar.
- Move the slider below ‘Turn display off after’ to Never.
- Uncheck the box next to Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off.
Don’t have an external monitor? Use this Terminal command
If you don’t have an external monitor to plug your MacBook into, you can still keep it awake after closing its lid. Launch the Terminal app and enter this command:
sudo pmset -a disablesleep 1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my MacBook go to sleep when I close its lid?
Your MacBook goes to sleep in clamshell mode to preserve its battery life and charge quickly (if it is plugged into a charger).
Why does my MacBook get warm when I close its lid?
Your MacBook may sometimes install pending updates and sync data when it is in clamshell mode. Since this task requires power, it warms up a little.
Can I keep my MacBook with its lid closed?
Yes, you can keep your MacBook active in clamshell mode, but it requires connecting it to an external monitor and hooking it to a power adapter.
Can I keep my MacBook with its lid closed without connecting it to an external monitor?
If you want to keep your MacBook active in clamshell mode without connecting an external monitor, enter the following command in the Terminal app: sudo pmset -a disablesleep 1.
Is there a third-party app to keep my MacBook active at all times?
Yes, you can use third-party apps like Amphetamine and Caffeinated to keep your MacBook active in clamshell mode.
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Final Thoughts
Keeping your MacBook awake in clamshell mode can drain its battery over a period of time. Make sure the laptop is connected to a power adapter to prevent it from shutting down. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments!
