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Using MacBook in Closed-Display Mode with an External Display

April 14, 2020

Learn how to use an external display with your Mac notebook while its built-in display is closed.

You can use an external display or projector with a Mac notebook while its built-in display is closed. This is known as closed-clamshell or closed-display mode.

Checking requirements

Using closed-display mode with your Mac notebook, check your requirements as below:

  • An AC power adapter or an external display that provides power over USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).
  • An external keyboard and mouse or trackpad, either USB or wireless.
  • A USB-C to USB adapter or cable if you’re using a USB mouse or keyboard with a Mac that has USB-C ports.
  • An external display or projector.

Enabling closed-display mode

  1. Connect your USB keyboard or mouse to your Mac or external display, or pair your Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with your Mac. when you use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, select Apple () menu > System Preferences, click Bluetooth, then verify Bluetooth is on.
  2. Connect your Mac to power with the AC power adapter. Actually, some external displays, like the LG UltraFine 5K, charge your Mac too.
  3. Connect your external display or projector to the appropriate port on your Mac. Use an Apple video adapter if necessary. Some external displays have a USB cable that needs to be connected to your Mac.
  4. After your Mac notebook’s desktop looks on the external display, close your computer’s lid. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display.

When your external display or projector doesn’t turn on after you connect it to your Mac, so you can connect your display while your Mac is asleep or off, after all wake or turn on your Mac.

Disconnect your display or projector

Before you disconnect your display or projector, put your Mac to sleep.

Choose Apple () menu > Sleep, then disconnect your display or projector.

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