How to use MacBook clamshell mode

What if I told you thay you can still use your Mac with the lid closed? Clamshell mode lets you connect to an external display, turning your laptop into a desktop workstation. This feature is perfect for working around a faulty screen or simply reducing visual clutter on your desk. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up and using clamshell mode on your Mac.

What is clamshell mode on Mac?

Many Mac users know they can connect their MacBook to an external display for better graphics. This is helpful for gaming, photo editing, and other visual tasks. You can also use an external monitor while your MacBook's lid is closed. This feature is called clamshell mode, aka closed-display mode.

Clamshell mode lets you use an external monitor without having your MacBook's smaller screen in the way. This is especially useful if your MacBook's display is not working. Just plug in your MacBook and connect it to an external monitor. You will see your documents, photos, and web browser on the new screen, and you can close your laptop's lid while you work.

Things to know before setting up clamshell mode

With clamshell mode, you can transform your MacBook into a desktop-like setup. Here are some additional advantages:

• Using clamshell mode with an external display is the best way to improve the graphics performance while minimizing your MacBook’s resources. 

• If your monitor is set up correctly, clamshell mode can offer better ergonomics than using a laptop for graphic-heavy work. 

• You can use the mouse and keyboard of your choice, making for a more comfortable user experience. 

The main concern with clamshell mode is cooling. With the MacBook closed, the natural cooling through the keyboard is reduced, which may lead to overheating.

MacBook Air is more susceptible to overheating in clamshell mode compared to MacBook Pro. To offset this, use a MacBook cooling stand while in clamshell mode and take a break if your laptop gets too hot.

At the same time, if you have a MacBook Air, make sure that it is connected to a power source before using it in clamshell mode; a MacBook Pro can work well in this mode if the battery charge is sufficient. At the same time, though, it is better to connect any Mac (even a MacBook Pro) to a power source to avoid unexpected battery drain and ensure stable performance with the external display. 

Important: you will need to run macOS Monterey or later to use your Mac in clamshell mode. 

What do you need to use a MacBook in clamshell mode

To make the most of the clamshell mode and use it effectively, you’ll need a couple of things:

• An AC Adapter to power your MacBook

• An external mouse and keyboard

• A supported monitor 

• An HDMI/VGA to USB-C adapter (essential for MacBooks with only USB-C ports to connect to external displays)

Before you get started using your MacBook as a desktop computer, you will need a wireless mouse, keyboard, and external monitor. Newer MacBooks (with USB-C ports) will require an HDMI/VGA to USB-C adapter to connect to an external display. 

When you’ve ready, follow the steps below to set up clamshell mode. 

How to use clamshell mode on your MacBook

Once you have all the equipment you need, follow these steps to enter clamshell mode on your MacBook:

1. Plug in your external monitor and your MacBook into a power outlet.

2. Connect your external monitor to your MacBook with an HDMI cable and possibly a VGA/HDMI to USB-C adapter. 

3. Turn on the external monitor.

4. Open your MacBook, go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.

5. Select your external monitor. You can also adjust any color and brightness settings here. 

6. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and connect your mouse and keyboard. If you are using external speakers, connect them too.

Update the power settings:

1. In System Settings, go to Battery and click Options.

2. Turn on "Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is turned off."
      

3. Now go to Lock Screen.

4. Set the time for "Turn display off on power adapter when inactive" to Never.

You should be ready to close the lid to your MacBook and enter clamshell mode, but you might want to test out your settings before closing the lid by using Screen Mirroring. 

1. Click the Control Center icon in the upper right corner of your screen. 

2. Click Screen Mirroring and click Mirror Built-In Display.

You should get a good idea of exactly how clamshell mode will work on your external monitor with Screen Mirroring. But do not forget to disable it — mirroring the screen prevents from entering the clamshell mode.

Once you are satisfied with the settings, close the lid and get to work. 

How to enter clamshell mode from sleep? 

Basically, when you close the lid, your Mac enters sleep mode. So, to enter clamshell mode from sleep, just press any key on your external keyboard or click an external mouse, and it should work just fine.

Did you know? System Settings is virtually the most important app on your Mac because it is where you customize your user experience. To learn how to use it, check out this handy guide.

How to exit clamshell mode

Returning to normal operation is easy — just open the lid of your Mac. Once the laptop wakes up from sleep, you will have exited the clamshell mode. 

Additionally, you can disconnect the peripherals if you do not need them anymore. If you know that you will no longer run this mode, return your System Settings to the preferred ones. 

Improve your Mac’s performance with CleanMyMac

To keep your Mac running efficiently, it's essential to perform regular maintenance to free up space, scan for malware, and optimize speed. CleanMyMac thoroughly scans your Mac and provides effective solutions based on what it finds. The best part is that it works effortlessly behind the scenes, letting you enjoy a fully optimized MacBook without any extra effort on your part.

Here’s how to use this smart helper: 

1. Get your free CleanMyMac trial — you can test all the app's tools for 7 days at no cost.

2. Click Smart Care and run a scan.

3. Once the scan is complete, click Run to remove junk and perform Mac maintenance.

CleanMyMac comes with another helpful tool — the Menu App. You can use it to monitor the temperature of your Mac while it is in clamshell mode. All you have to do is click a little iMac icon in the menu bar, and from there, you can check the temperature of the CPU and battery status and health, which can also be convenient.

If it turns out that your Mac is too hot, quit top consumers. Better still, stop using ypur computer and let it cool down. In the future, consider purchasing a cooling pad or a stand if you plan to use your MacBook in clamshell mode frequently.

Benefits of using CleanMyMac

• A full scan takes less than 5 minutes
• On average, users remove 10.5 GB of junk after running the Smart Care scan
• CleanMyMac cleans out over 81 GB of junk per minute and clears more than 50K Macs daily
• Trusted by users in over 185 countries 

Get started with a free CleanMyMac trial — check the difference it can make for your MacBook. 

Tip: For smooth data transfers, consider using target disk mode, which transforms your Mac into an external drive. Check out this article for more details on how to use target disk mode.

Tips for making the most of clamshell mode on your MacBook

We’ve covered the essentials of using your MacBook with the lid closed, but here are some additional tips to ensure smooth performance:

• Clamshell mode requires your MacBook to remain plugged while in use, which may impact battery longevity. To help maintain your battery's health, consider adjusting your battery settings.

• Keep in mind that disconnecting your MacBook from power may automatically exit clamshell mode (especially MacBook Air). To activate the clamshell mode after unplugging, simply reconnect your MacBook to power and wake it up by clicking or moving your mouse.

• If you're just watching a movie, you might not need to connect additional Bluetooth accessories, which can simplify your setup.

• With the MacBook closed, ensure it's placed in a well-ventilated area or consider using a cooling pad if you're running resource-intensive apps.

Clamshell mode not working: troubleshooting common issues

Sometimes, clamshell mode won't work. Here are two common glitches and the best fixes. 

External monitor not waking up

If the monitor stays dark, make sure that you've adjusted the settings as we've described above. If you did, follow these steps: 

• Check all the cables and ensure proper connection.
• Make sure that mirroring screen is not enabled in System Settings > Displays (mirroring prevents entering clamshell mode).  
• Reset connections: unplug the cables and plug them back in and restart your MacBook. Then, log in to your Mac and close the lid to put it into sleep mode. 

Mac won't sleep

If Mac won't sleep, you won't be able to use it in clamshell mode. Here's what to check:

• Disconnect any devices that you do not need (like external drives or an unused keyboard).
• Go to System Settings > Battery > Options and make sure that Prevent automatic sleeping is enabled.
• Reset the SMC. For a Mac with Apple silicon, simply restart it. For an Intel-based Mac, shut it down, press and hold the Shift+Control+Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds, and then press the power button to turn on your computer. 

For more tips, check out this article.