How to stop your MacBook sleeping when the lid is closed
Macworld ·
Macworld Many Mac users want to turn their MacBook into a desktop-style workstation, using an external display, keyboard, and mouse with the lid closed – a setup often called clamshell mode. Running a MacBook this way can make sense for several reasons, from supporting multiple external monitors on certain Apple-silicon models to freeing up desk space and improving ergonomics. Others may want their Mac to keep working with the lid closed while it downloads files, runs backups, plays music, or so you can keep your AI agents running. The problem is that macOS is designed to put a MacBook to sleep as soon as you close the lid. Apple does support clamshell mode (or closed-display mode), which lets you use a MacBook like a desktop by connecting an external display, keyboard, and mouse while the lid is closed. However, this setup comes with strict requirements: clamshell mode won’t work without an external monitor, and it can introduce performance or thermal trade-offs. If those limitations don’t suit your needs, there are alternative approaches – including third-party apps and system settings – that can keep a Mac awake with the lid closed. Just ensure that if your Mac is running in clamshell mode you do not put it inside a bag or enclosed space as it is likely to get hot. In this article we cover: What you need to use a MacBook with the lid closed , the steps to follow to use a MacBook with the lid closed , different methods to stop a Mac sleeping when the lid is closed , how to play music or continue a download while a MacBook lid is closed , and how to wake a MacBook with the lid closed . Why would you want to use a MacBook with the lid closed? Using a MacBook with the lid closed. Petter Ahrnstedt There are several functional and technical reasons why you might choose to operate your MacBook with the lid closed. Save desk space Connecting an external display, keyboard and mouse lets you use your MacBook as a desktop computer. Closing the lid frees up space, particularly if you use a suitable vertical stand, while a larger monitor can provide a more comfortable working setup. Keep the Mac’s ventilation openings clear. Keep tasks running You may want downloads, backups, music playback or other tasks to continue while the lid is closed. A supported external-display setup keeps the Mac usable with the lid shut. Without an external display, you’ll generally need a utility that specifically supports closed-display operation, as explained below. Keep the Mac stationary and ventilated while it works; don’t put it in a bag. Use multiple monitors Multiple monitors give you more room to work and let you keep several apps visible without constantly switching between windows. You could write a document on one screen while consulting research on another, or keep email and chat separate from your main workspace. Closing your MacBook’s lid lets you work entirely on external monitors while freeing up desk space. External display support depends on the chip. Base M4, M5 and M6 MacBook Pro models, plus M4 and M5 MacBook Air models, support two external displays. M5 Pro supports three; M1 Pro through M4 Pro support two; and M1 Max through M5 Max support four. Closing the lid doesn’t increase these limits. Base M3 models support two external displays only with the lid closed, requiring Sonoma 14.3 or later on the Air and 14.6 or later on the Pro. Opening the lid disconnects the second monitor. Base M1 and M2 MacBooks support one external display, although DisplayLink accessories and software offer a workaround. Resolution and refresh-rate limits vary; check individual specifications, particularly for Intel models. See also: Best stands for MacBook and Best MacBook docking stations . Why does my MacBook sleep when I close the lid? Apple doesn’t officially support disabling sleep when the lid is closed without an external monitor and power source by default, but there are workarounds. MacBooks are designed to enter a sleep state when the lid is closed primarily to manage power consumption and protect the hardware. This automatic transition helps preserve battery life and prevents the device from overheating while stored in a confined space like a backpack. The reasons for this behavior include: Power Management : Closing the lid triggers a standby mode that significantly reduces power usage. Hardware Protection : If a MacBook remains active while closed in a bag, it can overheat and become really hot because it is still processing tasks without adequate ventilation. Automatic Updates : While asleep, macOS may occasionally wake the system to install updates or sync data, though this can sometimes lead to the device becoming unexpectedly warm if it doesn’t return to sleep properly. What do I need to use a MacBook with the lid closed: Clamshell Mode You’ll need an external monitor (or two), a mouse and keyboard to use a MacBook with the lid closed. Foundry To operate your MacBook with the lid closed, you must have specific external hardware connected and meet the following requirements: Power Source : Apple’s recommended setup for using a MacBook in closed-display (clamshell) mode is to connect an external display, a power adapter, and an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad. While some newer MacBook models — particularly Apple Silicon systems — may continue to operate with the lid closed while running on battery power, this behaviour can vary depending on the Mac model, macOS version, and connected peripherals. For the most reliable and fully supported clamshell-mode experience, Apple recommends keeping the MacBook connected to power. External Display : The Mac must be connected to an external monitor . External Peripherals : You must have an external keyboard and mouse (wired or Bluetooth) to wake and control the computer. Up-to-date software : Using a MacBook with the lid closed is a lot simpler than it used to be if you are using a newer Mac and a newer version of the Mac operating system . In fact, if you are experiencing issues using your Mac with the lid closed then it is likely that you could address this by updating your Mac to a recent version of macOS, assuming your Mac supports it (see our macOS compatibility checker ). Newer versions of macOS have made this process much smoother, resolving many of the bugs that plagued older Intel-based MacBooks. How to use a MacBook with the lid closed Follow these steps to use your laptop as a desktop computer by connecting it to external peripherals while the built-in display is shut. Connect your MacBook to power. Use its charger, or a compatible USB-C monitor or dock that supplies power to the Mac. With the lid open, connect your external display, keyboard and mouse or trackpad. If you use Bluetooth peripherals, make sure they are paired with your Mac. Turn on and unlock your MacBook. On Apple silicon models, click Allow if macOS asks permission for a connected accessory to connect. Wait until your Mac’s desktop appears on the external display, then close the lid. The external display may briefly go dark. If your desktop doesn’t reappear, press a key on the external keyboard or click the mouse to wake the Mac. You can read more about using a second display with your Mac here . But even with these settings, if you aren’t attached to an external monitor closing the lid will cause the Mac to sleep. What if you don’t want to plug in an external display? Read on… How to stop a MacBook from sleeping when the lid is closed Suppose you don’t want your MacBook to sleep when you close the lid? Maybe it is busy downloading something and you don’t want it to stop. Or maybe you’ve left it downloading an update overnight or syncing your Time Machine backup, and you’d prefer not to see the backlit keyboard. In another scenario you might want to play music from the MacBook without having to have the lid open – something likely to appeal to a few DJs. The problem is that your Mac will go to sleep when you close the lid if it’s not plugged in and connected to an external display. To stop a MacBook from sleeping when the lid is closed – specifically when it is running on battery power and not connected to an external monitor – you generally need to use third-party software or advanced system commands. By default, macOS is designed to enter sleep mode in this state to preserve battery life and prevent overheating. Option 1: Use a Third-Party App like Amphetamine A utility that supports closed-display operation can keep your MacBook awake with its lid closed. Our recommendation is Amphetamine , which is free and can be downloaded from the Mac App Store : As noted in our round up of the best free Mac apps , Amphetamine will keep your Mac awake. Featuring a menu bar-based interface, the app lets you temporarily override your Mac’s sleep schedule (even when your MacBook’s lid is closed) and even adds a few useful features like activating only when connected to specific Wi-Fi networks and keeping only certain drives awake. We recommend: Amphetamine Best Prices Today: Free at Mac App Store To configure Amphetamine for this specific scenario, follow these steps: Download and open Amphetamine (it’s on the Mac App Store). Click the pill-shaped icon in your menu bar Select Quick Settings. In the Session Defaults section, uncheck the box for “Allow system sleep when display is closed”. Start a new session using “Indefinitely” or “While File is Downloading” or “While App is Running”) to keep the Mac awake after closing the lid. Your Mac may need to be plugged in while the download continues. On Apple silicon MacBooks, connecting or disconnecting external power can affect Amphetamine’s closed-display sessions. The developer offers an optional Power Protect helper to address this behavior. Follow the guidance presented by the app, and check that your session continues after closing the lid or changing power sources. Alternatively, Caffeinated is a paid app available on the Mac App Store here for $3.99/£4.49. Version 3.2 introduced an option to keep your MacBook awake with the lid closed. Enable its closed-lid option for this purpose. Option 2: Use a dongle You can use a dummy display plug that tricks your MacBook into thinking it’s connected to an external display, thus putting your MacBook in clamshell mode and keeping it running. You can find a four-pack of UGreen HDMI dummy adapters on Amazon for nine bucks . Option 3: Use Terminal Commands If you prefer not to install third-party software, you can use the Terminal to disable sleep mode entirely. Open Terminal. Enter the following command: sudo pmset -a disablesleep 1 That should stop your Mac sleeping. Please note that using this command will prevent the Mac from sleeping in all scenarios until you reverse it by entering: sudo pmset -a disablesleep 0 Can Battery settings keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed? In System Settings > Battery > Options, “Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off” keeps your plugged-in Mac awake when its screen turns off. However, this setting alone does not override sleep triggered by closing the lid. For closed-lid use, follow the external-display setup above or use a utility that specifically supports closed-display operation. How to play music with your Mac’s lid closed You can use the free Amphetamine app (mentioned above) to keep your Mac awake while the display is closed, here’s how: Once installed on a Mac you will find a pill-shaped icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. You can choose from options such as Start New Session While File is Downloading or While App is Running. If you want to keep Music (or what app you are using) running with the lid closed, first, you need to have that app open. Then follow these steps: Click on the Amphetamine icon in the menu bar. Click on Quick Settings . In the Session Defaults section, deselect “Allow system sleep when display is closed.” Go back to the main menu and select While App is Running and pick Music or the app you are using. If your app is not open, it will not appear in the list. Only apps that are running appear. You will now be able to shut your Mac’s lid and continue listening to Music. Foundry How to continue a download with a MacBook lid closed Foundry By default, macOS puts your MacBook to sleep when you close the lid. In sleep mode, most apps stop running, which means regular downloads in Safari, Chrome, Steam, or other apps will usually pause. To keep downloads running with the lid closed, you need to prevent your Mac from fully sleeping. Your best option is to use a third-party app, like Amphetamine. Follow the steps in the section above and start a session by selecting While File is Downloading or While App is Running (select your browser or download manager). “Wake for network access,” found in System Settings > Battery > Options, allows your Mac to wake briefly so other users can access shared services. It does not keep the Mac continuously awake or override sleep when you close the lid. Don’t rely on it to keep browser or game downloads running; those require the Mac to remain awake. With a utility such as Amphetamine preventing sleep the following downloads can continue: browser downloads cloud storage syncs Steam/game downloads large file transfers and uploads How to wake a MacBook with the lid closed You can use a Mac while it’s closed. Halyna Kubiv If your MacBook is asleep, you can usually wake it without opening the lid when it is connected to an external display, power, and an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad. Make sure the external display is switched on and the MacBook is receiving power. Press a key on the external keyboard or click the mouse or trackpad. If the Mac doesn’t wake, open the lid and check its power, display and accessory connections. These steps wake a sleeping MacBook. If it has been shut down, open the lid and press the power button if it doesn’t start automatically. For scheduled startup and wake-up, see our separate guide to scheduling your Mac to turn on and off . If FileVault is enabled, you must log in after startup. FAQ 1. Can a MacBook run with the lid closed without an external monitor? By default, a MacBook is designed to enter sleep mode as soon as the lid is closed to preserve battery life and prevent overheating. Apple does support a closed-display mode (aka clamshell mode), but with hardware requirements that typically include an external monitor. However, there is third-party software, such as Amphetamine, that will allow you to override the default sleep schedule, keeping the system active even when the lid is shut and no external display is present. 2. Is it safe to stop a MacBook sleeping with the lid closed? Yes. Apple supports using a MacBook with its lid closed when connected to an external display and accessories. Keep it on a hard, flat surface with ventilation openings unobstructed, and never leave it running inside a bag. Thermal performance depends on the model and workload, though. Geekerwan, as reported by Macworld , found a closed-lid cooling advantage for the PROLED XDR MacBook Pro over the older mini-LED model tested. 3. Why does my external monitor turn off when I close my MacBook? If the external display goes dark when you close the lid, check that your MacBook is receiving power, the display is connected correctly, and an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad are available. A compatible USB-C display or dock may supply power without a separate charger. On Apple silicon models, open the lid and unlock the Mac to approve connected accessories if prompted. Then close the lid and try waking it with the external keyboard or mouse. 4. Can I use clamshell mode on battery power instead of plugging in the charger? In some cases, yes. Certain newer MacBook models – particularly Apple Silicon models – may continue to operate in clamshell mode while running on battery power. However, Apple’s recommended and officially supported setup for closed-display includes connecting the MacBook to a power adapter. Behaviour on battery power can vary depending on the Mac model, macOS version, and connected peripherals, so using external power is the most reliable configuration for clamshell mode. 5. What’s the difference between sleep mode, clamshell mode, and preventing sleep on a MacBook? The primary difference between these modes lies in how the MacBook manages its power, display, and background tasks when the lid is closed. Sleep Mode : Sleep mode is the default state for a MacBook when the lid is closed. In this state, the system pauses most operations to conserve battery life. Clamshell Mode : This mode allows you to use your MacBook as a desktop workstation while the lid is closed. This mode is officially supported by Apple but requires specific external hardware to function, including an external display, a power source, and external peripherals like a keyboard and mouse. Preventing Sleep : In some cases you might want to keep a MacBook fully active even when the lid is closed, without necessarily meeting the strict hardware requirements of clamshell mode. Since macOS doesn’t support this you need a third-party app, or you could plug in a dongle that makes your Mac think you have a display plugged in.