Magnets in devices might cause your Mac notebook computer to sleep

Question

Magnets in devices might cause your Mac notebook computer to sleep

I found the help article on this topic, but what is the solution or workaround? The article says that magnets in the Apple Watch might cause your Mac Notebook computer to sleep. I'd expect that a Macbook Pro and an Apple Watch can work together. I see them advertised together and it seems reasonable that these two products would be compatible.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203315

When the laptop goes to sleep, it cuts off video conferences and causes the user to lose any unsaved work. This issue occurs many times a day. Since your hands are naturally rested on the laptop when you use it, there isn't any way to work around it except not use the watch - seems a bit silly.

Macbook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

Processor 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 Mhz DDR3

Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

I've reproduced the issue on two other identical Macbook pros.

MacBook Pro 15", 10.14

Posted on Jan 25, 2019 12:29 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2019 1:16 PM in response to travismurdock

I repair hundreds of MacBook Pros, MacBooks, MacBook Airs, et cetera every year. I wear my Apple Watch while performing all manner of repairs except disassembly/reassembly where I have to establish a static-free workstation.

I can state I have never seen this behavior professionally, or personally with my own MacBook Pro.

I can only assume Apple means the metal loop watch band that is held in place by a powerful magnet. I never wear the metal bands (anti-static!) so this may explain why I have never seen the issue. Therefore, in my mind, the workaround is to never wear an Apple Watch band that has a magnet in it. Problem solved.

Good luck, and I hope this opinion helps!

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,334 points

Jan 25, 2019 12:34 PM in response to travismurdock

...work around it except not use the watch - seems a bit silly.

Maybe Apple will come out with a redesigned pocket watch ;)

Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

With your same Apple ID you can sign up for a free Developers Account and start a conversation with Apple engineers

Bug Reporter https://bugreport.apple.com/

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Answer 3

Jan 27, 2019 8:08 PM in response to Buster_From_Oak_Park

Thanks for your input. We are able to reproduce this issue across more than a dozen 2015 generation Macbook Pros that we have in the office. We actually sent back several last year because we thought they were defective. There is a very specific spot about five inches down from the top of the laptop on the left edge where this issue occurs on every machine. There must be some component right at that spot that causes the issue in the 2015 generation machines.

I am wearing a watch with a magnet, but the issue also occurs when different bands are used. It also occurs when the watch face is touching the laptop. It happens most often when the user reaches up to use the Esc key or adjust the screen. That causes their watch to touch the laptop and then it shuts down.

When I try to reproduce it on a 2018 Macbook Pro, I'm unable to do so. Maybe those models have better shielding. Hopefully there is another solution other than buying a new computer.

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Magnets in devices might cause your Mac notebook computer to sleep

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