macOS Catalina automatically enables Do Not Disturb via "Presentation Mode" when external display connected

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macOS Catalina automatically enables Do Not Disturb via "Presentation Mode" when external display connected

When connecting any external display to my current generation MacBook Air (2019) running macOS Catalina, Do Not Disturb is automatically enabled via "Presentation Mode".

I discovered this after I stopped getting notifications showing on the right hand side of either display after connecting my second external display. Clicking in the top right to open control centre showed that Do Not Disturb was enabled, with a caption below it stating "Presentation Mode". Some key info:

External displays connected via HDMI, through a USB-C adapter
This behaviour can be replicated for all displays connected via HDMI, regardless of which apps are running and whether or not any are in full screen mode

I can't find any options in System Preferences whatsoever that seem to relate to "Presentation Mode".

Can anyone shed any light on why I'm seeing this behaviour, and how to prevent it?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 6, 2019 1:40 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 8, 2019 8:57 AM in response to alexanderjd

Same problem for me ... for the life of me I can't figure out why this is happening. As far as I know, "Presentation Mode" does not exist in MacOS, so I'm thinking a third party (like Parallels ToolBox) may have done something to trigger this. However, I've uninstalled Parallels ToolBox and don't see any login items, LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, etc. that would trigger/set this.

For me, it happens on boot when my dock (with two external monitors) is plugged in.

I get what "whatever it is" is doing, I don't like it, I want it to stop.

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Answer 2

alexanderjd Author

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Nov 11, 2019 5:08 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for your reply but I've already checked this. I've always had "When mirroring to TVs and projectors" disabled since installing Catalina.

I've just toggled the setting now and tested again, same result: Mac still boots with Do Not Disturb enabled via "Presentation Mode" with my external display connected over HDMI to my USB-C adapter (see attached screenshot).

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Answer 3

alexanderjd Author

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Nov 11, 2019 4:26 AM in response to WickedPorter

Thanks for the screenshot: that's exactly what I'm seeing. I did some more testing after seeing your reply above, and I can confirm this behaviour occurs when my Mac is booted with my external monitor already connected (via USB-C adapter over HDMI).

I'm pretty confident this is a Catalina bug, and one that Apple need to resolve quickly. I almost missed a reminder for a very important conference call this morning as a result of it!

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

135,269 points

Nov 11, 2019 5:20 AM in response to alexanderjd

Well, I suspect that's the only workaround for now. You can send Apple feedback about the issue: Feedback - macOS - Apple

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

135,269 points

Nov 11, 2019 4:42 AM in response to alexanderjd

Check System Preferences > Notifications.

Uncheck "When mirroring…"

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

135,269 points

Nov 11, 2019 5:15 AM in response to alexanderjd

You're welcome. Just curious, can you disable it in the Notification Center?

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Answer 7

alexanderjd Author

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34 points

Nov 11, 2019 5:17 AM in response to dialabrain

Yes: it can be disabled in the Notification Center in the same way Do Not Disturb is normally. After doing so, the issue doesn't then reoccur until the Mac is next restarted / booted.

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macOS Catalina automatically enables Do Not Disturb via "Presentation Mode" when external display connected

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