Disable the internal display when the device is open and external displays are connected

Question

Disable the internal display when the device is open and external displays are connected

RE: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834

Older OS releases/models could accidentally support this via magnets, or silly sleep games. Worse- I can use an nvram terminal command to disable it permanently, but the issue is the wifi signal drops significantly while closed, and the unit gets very hot. There should be a way to disable the internal display when the device is open and external displays are connected; MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 15”, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 22, 2020 7:52 AM

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Answer 1

May 22, 2020 12:44 PM in response to HWTech

@HWTech

Launch the Terminal and enter the following command:

sudo nvram boot-args="iog=0x0"

You’ll need to reboot for changes to take effect, and the internal display will then be completely disabled regardless of whether the Mac is open or closed.

To undo this, you can go back to the Terminal and enter:

sudo nvram -d boot-args

Script at login will not work, as it requires restart, but it does indicate that a software solution should be quite simple for Apple to implement as the framework is clearly present.

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Answer 2

May 22, 2020 8:54 AM in response to Blakeontheriver

The antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in recent MacBook Pro models (from about the last eight years) are located in the area surrounding the air exits at the hinge-portion of the MacBook Pro.

Placing your closed MacBook Pro in a stand that holds the Hinge-side UP and allows free and easy airflow IN the sides and OUT the rear (hinge-side) should provide performance almost as good as with the display open.

For MUCH faster internet connection speeds, with no interference from Bluetooth, microwave ovens, baby monitors, certain cordless phones, or other Routers in your "network neighborhood" your can easily use Ethernet with a simple adapter.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

203,031 points

May 22, 2020 11:54 AM in response to Blakeontheriver

Blakeontheriver Said:

"So, we're expected to spend $150 on a 3rd party hardware option for what could easily be done with a few lines of code. Not super useful. Also removes the ability to use touch ID- which isn't critical, but is a useful feature that's impossible to use in clamshell."

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Where to Get a Henge Dock:

No one says you need to get it directly from the Manufacturer - Look on eBay, or post on CraigsList that you want one. Got mine from a GoodWill - Just $4.99, which isn't that bad of a price.

Use a BookArc:

Twelve South BookArc Stand for MacBook - Space Gray - Apple

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Answer 4

May 22, 2020 12:48 PM in response to TheLittles

@TheLittles

You're not helping to solve the inquiry; you're suggesting more clutter on my desk for something that is clearly a software-solvable issue. It's not a niche request, or there wouldn't be thousands of posts and discussions about it. This design flaw is also the reason these 3rd-party items exist, however none of them solve the actual request.

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Answer 5

HWTech

Level 9

68,708 points

May 22, 2020 11:45 AM in response to Blakeontheriver

BTW, what is the nvram command you use to do this?

You could just script it and have it run when you login.

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Answer 6

May 23, 2020 8:55 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That's too persistent; it doesn't revert if the external displays are disconnected. Which, if they aren't available (travel, power outage, etc.) becomes an issue to turn it back off.

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Answer 7

TheLittles

Level 10

203,031 points

May 22, 2020 8:28 AM in response to Blakeontheriver

Blakeontheriver Said:

"How is there no supported way to do this? Even Microsoft can...:[...]There should be a way to disable the internal display when the device is open and external displays are connected; MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel"

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Use a HengeDock - as I do.

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Answer 8

May 22, 2020 11:34 AM in response to TheLittles

So, we're expected to spend $150 on a 3rd party hardware option for what could easily be done with a few lines of code. Not super useful. Also removes the ability to use touch ID- which isn't critical, but is a useful feature that's impossible to use in clamshell.

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Answer 9

May 23, 2020 9:12 AM in response to Blakeontheriver

so if I understand you correctly this does not go far enough because it requires a restart and cannot be undone except by restart.

You want a switch to flip in the running system to immediately disable and re-enable the built-in display.

Thats sounds like a good candidate for a feature request:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

be succinct -- the size of your response is limited.

EDIT: My apologies to Androish -- they understood immediately and made that suggestion very early-on in this discussion. By contrast, I "didn't get" what you were trying to do right away, and needed more help toward understanding.

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