Can you enter clamshell mode without the laptop plugged in?

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gpharricks Author

Level 1

9 points

Can you enter clamshell mode without the laptop plugged in?

Posted on Nov 10, 2017 7:30 PM

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Answer 1

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Nov 11, 2017 6:13 PM in response to gpharricks

Hi,

You need to have the laptop "plugged in." Per Apple (Use your Mac notebook computer in closed-display mode with an external display - Apple Support):

Requirements for closed-display mode

To use closed-display mode with your Mac notebook, you need:

An AC power adapter
An external keyboard and mouse or trackpad, either USB or wireless
A USB-C to USB adapter if you're using a USB mouse or keyboard with MacBook (2015 and later) or MacBook Pro (2016 and later)
An external display or projector

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Answer 2

gpharricks Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 11, 2017 5:32 PM in response to Kappy

Hey Kappy,

I have a bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. When I am in clamshell mode and the AC charger is plugged into my laptop it works, but when the AC charger gets unplugged clamshell mode ends. Is this an energy saving setting? How can I use clamshell mode without the charger.

thanks,

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 10, 2017 7:33 PM in response to gpharricks

To operate in clamshell mode you need an external USB keyboard and external monitor connected. You don't need the AC charger.

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