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So I want to connect an external display, close my laptop lid and let the other display stay on (e.g. to watch a movie or something).

I found the app NoSleep which works if I don't connect an external display and just stream some music to a music setup and close my lid, the music will continue to play, however it sadly doesn't work with an external display.

Is there some piece of software (or some terminal command, or some Cocoa function, etc) that can do this?

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4 Answers 4

Reset to default
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Apple provides a solution for this, actually.

These are the instructions, assuming you are using a Wired USB keyboard and mouse:

  1. Make sure your Mac notebook is plugged in to an outlet using the AC power adapter.
  2. Connect a USB keyboard and mouse to your Mac.
  3. With your Mac turned on and the display open, connect the Mac to the appropriate port on the external display or projector and turn the display or projector on. Use an appropriate Apple video adapter if necessary.

  4. After your Mac notebook's Desktop appears on the external display, close the computer's lid.

    When you close the lid:

    • In OS X Lion v10.7 and later, the external display changes to a blue screen, then shows your Desktop.
    • In OS X v10.6.8 and earlier, you can wake your Mac by clicking the mouse button or pressing a key on the external keyboard.

Effectively, you simply require AC power, and a mouse and keyboard connected, in order to make the display stay active.

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  • And the last point: 5. Once the lid is closed, wake the computer up by either clicking your mouse button or by pressing a key on your external keyboard.
    – Filomat
    Jun 17, 2020 at 6:16
  • What about bluetooth keyboard / mouse?
    – Almenon
    Feb 14, 2023 at 0:00
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The main thing you need is a connected and currently working external keyboard and mouse. Then closing the lid does the right thing, though you might have to move your mouse to get it out of sleep if your OS version is prior to 10.7.

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I don't use this app, but it is a popular one in the community

Caffeine

Caffeine is a tiny program that puts an icon in the right side of your menu bar. Click it to prevent your Mac from automatically going to sleep, dimming the screen or starting screen savers. Click it again to go back. Right-click (or ⌘-click) the icon to show the menu.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/caffeine/id411246225?mt=12

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    Sadly this won't work as it only works when the lid is open
    – hgiesel
    Jun 8, 2016 at 22:49
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I personally use Amphetamine available at Amphetamine @ app store, which is used to set the options to use with the display closed and on battery power. I'm doing this as I write this up.

The OS X version I'm currently running is Big Sur (11.0.1)

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