Check your requirements

Some users report that the official adapters are more reliable, but I've had success with the third-party variety. Once you've acquired all the necessary parts, set up your monitor, power it on and plug it into your Mac's Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort.

How to use your MacBook in closed-clamshell mode

At this point, make sure you're logged into your computer and have both screens powered up. After connecting everything, your Mac will begin mirroring its display to the new monitor automatically. In the configuration window, you'll see both displays stacked to indicate mirroring mode. To disable mirroring, uncheck the box just below the display preview window located next to the "Mirror Displays" text. Both screens will go black for a brief moment. When they come back you'll have two different desktops, with the menu bar and dock being restricted to only appearing on one.

OS X will automatically determine the ideal resolution for both screens, but should you want to tweak this setting, you can do so by selecting the Display tab within Displays the preferences panel. Using the arrangement window, you can move adjust the layout of your monitors to reflect how they are actually set up on your desk. Keep in mind, this will also determine the side of your screen to which you move your mouse to switch between displays.

So long as the displays are "touching" in the arrangement window, you can arrange the displays however you'd like.

How to Use Only an External Display with a MacBook

Top, bottom, right, left - it doesn't matter. As just mentioned, the menu bar and dock is only present on one display technically the menu bar is present on the secondary display, but its transparency is nearly see-through , making it the primary screen. In this same settings pane, you can drag the white bar that represents the menu bar to the screen you want to set as primary.

Again, the displays will go black, then light back up to reflect the new settings. Have an extra iMac sitting around the house?

Use your Mac notebook computer in closed-display mode with an external display

Did you know you can use it as a second monitor for a MacBook? Now the system will recognize the new files and behave the way we want it to. This should go without saying. Now plug in some kind of USB attachment. I use a wired mouse for my computing, and it works just fine for this trick. This is where things change.


  1. Use extended desktop mode.
  2. Monitoring your Mac’s health with CleanMyMac X.
  3. How to Use Only an External Display with a MacBook.
  4. How to set up multiple monitors with your Mac!

Opening the lid switches it back into dual-monitor mode. Instead, the computer will go to sleep. Let it shut itself off. Keep doing that until the computer wakes up. Now open the lid and type your password. If your monitor is equipped to rotate between vertical and landscape orientations, and you want the vertical look, you'll need to make sure your settings are adjusted as such.

On your external monitor's settings, just make sure Display is selected, then change Rotation to whatever you need it to be. Alternatively, you can enable Mirror Displays just check the box next to it to have your external display show the exact same thing that appears on your Mac's screen. When video mirroring, your Mac will try to use the same resolution, or closest resolution, that it uses on its built-in display to the external monitor.

3 Ways to Turn Off The Screen of Your MacBook Without Closing The Lid [OS X Tips] | Cult of Mac

If you don't want an extended desktop, and don't want to mirror your displays, then you probably just want a bigger screen for your computer. This can be done using clamshell mode.

How to use an iPad as a second monitor

In order to do this, your Mac notebook will need to be connected to its power adapter, and you'll need an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad. If using a wired keyboard and mouse, make sure they're connected, then simply close the lid on your Mac notebook.


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  • Set the Primary Display on a Dual-Screen Mac Setup!
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  • Use external monitors with your Mac!
  • If you're running OS X Lion or later, your desktop should automatically appear on the monitor after flashing blue for a second. For those of you with Snow Leopard or older, you'll have to press a key or click a mouse button to see the desktop.

    How to keep your MacBook awake with a closed lid