Blackout turns off your MacBook’s built-in display when you are working on an external monitor. System settings will not show the internal display as a desktop anymore. Unplugging monitors or closing the app will return to normal state again.
3 of 3 displays on
One display always stays on.
All three displays are on.
Use the switches above to see how your displays appear in macOS.
Switch individual displays on or off from one window.
Use your MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad with its screen dark.
If something goes wrong, the app will automatically reset the screens to default (all screens are on)
Reduce the app to a tiny top menu bar icon, without an icon in the dock
If monitor cable is unplugged, the app will detect this and act accordingly
Unlike other tools, login or authentication via TouchID will work even with the display turned off.
Requires macOS Sequoia or later.
No, as Apple doesn't allow software that uses the Apple hardware API in the App Store, probably to protect normies from breaking their systems. This app is officially signed by Apple with my valid Apple Developer account, so it's safe to use.
In all these cases the internal display will be turned on with 80% brightness instantly. Also when macOS updates or other such events happen.
Feature compatibility is awaiting verification. A dash means no test result is available yet.
| MacBook model | Year | Turning internal display off | Turning internal display on again | Automatic monitor unplug detection | Turning internal display off after re-logic | Touch ID work with display off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel MacBooks | ||||||
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, Intel · Sequoia | 2019 | |||||
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, Intel · Tahoe | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 13-inch, Intel · Sequoia | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch, Intel, 2 ports · Sequoia | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch, Intel, 4 ports · Sequoia | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch, Intel, 4 ports · Tahoe | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Apple silicon MacBooks | ||||||
| MacBook Air 13-inch, M1 | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch, M1 | 2020 | |||||
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M1 Pro / Max | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, M1 Pro / Max | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 13-inch, M2 | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch, M2 | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 15-inch, M2 | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M2 Pro / Max | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, M2 Pro / Max | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M3 / Pro / Max | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Pro / Max | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 13-inch, M3 | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 15-inch, M3 | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M4 / Pro / Max | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, M4 Pro / Max | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 13-inch, M4 | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 15-inch, M4 | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M5 | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 13-inch, M5 | 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Air 15-inch, M5 | 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch, M5 Pro / Max | 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Pro / Max | 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
| MacBook Neo 13-inch, A18 Pro | 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |