Apple Advises Not to Close MacBooks With a Covered Camera

2.1K Apple in July has rolled out a support document explaining what could happen if customers close their MacBooks when its camera is covered. The document says that first of all, the covered camera can damage the display of the computer. Explaining the issue further, Apple says that the space between the keyboard and the display is designed in such a way that it can only withstand a limited extent, and this could be quite troublesome.

Furthermore, the same action could lead to problems with True Tone and automatic brightness.

Quoting the document, the following has been elucidated:

If you close your Mac notebook with a camera cover installed, you might damage your display because the clearance between the display and keyboard is designed to very tight tolerances. Covering the built-in camera might also interfere with the ambient light sensor and prevent features like automatic brightness and True Tone from working. As an alternative to a camera cover, use the camera indicator light to determine if your camera is active, and decide which apps can use your camera in System Preferences.

The caution coming from Apple roots from multiple objections by people who already own MacBook Pro’s. The owners have complained about visible cracks after covering the camera. Consolidating this, besides, there are various reports and information available on websites like Reddit and MacRumors. With thin bezels, the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro models are affected the most by this matter.

Dashwin, a forum member on MacRumors, learned the hard way when he covered his 16-inch MacBook Pro’s camera, with a webcam cover, and saw himself dealing with a crack near the display.

The latest MBP 16 inch with the thin tiny bezels and display comes at a cost of breakage with the tiniest of forces with a webcam cover in place. The internal display no longer works and I’ve had to connect it to an external display. I’ve had one of the exact same webcam covers on my 2011 MBP with no issues whatsoever for many years”, as told by Dashwin.

The crack or any damage resulting from the application of a camera cover falls under the ‘accident’ category and is covered by AppleCare+. However, customers who aren’t actively subscribed to Apple’s maintenance and fixing service are more likely to pay for the repair themselves, which is quite costly.

On the other hand, Apple has also confirmed that until the green indicator light for the camera hasn’t turned on, it isn’t accessible, nor will it work till then.

There’s also the prospect of people choosing what apps can have permission to use the MacBook’s camera. Nevertheless, those still in need of a cover for the camera are advised to use a cover not more than 0.1mm, which is equivalent to an average printer paper piece, and one that does not leave behind a sticky impression.

Source: Apple