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Many users use camera covers - whether on iMacs or MacBooks. They just want to be on the safe side. But Apple warns against such covers - the reason for this is the display.
Apple has now published a new support document warning customers not to close their MacBook devices with a cover over the camera, as this can cause damage to the display. According to Apple, the distance between the display and the keyboard should be minimal, which can be problematic. In addition, covering the camera can also cause problems with automatic brightness and True Tone. So explained the company:
If you close your Mac notebook while a camera cover is in place, you may damage the display because the gap between the display and the keyboard is designed to be very tight. Covering the built-in camera could also interfere with the ambient light sensor and prevent features like auto-brightness and True Tone from working. As an alternative to a camera cover, use the camera status light to determine whether the camera is active, and use System Preferences to decide which apps can use the camera.
Apple makes recommendations
The new support document is more or less a response to a number of complaints that the display was broken. The reason for this was precisely the camera covers. It seems to be particularly bad with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro model, which has a thinner frame. Damage caused by attaching a cover to the camera is considered accidental and can be repaired under AppleCare+. Repairs without AppleCare+ are usually very expensive. Anyone who is worried about unauthorized camera access should pay attention to the green light. As soon as this lights up, the Mac signals camera access. The camera is designed in such a way that it cannot be accessed without the indicator light lighting up - but not every user wants to rely on this.
If your work environment requires that your Mac notebook camera be covered at all times, follow these guidelines to avoid damaging the display:
– Make sure the camera cover is no thicker than a sheet of printer paper (0.1 mm).
– Do not use a camera cover that leaves adhesive residue.
– When installing a camera cover that is thicker than 0.1 mm, remove the camera cover before closing the computer.
So if you still can't or don't want to go without a cover, you should use something that is no thicker than normal printer paper - according to Apple. Black insulation tape is particularly popular. (Photo by Denys Prykhodov / Bigstockphoto)
