macOS Sonoma 14.6 Adds Dual External Display Support to M3 14-Inch MacBook Pro

by

The macOS Sonoma 14.6 update that Apple released today includes dual display support, an important feature specifically for the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro. With the new software, the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with M3 chip is able to run two external displays in clamshell mode, aka when the lid is closed.

m3 macbook pro blue
Apple introduced dual display support in clamshell mode for the M3 MacBook Air models when they were released in March 2024, but at the time, the option was not available for the M3 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ released back in October 2023. Apple said at the time that it was planning to release a software update that would add multi-display support to the M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌.

The change is mentioned in Apple's macOS Sonoma update support document and in a support document on using dual monitors with the M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌.

The 14-inch M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ now supports one external display at 6K resolution when the lid is open, or two external displays at 5K resolution at up to 60Hz when the lid is closed.

Higher-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips were already able to support multiple displays, so today's change only applies to the 14-inch M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ model.

Aside from the display update, macOS Sonoma 14.6 addresses a number of security vulnerabilities as outlined in Apple's security support document. None of the vulnerabilities are known to have been actively exploited in the wild, but it is still a good idea to update as soon as possible.

Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Read Full Article • 83 comments
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
Read Full Article • 112 comments
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Read Full Article • 222 comments
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
Read Full Article • 39 comments
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
Read Full Article • 80 comments

Top Rated Comments

I
icanhazmac
20 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?
Surely you jest?

I run my MBP probably 80% in clamshell at home with 2 monitors and externals versus 20% while traveling as a laptop with my iPad as the 2nd monitor.

Why would I want to use the comparatively tiny screen, keyboard, trackpad while at home versus 2 27" monitors with a full size KB and mouse? And my desktop speakers are way better too.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Sheepish-Lord
20 months ago
Ahhh yes, the software locked feature that legit made the MBA better than a “pro” model
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
bradman83
20 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.
I do this with my work laptop (which is a Windows machine so Touch ID isn't applicable). For me the laptop's internal display is a distraction, I'd rather have the two main displays which are the same size, same height, and situated so they line up like one continuous display. I also happen to prefer an external keyboard with numeric keypad when working with a lot of numbers and a mouse versus a trackpad for working with Excel, so the setup works for my use case.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
USB-Adapter
20 months ago
It would be useful to keep the lid open for the camera and Touch ID.

But it would be too complicated for Apple to let users disable the internal display when the lid is open.

I use a DisplayLink docking station with my M1 MBP and two external displays and have to mirror one of the displays to the internal display and then reduce the brightness of the internal display to zero in order to emulate a disabled internal display and still be able to use the camera, the Touch ID and the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro.
Every Windows laptop has a dedicated key on the keyboard to switch to this mode without dumb workarounds.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
mortenb
20 months ago

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID
New 'external' Magic Keyboard have Touch ID.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
USB-Adapter
20 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.
Me, most of the time when I work from home, because I have a USB camera, a Magic keyboard, a Logitech mouse and a Jabra speaker. But when I work in the office, I have to use the MacBook's internal camera and Touch ID.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments