Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your MacBook is closed and the music you were enjoying suddenly stops? This can be frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of a captivating playlist or a movie. Let’s explore some effective strategies for keeping your music playing even when your MacBook is closed.
Method 1: Use a Background App Refresh
Apple’s macOS offers a feature called “Background App Refresh” that allows certain apps, including music players like Spotify, to continue running in the background while your computer is asleep or shut down. To enable this:
- Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.
- Click on the Power Adapter tab (or Battery tab if you’re using battery power).
- Check the box next to Allow apps to remain active when the screen is closed.
- Ensure that Background App Refresh is enabled under the Background Apps section.
By enabling these settings, your music player should continue to function even when your MacBook is not actively in use.
Method 2: Use Alfred Workflow
Alfred is a powerful workflow manager that can automate many tasks, including keeping your music playing. With Alfred, you can create a custom workflow that automatically resumes playback when your MacBook wakes up.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Download and install Alfred from the official website.
- Create a new workflow and add an action called Run AppleScript.
- In the AppleScript editor, enter the following script:
tell application "Spotify"
play
end tell
- Save the workflow and assign it to a keyboard shortcut. For example, you might want to set it to
Ctrl + Shift + P(Play/Pause).
With Alfred set up this way, your music will resume as soon as your MacBook wakes up.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party App
There are several third-party apps designed specifically to keep your music playing even when your MacBook is closed. One such app is Keep Playing Music. This app runs in the background and ensures that your music continues to play even when your MacBook is asleep.
How to Install and Use Keep Playing Music:
- Download the app from its official website.
- Follow the installation instructions provided.
- Once installed, the app will run in the background and automatically resume playback whenever your MacBook wakes up.
Method 4: Utilize macOS Features
macOS also provides built-in features that can help keep your music playing:
-
Siri: You can use Siri to pause or play your music directly through your MacBook. If Siri is enabled and your MacBook is unlocked, you can say “Hey Siri, play music” or “Hey Siri, pause music.”
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Spotlight Search: While using Spotlight search, you can type commands like “play music” or “pause music.” This works even when your MacBook is closed and locked.
Conclusion
Keeping music playing when your MacBook is closed can significantly enhance your experience, especially during those moments when you need uninterrupted entertainment. By leveraging the built-in features and third-party tools available, you can ensure that your favorite tunes always stay at hand, no matter what state your MacBook is in.
FAQ
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How do I enable Background App Refresh?
- Open System Preferences, go to Energy Saver, and check the box next to Allow apps to remain active when the screen is closed. Then, under Background Apps, make sure Background App Refresh is enabled.
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Can I use Alfred without installing it?
- No, Alfred is a standalone app that needs to be downloaded and installed. It’s a powerful tool that simplifies many tasks on macOS.
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Is there any risk to leaving my music playing all the time?
- No, there is minimal risk. The energy consumption is negligible, and the apps mentioned here are designed to minimize any impact on your system.
