In the starting of July, Apple published a support document warning customers to not cover their Mac’s camera as it can lead to some damage to the display.
Apple stated that the gap between the camera and the keyboard is designed in such a way that anything put in between can cause serious damage to the display of the laptop. The Mac may also not be able to execute functions like automatic brightness and True Tone.
“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.”
This issue came to the limelight when Apple MacBook owners started noticing a major crack in the display after putting some covering over the camera. There have been multiple reports and warning to not do so on platforms like Reddit and MacRumours. The 16-inch MacBook Pro seems to have the worst results when compared to other models as the 16-inch model has a thinner bezel.
Dashwin, a MacRumours forum member noticed a major crack after installing a webcam over his 16-inch MacBook Pro. He stated-
“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.”
The damage caused by installing a webcam can be covered under the AppleCare+, but if you don’t have AppleCare+, then it can possibly cost you a lot of money. Those users who suspect of illicit use of the camera can always look for the green light that comes on whenever the camera is in use. Apple said that it is designed in a way that camera can’t be accessed when the light is off.
