I had this issue with the 2019 13” macbook pro 4TB port touch bar model. Like the OP my external monitor would only come up in extended desktop/recovery mode even with the lid closed. The only solution that worked for me was to disconnect the LVDS display connector which forced the system to use the external display. Obviously you need an external keyboard/mouse for this to be practical. Mine were USB, I don’t know if bluetooth would have given the same result.
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@thierrywilders I had this issue with the 2019 13” macbook pro 4TB port touch bar model. Like them, my external monitor would only come up in extended desktop/recovery mode even with the lid closed. The only solution that worked for me was to disconnect the LVDS display connector which forced the system to use the external display. Obviously you need an external keyboard/mouse for this to be practical. Mine were USB, I don’t know if bluetooth would have given the same result.
I had this issue with the 2019 13” macbook pro 4TB port touch bar model. Like the OP my external monitor would only come up in extended desktop/recovery mode even with the lid closed. The only solution that worked for me was to disconnect the LVDS display connector which forced the system to use the external display. Obviously you need an external keyboard/mouse for this to be practical. Mine were USB, I don’t know if bluetooth would have given the same result.