Spotlight issue on MacBook Air M1 2020 screen

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Spotlight issue on MacBook Air M1 2020 screen

So, I have a Macbook Air M1 2020. I bought it around December 2021 and it’s already had to have a screen replacement in that time. Recently, these spotlights have been appearing along the bottom of the screen, however, they go away after I restart the device which is why I’m unsure whether this is a hardware or software issue. It can be fine for weeks at a time but they always come back after a while, and just today my screen went darker and the spotlights were no brighter than the rest of my screen. I think I’m due a new Mac anyway. I would’ve liked it to last at least five years but I don’t think the M1 models are the best. I’d just like to know if it’s really dying or if it can hold on until next year when I finish school. Should I start putting my files onto a hard drive? I’ve heard of the spotlight situation for other Macs but never a 2020 model. My apple care warranty has run out and if the issue is what I think it is, it’s probably not worth it to try and get it fixed. Any advice?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Spotlight issue on screen

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Aug 28, 2025 07:27 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 28, 2025 07:40 AM in response to rayl121

rayl121 wrote:

Should I start putting my files onto a hard drive?

You should always have a backup of your computer, ideally more than one. Computers fail, get damaged, lost or stolen. Apple provides a great backup solution (Time Machine) and external storage is cheap. Aim for a drive that's 2-3 times the size of your internal storage (or the internal storage of the next Mac you think you'll buy, for a bit of future proofing). A 1 TB SSD can be purchased for <$100.

Regarding the 'spotlights' (the issue is commonly called 'flexgate' or 'stage lights', to distinguish it from Spotlight, Apple's search feature), those are the LED backlights for the display and this is a known issue with 2020 MacBook Air models as well. If it's within your budget, I'd be looking at a replacement since the cost of a new M4 MBAir right now is not much more than the cost to replace the display panel.

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