If you own a Mac laptop, like a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, and want to make your battery last longer, there are some simple steps you can follow. One effective way is to manage your screen brightness because a brighter screen consumes more power.
The macOS comes with a handy feature called Automatically adjust brightness, which uses an ambient light sensor to adjust your screen’s brightness to an optimal level, ensuring it’s visible without draining your battery unnecessarily. However, you might prefer to have manual control over your screen’s brightness.
If that’s the case, we’ll show you how to disable automatic brightness on your Mac.
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How to Turn Off Automatic Brightness on macOS Ventura or Later
In macOS Ventura, there have been some changes in the way you access settings, with System Preferences being renamed to System Settings to align better with the iOS Settings app. Additionally, the layout of the System Settings app has been updated. As a result, the process for disabling automatic brightness on macOS Ventura or newer versions may differ slightly compared to earlier macOS versions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to disable automatic brightness on macOS Ventura or later:
Step 1: Begin by clicking on the Apple logo located in the menu bar.
Step 2: Next, select “System Settings.”
Step 3: In the left-hand menu, look for and click on “Displays.” Depending on your screen resolution, you might need to scroll down to find this option.
Step 4: Within the Displays settings, you’ll find a toggle switch labeled “Automatically Adjust Brightness.” Turn this option off by toggling it.
Step 5: Once you’ve disabled automatic brightness, your Mac’s screen brightness will only change when you manually adjust it to your preferred level.
These steps will help you take control of your Mac’s screen brightness on macOS Ventura and later versions.
Turning Off Automatic Brightness on macOS Monterey or Earlier
If you’re using macOS Monterey or an earlier version, you’ll need to follow a slightly different path to disable automatic brightness since it’s referred to as “System Preferences” rather than “System Settings.” Here’s a straightforward step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Start by clicking on the Apple icon in the menu bar, located at the top left corner of your screen.
Step 2: From the dropdown menu, select “System Preferences.” This is where you’ll find various settings for your Mac.
Step 3: In the System Preferences window, locate and click on “Displays.” It might be labeled as “Display & Brightness” in some older macOS versions.
Step 4: Within the “Displays” or “Display & Brightness” settings, look for the tab labeled “Display” or a similar term. Under this tab, you’ll find an option called “Automatically Adjust Brightness.” To disable automatic brightness, uncheck this option.
Step 5: Once you’ve unchecked “Automatically Adjust Brightness,” your Mac’s screen brightness will only change when you manually adjust it to your preferred level.
This guide should help you take control of your Mac’s screen brightness on macOS Monterey or earlier versions, where System Preferences is still the go-to location for managing your settings.
How to Manually Adjust Brightness on Your Mac
If you’ve disabled automatic brightness on your Mac and want to take control of your screen’s brightness, you can easily do it manually. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Use Dedicated Keys
You can adjust your Mac’s brightness using dedicated keys, typically located on the F1 and F2 keys on your Mac’s keyboard.
- To increase brightness, tap the F2 key. If nothing happens, try holding down the Fn key simultaneously.
- To decrease brightness, tap the F1 key. You might need to hold down the Fn key first.
Step 2: Through Display Settings
If you prefer adjusting brightness through the display settings, follow these steps:
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen.
Step 3: In the dropdown menu, select “System Settings” or “System Preferences” depending on your macOS version.
Step 4: Click on “Displays” in the left-hand menu. On older macOS versions, you might need to click the “Displays” icon.
Step 5: You’ll see a Brightness slider; adjust it to your desired brightness level. If you’re using an older macOS version, you’ll likely find this under the “Display” tab.
By following these steps, you can manually set the brightness level on your Mac. If you ever want to change the brightness again in the future, simply repeat these steps to apply your new settings. It’s a straightforward process that allows you to customize your Mac’s display to your liking.
Conclusion: Empower Yourself with Mac Control
Mastering the art of disabling automatic brightness on your Mac is your ticket to taking the reins of your Mac’s brightness settings. Instead of letting your Mac make the decisions, you get to decide what’s best. And remember, there are numerous other ways to gain even more control over your Mac. So, seize the opportunity to customize your Mac experience to the fullest.
How to turn off auto brightness on MAC?