Use Night Shift Mode on Mac? Here’s How
Yes, you can use Night Shift mode on a Mac, and it’s built into macOS. It shifts your display’s colors to the warmer end of the spectrum after dark, which can reduce eye strain and may help you sleep better. This article explains what Night Shift is, how to turn it on, how to schedule it, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
What Is Night Shift Mode?
Night Shift is a display feature introduced in macOS Sierra 10.12.4. It uses the clock and geolocation of your Mac to determine when the sun sets in your location, then automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display. The screen appears warmer (more orange/yellow) and less blue, which is thought to be less stimulating to your circadian rhythm. It’s similar to the Night Shift feature on iOS devices, and it’s designed to make nighttime computing more comfortable.
How to Turn On Night Shift Manually
If you want to enable Night Shift immediately, you can do it from the Control Center or System Settings. Here’s how:
- Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (it looks like two toggles).
- Click the Display module (it may be a small monitor icon).
- Click the Night Shift toggle to turn it on or off.
Alternatively, you can go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) > Displays > Night Shift tab, and click the “Turn On Until Tomorrow� button. This enables Night Shift for the rest of the night, until the next morning.
How to Schedule Night Shift Automatically
Most users want Night Shift to turn on and off automatically. To set a schedule:
- Open System Settings > Displays > Night Shift.
- Next to “Schedule,� choose Sunset to Sunrise (uses your location) or Custom to set your own times.
- If you choose Custom, specify the start and end times.
- Adjust the color temperature slider: “Less Warm� is more subtle, “More Warm� is more orange.
When scheduled, Night Shift will automatically change the display temperature at the set times. You can also enable “Next Day� to have it turn off at your specified end time.
What If Night Shift Isn’t Working?
If Night Shift doesn’t appear in your settings or doesn’t seem to work, check the following:
- macOS version: Night Shift requires macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later. If you’re on an older version, update your Mac.
- Hardware support: Night Shift is supported on most Macs from 2012 or later, but some older models or external displays may not support it. If you’re using an external monitor, it must be connected via a supported interface (DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt).
- Location Services: If you use “Sunset to Sunrise,â€� make sure Location Services is enabled for your Mac. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, and ensure it’s on.
- Night Shift and True Tone: On Macs with True Tone (like MacBook Pro 2018 and later), Night Shift and True Tone work together. If True Tone is off, Night Shift still works, but if the display looks odd, try toggling True Tone on or off.
- Restart: Sometimes a simple restart can fix glitches.
Night Shift vs. True Tone vs. Dark Mode
These three features are often confused, but they do different things:
- Night Shift changes the color temperature (blue to yellow) to reduce blue light in the evening.
- True Tone adjusts the white balance to match the ambient lighting in your room, making colors look more natural. It works all day, not just at night.
- Dark Mode changes the user interface to dark colors (dark backgrounds, light text), which reduces overall brightness and glare. It doesn’t affect color temperature.
You can use all three simultaneously. Many users enable Night Shift and Dark Mode at night for a comfortable viewing experience.
Does Night Shift Actually Help You Sleep?
The theory behind Night Shift is that blue light from screens can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. By reducing blue light, Night Shift may help your body maintain its natural sleep-wake cycle. However, scientific evidence is mixed. Some studies show a small benefit, while others find no significant effect on sleep quality. The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not specifically endorse Night Shift for eye health, but it does recommend reducing screen brightness and taking breaks. If you have trouble sleeping, Night Shift is worth trying, but it’s not a guaranteed fix. Other habits like reducing screen time before bed and keeping a consistent sleep schedule are likely more impactful.
Alternatives to Night Shift
If Night Shift isn’t enough, or if your Mac doesn’t support it, you have alternatives:
- Third-party apps: Apps like f.lux offer more control over color temperature and can be more aggressive in reducing blue light. However, they may require extra setup and are not built into macOS.
- Reduce brightness: Simply lowering your screen brightness can reduce eye strain at night.
- Use a blue light filter on your display: Some external monitors have a “low blue light� mode built into their settings.
- Wear blue light glasses: These glasses filter blue light before it reaches your eyes, and they work with any screen.
Each option has its pros and cons. Night Shift is free and integrated, but third-party apps may offer more customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Night Shift not showing on my external monitor?
Night Shift works with the built-in display of most Macs, but external monitors may not support it, especially if they are connected via VGA or older adapters. To use Night Shift on an external display, connect it via DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt, and make sure the monitor is not in a compatibility mode. Some monitors have their own blue light filter settings that you can enable instead.
Can I set Night Shift to turn on at a specific time?
Yes. In System Settings > Displays > Night Shift, choose “Custom� under Schedule, then set the start and end times. For example, you can set it to turn on at 10:00 PM and off at 7:00 AM.
Does Night Shift affect battery life?
Night Shift itself uses negligible power because it’s just a color adjustment. It doesn’t increase battery drain significantly. However, if you’re using an external display, that will use more power regardless.
Can I use Night Shift with a PC keyboard on my Mac?
Yes, Night Shift is controlled by the operating system, not the keyboard. You can still enable it from System Settings or Control Center, regardless of the keyboard brand.
Will Night Shift affect color accuracy for photo editing?
Yes, Night Shift changes the color temperature, so colors will not be accurate. If you do color-critical work, turn Night Shift off or use a color-calibrated display. You can quickly toggle Night Shift off from Control Center when you need accurate colors.
How do I turn off Night Shift permanently?
Go to System Settings > Displays > Night Shift, and set Schedule to “Off.â€� You can also toggle Night Shift off in Control Center. If you want to disable it permanently, just don’t schedule it and turn it off manually.
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