# Display brightness for Mac: Every screen's brightness, in one place.

> Control external monitor brightness on Mac from the notch. A slider per display, DDC for real hardware brightness, contrast and volume, and brightness keys for any screen.

macOS only lets you change the brightness of Apple displays. Everything else means reaching for the buttons under the monitor and paging through its menus.

ctrlhq lists every connected screen with its own slider. It talks to the monitor directly over the cable (DDC/CI), so the backlight really changes, just like pressing the monitor's own buttons. When a monitor or adapter won't answer, ctrlhq dims the picture instead.

## What you get

- **Real brightness.** The built-in panel and Apple displays use the Mac's own backlight control. Other monitors get DDC/CI, the same commands their buttons send.
- **Contrast and volume.** Monitors that support it also get contrast, speaker volume and mute.
- **Works through anything.** Many USB-C adapters and docks block DDC. ctrlhq notices and dims in software instead, and never goes fully black.
- **Brightness keys for every screen.** Turn it on and the brightness keys adjust whichever display the pointer is on. Volume keys reach the monitor's speakers when that's where the sound is going.
- **Remembers each monitor.** Levels come back when you plug a monitor back in, and after sleep.

## How it works

1. Open the Displays tab in the notch.
2. Drag a monitor's slider.
3. Optionally, turn on brightness and volume keys below the sliders.

## FAQ

### Is this like MonitorControl or Lunar?

Same approach (DDC with a software fallback), built into the notch, so there's no extra menu bar app.

### Why does my monitor say Software dim?

It isn't answering DDC. That's common through USB-C to HDMI adapters, some docks and DisplayLink. A direct USB-C or DisplayPort cable usually works. Software dimming can darken the picture but can't go brighter than the monitor's own setting.

### Does it work on Intel Macs?

Yes, with software dimming for external monitors. Hardware (DDC) control is for Apple silicon Macs.

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Part of ctrlhq, the productivity app in your Mac's notch: $19 once (launch price, regular $49), no subscription, 14-day money-back guarantee. Native, about 12 MB. Download: https://ctrlhq.app/download · All features: https://ctrlhq.app/features