Control external display brightness and volume on macOS using keyboard keys or sliders, with native OSD support.
MonitorControl is a macOS application that lets users control the brightness, volume, and contrast of external displays using keyboard shortcuts or menubar sliders. It solves the problem of macOS lacking native support for adjusting external display settings, providing a seamless experience with native on-screen displays.
Mac users with external monitors who want integrated brightness/volume control without relying on display hardware buttons, especially those using Apple keyboards.
Developers choose MonitorControl for its free, native-like integration, support for multiple display protocols (DDC, Apple native, software dimming), and extensive customization options unavailable in macOS itself.
🖥 Control your display's brightness & volume on your Mac as if it was a native Apple Display. Use Apple Keyboard keys or custom shortcuts. Shows the native macOS OSDs.
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Shows macOS-native brightness and volume OSDs and works seamlessly with Apple keyboard media keys, providing a built-in feel for external displays.
Supports DDC for hardware control, Apple protocols for native displays, and software methods like gamma adjustments for virtual screens, ensuring broad compatibility.
Offers dozens of settings, including smooth transitions and combined hardware/software dimming, with an advanced settings toggle for fine-tuning to specific hardware.
Allows synchronizing brightness across multiple monitors and replicating ambient light sensor changes from built-in screens, enhancing consistency.
DDC control is unsupported on built-in HDMI ports of certain Mac models, and displays like EIZO or those via DisplayLink only allow less effective software dimming.
Known crashes on macOS Sequoia and Tahoe with v4.2.0, which also lacks auto-updates, requiring manual intervention and posing reliability risks.
Requires adding the app to Accessibility settings to use Apple keyboard keys, an extra step that can deter users seeking plug-and-play functionality.