[GH-ISSUE #1488] Software Dimming for "Hardware (Apple)" control method #841

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opened 2026-05-05 06:45:58 -06:00 by gitea-mirror · 1 comment

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:45:58 -06:00

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Originally created by @HalfWhitt on GitHub (Dec 28, 2023).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1488

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Searched for existing issues

I have two 27" LED Cinema Displays (the DisplayPort model) connected to my M1 Studio via USB-C to DisplayPort connectors. MonitorDisplay correctly sees both monitors and adjusts brightness using Apple's hardware protocol. But since it's not DDC, additional software dimming isn't available.

Describe the solution you'd like

I'd like to be able to use software dimming in addition to Apple hardware brightness control, to be able to dim a screen to black.

Describe alternatives you've considered

While they don't even have a contrast adjustment, I believe (due to experience with Lunar) that these monitors' brightness can still be controlled via DDC. If that's correct, then an option to switch control method to DDC would (I imagine) also make software dimming available.

Anything else?

Originally created by @HalfWhitt on GitHub (Dec 28, 2023). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1488 ### Before opening the issue, have you...? - [X] Searched for existing issues ### Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe I have two 27" LED Cinema Displays (the DisplayPort model) connected to my M1 Studio via USB-C to DisplayPort connectors. MonitorDisplay correctly sees both monitors and adjusts brightness using Apple's hardware protocol. But since it's not DDC, additional software dimming isn't available. ### Describe the solution you'd like I'd like to be able to use software dimming in addition to Apple hardware brightness control, to be able to dim a screen to black. ### Describe alternatives you've considered While they don't even have a contrast adjustment, I believe (due to experience with [Lunar](https://lunar.fyi/)) that these monitors' brightness can still be controlled via DDC. If that's correct, then an option to switch control method to DDC would (I imagine) also make software dimming available. ### Anything else? ![image](https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/assets/50283671/b16d16a6-9da3-4412-a9f6-86231ddc2532)

gitea-mirror closed this issue

2026-05-05 06:46:00 -06:00

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:46:03 -06:00

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@waydabber commented on GitHub (Dec 28, 2023):

Hi @HalfWhitt - this feature was implemented in BetterDisplay. MonitorControl's feature set is final and no more updates are planned. BetterDisplay allows for extra software dimming with Apple displays as well and you can also force the display to be treated as third party with DDC control. All these features are free in the app.

@waydabber commented on GitHub (Dec 28, 2023): Hi @HalfWhitt - this feature was implemented in [BetterDisplay](https://betterdisplay.pro). MonitorControl's feature set is final and no more updates are planned. BetterDisplay allows for extra software dimming with Apple displays as well and you can also force the display to be treated as third party with DDC control. All these features are free in the app.