[GH-ISSUE #1798] Brightness meter no longer shows current brightness (macOS Tahoe 26.0) #993

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opened 2026-05-05 07:00:33 -06:00 by gitea-mirror · 3 comments

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 07:00:33 -06:00

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Originally created by @georgeyu26 on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1798

Before opening the issue, have you...?

Searched for existing issues
Looked through the wiki
Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable)

Describe the bug

In macOS Tahoe 26.0, the brightness meter that shows up in the center of the display when changing brightness has been removed by Apple. Instead, there's a new brightness meter at the top right. I assume this is similar to the brightness meter inside of macOS control center.

As a result, when changing external monitor brightness with MonitorControl, there is no on screen brightness meter that shows the current brightness anymore. The new brightness meter at the top right always shows an empty bar.

Steps to reproduce

Update to macOS Tahoe 26.0.
Change external monitor brightness with MonitorControl.
The brightness meter at the top right always shows an empty bar.

Expected behavior

Update to macOS Tahoe 26.0.
Change external monitor brightness with MonitorControl.
The brightness meter at the top right should show the brightness level.

Anything else?

Environment Information (please complete the following information)

- macOS version: macOS Tahoe 26.0
- Mac model: MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 M2 Pro
- MonitorControl version: 4.2.0
- Monitor(s): Dell S2725QS
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes

Originally created by @georgeyu26 on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1798 ### Before opening the issue, have you...? - [x] Searched for existing issues - [x] Looked through [the wiki](https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/wiki) - [x] Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable) ### Describe the bug In macOS Tahoe 26.0, the brightness meter that shows up in the center of the display when changing brightness has been removed by Apple. Instead, there's a new brightness meter at the top right. I assume this is similar to the brightness meter inside of macOS control center. As a result, when changing external monitor brightness with MonitorControl, there is no on screen brightness meter that shows the current brightness anymore. The new brightness meter at the top right always shows an empty bar. <img width="1920" height="1080" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/762e6c77-a902-4d35-838f-0e178e73ec7f" /> ### Steps to reproduce Update to macOS Tahoe 26.0. Change external monitor brightness with MonitorControl. The brightness meter at the top right always shows an empty bar. <img width="1920" height="1080" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/762e6c77-a902-4d35-838f-0e178e73ec7f" /> ### Expected behavior Update to macOS Tahoe 26.0. Change external monitor brightness with MonitorControl. The brightness meter at the top right should show the brightness level. ### Anything else? <img width="1920" height="1080" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/762e6c77-a902-4d35-838f-0e178e73ec7f" /> ### Environment Information (please complete the following information) ```markdown - macOS version: macOS Tahoe 26.0 - Mac model: MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 M2 Pro - MonitorControl version: 4.2.0 - Monitor(s): Dell S2725QS - Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes ```

gitea-mirror closed this issue

2026-05-05 07:00:36 -06:00

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 07:00:40 -06:00

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@georgeyu26 commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025):

@JoniVR @waydabber @the0neyouseek

@georgeyu26 commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025): @JoniVR @waydabber @the0neyouseek

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 07:00:42 -06:00

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@georgeyu26 commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025):

Oh, I just read in previous issues that it's impossible for MonitorControl to access Tahoe's new brightness meter:

https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1782
https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1778

Would it be possible to add some other visual indicator for the brightness (apart from the native brightness meter in Tahoe), with a toggle to enable or disable it in case some users don't want it?

For example, when you click the menu bar icon, there's a small menu with a meter that shows the current brightness. Can this be displayed instead of the Tahoe brightness meter when used with an external monitor?

@georgeyu26 commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025): Oh, I just read in previous issues that it's impossible for MonitorControl to access Tahoe's new brightness meter: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1782 https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1778 Would it be possible to add some other visual indicator for the brightness (apart from the native brightness meter in Tahoe), with a toggle to enable or disable it in case some users don't want it? For example, when you click the menu bar icon, there's a small menu with a meter that shows the current brightness. Can this be displayed instead of the Tahoe brightness meter when used with an external monitor?

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 07:00:45 -06:00

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@waydabber commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025):

Hi @georgeyu26 - I recommend trying BetterDisplay for now - as it has a proper OSD solution for Tahoe.

The current MonitorControl version won't fix the OSD issue. I started working on a full MonitorControl replacement derived from BetterDisplay that removes all the extra features to match MonitorControl's with a simplified experience – just not sure when this will be ready.

@waydabber commented on GitHub (Sep 16, 2025): Hi @georgeyu26 - I recommend trying [BetterDisplay](https://betterdisplay.pro) for now - as it has a proper OSD solution for Tahoe. The current MonitorControl version won't fix the OSD issue. I started working on a full MonitorControl replacement derived from BetterDisplay that removes all the extra features to match MonitorControl's with a simplified experience – just not sure when this will be ready.