What you need
- A 14 inch or 16 inch MacBook Pro with Apple silicon, from the 2021 M1 Pro and M1 Max models onwards, using its built in Liquid Retina XDR display.
- The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display (M5 Pro and M5 Max) opens Sun Screen but has no boost to give: macOS already takes that screen to 2000 nits on its own, so Sun Screen simply says so.
- macOS Tahoe or later.
Sun Screen does not work on the 13 inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Neo or iMac, because their screens have no brightness above full to give. It does not work on external displays either, XDR ones included, and Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro have no built in screen for it to use.
How to use it
- Open Sun Screen and click Allow Brightness Keys.
- In System Settings, open Privacy & Security, then Accessibility (called Device Control and Data Access on macOS 27), and turn on Sun Screen.
- Press Brightness Up until the screen is at full brightness.
- Keep pressing Brightness Up. Each press takes the screen a step brighter, up to sixteen steps, and the Sun Screen panel shows how far you are.
- Press Brightness Down to bring it back a step at a time.
Settings
Click the small sun in the menu bar, or open Sun Screen again from Applications, to change its settings:
- Open Sun Screen when I log in. Off until you turn it on.
- Show Sun Screen in the menu bar. On until you turn it off. With it off, open Sun Screen from Applications for its settings.
- On battery. Stop the boost below 20% battery or in Low Power Mode (the default), only boost on the charger, or always allow it.
- Bring the boost back after sleep, locking the screen or closing the lid.
- Boost method. Automatic picks the best way for your Mac. Leave it there unless the boost does nothing.
Questions
Why does Sun Screen need Accessibility permission?
So it can respond to the brightness keys. It only receives the brightness and media keys, never what you type. It notes the brightness keys it acts on in a small log that stays on your Mac, and nothing is ever sent anywhere.
Does the boost use more battery?
Yes. A brighter screen uses more power, so by default Sun Screen stops the boost on battery below 20% or in Low Power Mode. You can change that in its settings.
Why can't I see the boost in a screenshot?
The extra brightness is in the light your display gives off, so screenshots look normal.
The boost switched itself off.
Sun Screen steps aside when the screen is no longer at full brightness, for example when automatic brightness or Control Centre turns it down, and when your Mac sleeps or locks. It can bring the boost back when you return.
How do I remove Sun Screen?
Click the sun in the menu bar and choose Quit Sun Screen, then drag it from Applications to the Bin.
Support
Questions or problems? Email tim@scalus.app and include your Mac model and macOS version.
Sun Screen is made by Scalus App, a registered business name of TMC MEDIA PTY LTD, ABN 26 660 757 415.
