True Tone is a Mac display feature that automatically adjusts the color temperature (warmth) of your screen to match the light around you, so white looks like white on paper would in the same room. It uses ambient light sensors and works on most Mac laptops and iMacs from 2018 onward, plus Apple’s Studio Display and Pro Display XDR. To turn it on or off, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays and toggle True Tone, or click Control Center > Display > True Tone.
How True Tone affects your display
- Under warm indoor lighting, the screen shifts slightly warmer (more yellow), which many people find easier on the eyes.
- Under cool daylight, the screen shifts cooler (more blue) to match.
- It doesn’t change brightness. Automatic brightness is a separate setting.
- It changes colors on screen, which matters for photo editing, video grading, and design work where colors need to be accurate.
How to turn True Tone on or off
- Click the Apple menu > System Settings (System Preferences on older macOS).
- Click Displays.
- Turn True Tone on or off. If you have more than one display, select the built-in or supported Apple display first.
Quick way: click Control Center in the menu bar, click Display, and click True Tone.
Which Macs support True Tone?
| Mac | True Tone |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro (2018 and later) | Yes |
| MacBook Air (2018 and later) | Yes |
| iMac (2020 and later) | Yes |
| Studio Display, Pro Display XDR | Yes, when connected to a supported Mac |
| Most third-party monitors | No |
If you don’t see the True Tone option, your Mac or display doesn’t support it.
True Tone vs. Night Shift
| True Tone | Night Shift | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Matches the screen to room lighting | Makes the screen warmer in the evening |
| How it’s triggered | Ambient light sensors, all the time | A schedule or sunset to sunrise |
| Strength | Subtle | Adjustable, can be strong |
You can use both together. Turn on Night Shift from Displays > Night Shift.
When to turn True Tone off
- When editing photos or video, designing graphics, or doing anything where accurate color matters.
- When comparing colors with another screen or a printed proof.
- If the screen looks too yellow for your taste.
Frequently asked questions
Does True Tone use more battery?
Not noticeably. It adjusts colors, not brightness.
Why is my Mac screen suddenly yellow?
True Tone or Night Shift is on, often under warm indoor light or in the evening. Turn them off in Displays to compare.
Does True Tone affect screenshots?
No. Screenshots capture the original colors, not the adjusted display.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.