What is Night Shift on Mac and how to use it

💡 Need to know

• Night Shift reduces blue light. It shifts your display to warmer tones after dark.
• You can schedule it automatically. Choose Sunset to Sunrise or create a custom time.
• It may help with sleep. Less blue light means less disruption to melatonin production.

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The screens of most tech devices, like smartphones, tablets, and computers, emit blue light. Exposure to blue light can disrupt your sleep cycle, especially if you’re looking at a screen late into the night.

Changing the amount of blue light your devices emit may help. There are third-party apps for that, but Macs® have a built-in feature that does the same thing: Night Shift.

At Asurion, we learn tech inside and out to help you get more out of your devices. Whether you need help when your MacBook won't turn on or your Mac function keys are not working, we have the tried-and-true solutions. Explore our guide on what Mac Night Shift is and how to turn on night mode on your MacBook.  

How to turn on Night Shift on your Mac

You need macOS® Sierra 10.12.4 to use Night Shift. Your computer also needs to be a Mac from 2012 or later, or a Mac Pro from 2013 or later. 

If necessary, start by updating your computer by going to the Apple menu > System Settings > Software Update Available. Choose Upgrade Now to get macOS up to date.

Then, follow these steps to turn on Night Shift on your Mac:

1. In the Apple menu, go to System Settings.
2. Choose Displays > Night Shift.
3. Under Schedule, use the dropdown menu to choose when you want Night Shift to turn on.

How to schedule and customize your Night Shift settings

In the Night Shift settings, you can choose exactly how you want the feature to affect your screen color and when it will come on:

1. Under Schedule, either use Custom to set your own schedule, or choose Sunset to Sunrise to have your computer automatically turn Night Shift on during dark hours in your location.
2. Alternatively, toggle on Turn on until tomorrow to just use the Night Shift for tonight.
3. Adjust the Color Temperature slider from Less Warm to More Warm according to your preferences.

For example, maybe you only want to turn on night mode on your MacBook a couple of hours before you go to bed at 12 a.m. In that case, you would select a Custom schedule from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. or later. Type the hours in directly after you choose Custom.

Play around with the Color temperature slider to find a balance between reducing blue light and being able to comfortably view your screen. If the More Warm extreme makes the screen too yellowy and orangey for you, try adjusting the slider closer to the middle.

Keep in mind that you will still get some blue light no matter what option you choose. It’s still a good idea to stop looking at screens at least an hour before bed to wind down and get the best sleep possible.

Why you should use Night Shift for eye comfort

Looking at a screen, any screen, for too long will put strain on your eyes. Making adjustments, such as using Mac Night Shift to reduce blue light exposure, may help.

It also may support better sleep. Your circadian rhythm is the 24-hour internal cycle your body is on. It signals when you should sleep and when you should wake up, but blue light disrupts it. When you get exposed to blue light, your body suppresses melatonin—a hormone that helps put you to sleep. Suppressed melatonin means it’s harder to fall asleep when you want to, leading to disrupted sleep cycles. 

So, if you need to be on the computer after dark, especially near your bedtime, it’s a good idea to reduce your exposure to blue light. Night Shift does that for you automatically. By adjusting your screen to warmer tones, night mode on your MacBook may help reduce eye strain and make it easier to fall asleep.

Make sure to address any other issues with your screen as well. For example, screen flickering can be disruptive and irritating to your eyes. Learn how to fix a flickering MacBook Pro screen with a few different methods.

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FAQ

What does Night Shift do on a Mac?

Night Shift reduces the amount of blue light emitted by your screen by shifting colors to warmer tones.

Does Night Shift really help you sleep?

Reducing blue light exposure may help support melatonin production, which plays a role in sleep cycles.

How do I schedule Night Shift on Mac?

Go to System Settings > Displays > Night Shift, then choose Custom or Sunset to Sunrise under Schedule.

Why can’t I find Night Shift on my Mac?

Night Shift requires macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later and a compatible Mac model (generally 2012 or newer).