A menu bar display controller for Mac.
teenydisplay controls the features that compatible DDC/CI external monitors expose from your Mac's menu bar. Adjust supported brightness, contrast, volume, and inputs; switch display modes and apply presets. Built-in MacBook backlight control uses a separate macOS path. 3-day free trial, then $9.99 once.
DDC/CI hardware controls for compatible external displays, plus separate built-in backlight control.
Adjust compatible external monitors through DDC/CI. For the built-in MacBook display, custom shortcuts use the Mac's backlight control separately. Software dimming can extend below a DDC monitor's hardware minimum for dark rooms.
Adjust contrast ratio and speaker volume via DDC. Volume also works on AirPlay displays (Apple TV, AirPlay TVs) through macOS audio APIs. Mute toggle included.
On compatible DDC/CI monitors, switch among supported HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and other inputs. Power and standby control also depend on what the monitor exposes.
Save up to 5 named presets for supported brightness, contrast, volume, input, resolution, refresh rate, and HiDPI settings. A preset does not change physical arrangement, mirroring, or the main-display choice; macOS owns those settings.
Intercept brightness keys (F1/F2) and volume keys for external monitors. Set custom global hotkeys for brightness, contrast, and volume. Configurable step sizes from 1% to 10%.
Link multiple monitors together. Adjust one and all linked displays follow proportionally. Perfect for matched setups.
teenydisplay sits quietly in your menu bar until you need it. Click to open a compact popover showing connected displays and the controls available for each, including supported sliders, input switching, power control, and display modes. Save or apply presets right from the popover. See DDC status, connection type, and resolution at a glance.
Use your Mac's brightness keys (F1/F2) and volume keys with compatible external displays, or set custom global shortcuts for brightness, contrast, and volume. Built-in backlight shortcuts use a separate control path. A native-feeling on-screen display shows the requested level; when no controllable external target is available, intercepted media keys pass through to macOS.
Script your displays with teenydisplay:// URL commands. Set brightness, switch inputs, apply presets, toggle power, and more. Works from Shortcuts, Alfred workflows, and other automation tools. Perfect for desk setup automations and focus modes.
Resolution control, display diagnostics, software dimming, and more.
Switch resolutions and refresh rates from the menu bar. See all available modes including HiDPI and hidden refresh rates on Apple Silicon. No more System Settings detours.
See the currently active ICC profile for each display alongside hardware identifiers and connection details, so you can confirm which profile macOS is using.
When a monitor does not expose DDC brightness, teenydisplay can still dim it in software. DDC monitors can also dip below their hardware minimum for darker rooms.
View detailed info for each display: connection type, vendor and product IDs, serial number, native resolution, DDC capabilities, and current color profile.
Redirect brightness and volume keys to external displays, customize step sizes, and show a native-feeling on-screen display on the monitor you are adjusting.
Start teenydisplay automatically when you log in. Built with native Swift and SwiftUI, with Sparkle bundled for secure updates. Lightweight and stays out of your Dock.
teenydisplay is $9.99 - a one-time purchase. You pay once and own it forever. No subscription, no recurring fees, no upgrade charges.
No. teenydisplay is a one-time payment. You buy it once, it's yours. Forever. We don't do subscriptions.
teenydisplay requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
An internet connection is used for Polar license activation, validation, and deactivation, and for Sparkle update checks and downloads. Display discovery, supported controls, presets, shortcuts, and settings work locally.
Display settings, presets, shortcuts, preferences, trial metadata, and license state are stored locally. The app has no analytics or telemetry and does not upload display settings. Polar receives license and activation identifiers for licensing, Sparkle contacts teenydisplay.com for updates, and the website uses Google Analytics as described in the privacy policy.
teenydisplay can control external displays when the monitor, cable, adapter, and connection expose compatible DDC/CI features. Support varies by monitor and by control. Software dimming is available when DDC brightness is unavailable, while the built-in MacBook backlight uses a separate macOS control path. The app supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Fill out this form with a description of the issue, your macOS version, and your monitor model. We'll get back to you as quickly as we can.
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