How to enable Night Shift on macOS and why you should do it

What is Night Shift for?

Night Shift appeared in the recent macOS 10.12.4 update, but by default it is inactive and needs to be started manually. Before turning on the function, let's figure out what it is for and what is the use of it.

In fact, Night Shift is a night mode in which the color temperature of the display changes towards warmer shades. Instead of a cool blue glow, which negatively affects circadian rhythms and causes trouble falling asleep, the image turns yellow and does not hurt the eye as well. As a result, eyesight is less strained when working in the evening and at night. Night Shift automatically and very smoothly adjusts the display temperature depending on the time of day, so you don't even notice it.

How to enable Night Shift

For Night Shift to work, you must have macOS 10.12.4 installed. The following Mac models are supported:

MacBook (2015 and newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 and newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 and newer)
Mac mini (Late 2012 and newer)
iMac (Late 2012 and newer)

To enable the function, do the following:

1. Open system preferences and go to the "Monitor" section.

2. Switch to the Night Shift tab and change the schedule to Dusk Till Dawn.

Now, with the onset of dusk, the image will become warmer, and with sunrise, the display calibration will return to its original parameters.

You can quickly turn on the function in two ways: through Siri or using the toggle switch in the "Notification Center", which appears if you pull the shutter down.

In addition to the "From Dusk Till Dawn" mode, there are also custom Night Shift settings that allow you to specify the length of time during which the function will be active. You can also choose how much warmer the colors will be when Night Shift is on.

Designers, photographers and everyone who is critically important about the accuracy of colors during their work should refrain from using the function. In this case, Night Shift can do more harm than good.