One of the most frustrating aspects of using external monitors with a Mac has always been the inability to control brightness and other settings directly from macOS. Monitor Control completely solves this problem.
What Makes It Great
Monitor Control can manage my external displays with zero issues, whether they’re connected via:
- HDMI: Full brightness and contrast control
- USB-C: Complete settings management
The app integrates seamlessly with macOS, allowing you to:
- Use keyboard brightness keys for external monitors
- Control multiple displays independently
- Sync brightness across all displays
- Set custom brightness curves
Real-World Usage
My setup includes both an HDMI-connected monitor and a USB-C display. Previously, I had to reach for physical buttons on each monitor to adjust settings - often disrupting my workflow. Now, everything is controllable from my keyboard or the menu bar.
The app even supports:
- DDC/CI protocol for direct hardware control
- Custom hotkeys for different monitors
- Brightness scheduling based on time of day
- Per-app brightness profiles
Why It Matters
This might seem like a small convenience, but when you’re constantly switching between different lighting conditions or types of work, having instant control over all your displays from one place is transformative.
Monitor Control has become one of those utilities I install immediately on any new Mac setup. It’s free, open-source, and just works - exactly what display management should be.