Control MacBook brightness with your trackpad

Adjust your MacBook's built-in display

Brightness uses the left trackpad edge by default. Slide up to increase brightness and down to decrease it, with haptic feedback as you adjust. The right edge controls volume separately.

1. Check that your Mac runs macOS 12 Monterey or later.
2. Download Slidr, open the DMG file and drag the app to Applications.
3. Launch Slidr and allow Accessibility permission in your Mac's privacy settings so it can read trackpad gestures.
4. Slide along the left trackpad edge to adjust brightness.

External monitor brightness via DDC

Slidr also supports external monitor brightness through DDC, a display control protocol. Before relying on the gesture for an external display, check the monitor's documentation for DDC support.

Some monitors may not support DDC. Slidr's external brightness support depends on this capability, so it cannot promise brightness control for every monitor. Built-in display brightness does not depend on an external monitor's DDC support.

Can I control an external monitor's brightness from my trackpad?

Yes, Slidr supports external monitor brightness via DDC. Some monitors may not support DDC, so brightness control is not available on every external display.

Why does volume work but my external monitor's brightness does not?

External brightness depends on the monitor's DDC support. Check its documentation for DDC compatibility. Also check that Slidr is running and has Accessibility permission, then use the left edge for brightness by default.

Can I limit when brightness gestures activate?

Yes. Slidr can limit gestures to the bottom quarter of the trackpad or require a modifier key before they activate. It also automatically ignores gestures while you type.