How to change the keyboard backlight on a MacBook

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Short answer

Open System Settings, click Keyboard, and drag the Keyboard brightness slider. Adjust keyboard brightness in low light lets the Mac set the level by itself. Turn keyboard backlight off after inactivity chooses how long the Mac is idle before the light goes out.

Device: Mac
Shown on: macOS Tahoe 26
App: System Settings
Path: System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard brightness
Real screenshots: 5 of 5 steps
Checked: October 2026
Sources: 1 official, linked below

A MacBook with a backlit keyboard lights its keys in the dark. Three settings control it: an automatic mode, a brightness slider and a timer.

The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.

Step by step

Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Done
Click Keyboard in the sidebar
Keyboard is near the bottom of the sidebar. Scroll down to find it.
Done
Set the brightness
Drag the Keyboard brightness slider to adjust the level of backlighting.
Done
Decide about the automatic mode
Adjust keyboard brightness in low light is on in the picture. With it on, the Mac adjusts the backlighting automatically in low-light conditions.
Done
Set a timer
Turn keyboard backlight off after inactivity is set to Never in the picture. Click the menu to choose how long the Mac is idle before the backlighting turns off automatically.
Done