How to change the keyboard backlight on a MacBook

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-the-keyboard-backlight-on-a-macbook/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26

5 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 3 official sources below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)

App

System Settings

Path

System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard brightness

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Click Keyboard in the sidebar

   Keyboard is near the bottom of the sidebar. Scroll down to find it.

   Done

3. 

   Set the brightness

   Drag the Keyboard brightness slider to adjust the level of backlighting. Apple says dragging it all the way to the left turns the backlighting off.

   Done

4. 

   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

5. 

   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

If you do not see this option

• There are no keyboard brightness settings. Apple says these options are only for a Mac with a backlit keyboard. Source: Keyboard settings on Mac
• Your Mac has System Preferences, not System Settings. Apple says that on macOS Monterey you choose System Preferences, Keyboard, then Keyboard. The timer there is a tick box, Turn keyboard backlight off after a set time of inactivity. Source: Change Keyboard preferences on Mac
• You want a quicker control. Apple says that if your Mac has keyboard brightness keys, you can use them. You can also add keyboard brightness to the menu bar or Control Centre. Source: Turn your Mac keyboard's backlighting on or off

If this does not work

• The keys do not light up in a dark room. Apple says the light sensor is at the top of the Mac near the camera. Make sure nothing covers it, or switch off the automatic mode and drag the slider yourself. Source: Turn your Mac keyboard's backlighting on or off
• The light goes off while you are reading. That is the inactivity timer. Choose a longer time in the Turn keyboard backlight off after inactivity menu, or Never, as in the picture. Source: Turn your Mac keyboard's backlighting on or off

About this guide

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.

Good to know

These options are for Mac computers with a backlit keyboard.

In short: System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard brightness.