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Connect an HDR10-compatible monitor, TV, or projector, then open Apple menu > System Settings > Displays, select the external display, and turn on High Dynamic Range if macOS has not enabled it automatically. The control appears only for a supported display and connection; available settings can vary by Mac, macOS version, and display.
Before you start: check Mac and display compatibility
Apple’s HDR video guidance requires a compatible Mac, the latest macOS, and an HDR10-compatible external display, TV, or projector. Apple lists these Mac families as supporting HDR video:
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later; external-display HDR on these models requires Apple silicon
- MacBook Neo
- iMac introduced in 2020 or later, and iMac Pro
- Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
- Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later
- Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later
These are broad family criteria, not a guarantee that every Mac, display, or connection combination supports every HDR mode. Check the technical specifications for your exact Mac and display. Apple’s requirements are described in Play HDR video on Mac.
HDR10 support also does not by itself establish the resolution, refresh rate, brightness, or image quality available through a particular input and cable or adapter. Verify the specifications for the entire connection chain.
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Connect the external display
Use a connection path supported by both the Mac and display:
- For a DisplayPort display, connect it to a Thunderbolt port.
- For an HDMI display, connect it to the Mac’s HDMI port. If the Mac has no HDMI port, use an HDMI cable and a suitable USB-C-to-HDMI adapter connected through Thunderbolt.
Apple provides connection guidance in Connect a display to your Mac. If you use an adapter, check its specifications for the resolution, refresh rate, and HDR support you need; an adapter’s connector type alone does not establish that it supports every mode. Apple’s USB-C adapters for Mac page lists examples, not a guarantee that every adapter supports every display configuration.
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Turn on HDR in macOS
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
- Select the external display if it is not already selected.
- Turn on High Dynamic Range if the option appears and is not already enabled. macOS may enable HDR automatically.
On older macOS versions, the settings app is called System Preferences rather than System Settings. Apple documents the current HDR control in Play HDR video on Mac.
Check that HDR content is actually playing in HDR
Enabling HDR for a display does not guarantee that every app, video, input, or connection chain will deliver HDR. Test with content and an app that support HDR, and check the display’s own input or picture information if available.
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Apple says built-in Mac displays and Apple Pro Display XDR support Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. On other HDR10-compatible external displays, Dolby Vision and HLG are converted to HDR10 when viewed. This format behavior is described in Apple’s HDR video guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If High Dynamic Range is missing or HDR video looks like SDR
The HDR control does not appear
- Confirm the external display supports HDR10 and that the exact Mac model supports external HDR.
- Check that the cable, port, and any adapter form a supported signal path. If you use a TV, some models require HDR to be enabled for the specific HDMI input in the TV’s own settings.
- Install available macOS updates, then return to System Settings > Displays.
- Review the display’s manual or on-screen menu. Some settings are controlled on the display rather than in macOS.
Apple’s setup and troubleshooting recommendations are in Play HDR video on Mac and Connect a display to your Mac.
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HDR video plays in SDR on battery
On a portable Mac, check Battery or Energy Saver > Options for Optimise video streaming while on battery. Apple says enabling this option can cause HDR video to play in SDR while the Mac is on battery. Connect the Mac to power or turn off the optimization to play HDR. The wording and location can vary by macOS version; see Apple’s HDR video troubleshooting steps.
HDR works, but resolution or quality is lower than expected
Apple notes that HDR video may be limited to resolutions no greater than 1080p on Intel-based Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models, depending on the content and display. Separately, an adapter or display input may limit the available resolution or refresh rate, so check their specifications for your chosen setup.
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What to verify for a specific setup
- The exact Mac model and whether it supports external-display HDR
- HDR10 support on the monitor, TV, or projector
- A supported HDMI or DisplayPort connection path, including the adapter’s specifications if one is needed
- Any HDR setting required for the display’s particular input
- Whether battery video optimization is affecting HDR playback
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