The MacBook Pro glowing logo is back, and Apple has now confirmed you can turn it off. It takes one Terminal command on the new 14-inch and 16-inch models, and you can undo it just as fast.
If the lit Apple logo on the lid looks cool to you, leave it alone. If it bugs you in meetings, on flights, or in a dark room, here’s the fix.
Here are the facts that matter most:
- Applies only to the MacBook Pro with the PROLED XDR display (14-inch and 16-inch).
- The logo is lit whenever the Mac is awake and dims with your room’s light.
- There’s no toggle in System Settings, so you use Terminal.
- The change applies to every user account and survives restarts.
- Reinstalling macOS turns the logo back on.
Why the MacBook Pro glowing logo returned
Older MacBooks lit the logo with the screen’s backlight shining through a cutout in the lid. OLED panels have no backlight, so Apple needed a different approach for this model.
According to Consomac, that means a dedicated light behind the logo, which likely adds a bit of weight, cost, and power draw. Apple hasn’t published numbers, so treat the battery impact as unknown for now.
Apple’s own support page says the logo uses the ambient light sensor. It’s dimmer in a dim room and brighter in a bright one, whatever your screen brightness is.
Want the full picture on the laptop itself? Our OLED MacBook Pro price and release date guide covers pricing and touch features.
How to turn off the MacBook Pro glowing logo
Apple’s steps are short. You only need an admin password, and there’s no restart.
- Open Terminal. Press Command-Space, type “Terminal,” and hit Return.
- Paste the command below and press Return.
- Type your admin password when asked. Terminal won’t show the characters as you type.
sudo defaults write com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightMode -int 0The logo goes dark right away, in every lighting condition. MacRumors notes it only works on the 14-inch and 16-inch PROLED models.
How to turn the logo back on
Changed your mind? Run the delete command below in Terminal and enter your password again.
sudo defaults delete com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightModeReinstalling macOS also restores the glow. That’s handy to know if you ever wipe the Mac before selling it.
What the setting does and doesn’t do
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where does it apply? | All user accounts on the Mac, including macOS Recovery |
| Do you need to restart? | No, the logo turns off immediately |
| Does it survive migration? | Yes, it carries over to a new Mac when you migrate |
| Is there a Settings toggle? | No, Terminal is the only method Apple describes |
| Does it work on older MacBooks? | No, only the PROLED XDR models |
The “carries over” part matters. If you move to a new Mac with Migration Assistant, the logo setting can follow you.
Common snags when you run the command
Terminal is picky, so a small slip can stop the change from working. These are the usual culprits.
- You’re signed in as a standard user. The command starts with
sudo, so it needs an administrator account. - You typed it by hand and missed a character. Copy and paste it instead, including the
-int 0at the end. - You’re on the wrong Mac. Only the PROLED XDR MacBook Pro has this logo light.
When you type your password, nothing appears on screen, not even dots. That’s normal. Type it blindly and press Return.
If the logo stays lit after a correct run, close Terminal, open it again, and repeat the command once. Apple’s page says the change is immediate, so a repeat run is a quick sanity check.
Why this small setting got so much attention
The new MacBook Pro uses a tandem OLED panel, as Smartprix explains. That’s why the logo needed its own light source in the first place.
Many people loved the glowing Apple logo on older laptops. Others found it distracting in quiet, dark spaces. Having both camps covered with an off switch is the kind of small choice that keeps everyone happy.
Should you switch the glow off?
It comes down to where you use the laptop. In a dark room, on a plane, or at a conference talk, a lit logo on the lid can be distracting for people behind you.
If you care about squeezing out every minute of battery, turning it off is a cheap experiment. Just don’t expect a big change, since Apple hasn’t said how much power the light uses.
For everyone else, it’s a fun detail you can ignore. It also isn’t a setting you need to touch on day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off the MacBook Pro logo light in System Settings?
No. Apple’s support page only describes a Terminal command. There’s no switch in System Settings.
Does turning off the glowing logo save battery?
Apple hasn’t said. The light is a separate component, so it probably draws some power, but the amount isn’t published.
Will the logo stay off after a restart or macOS update?
Apple says the setting applies to all accounts and also in macOS Recovery. Only a macOS reinstall turns the glow back on.
Does this work on the MacBook Air or older MacBook Pro?
No. The command is for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the PROLED XDR display only.
My take: try the glow for a week before you reach for Terminal. If it never bothers you, skip it. If it does, the one-line fix is safe, reversible, and worth keeping in your notes.
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