How to Permanently Enable Night Shift in Mac OSX Sierra
The "Night Shift" feature in Mac OSX Sierra is a fantastic tool for reducing eye strain and improving sleep quality. It automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to a warmer hue, minimizing the blue light emitted by your screen during evening hours. While Night Shift is designed to be activated during specific timeframes, many users find it beneficial to utilize this feature throughout the day, particularly for those who spend extended periods in front of their screens. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to permanently enable Night Shift in Mac OSX Sierra, allowing you to enjoy its benefits around the clock.
The Benefits of Night Shift
Before delving into the technical aspects of permanently enabling Night Shift, let's explore the advantages it offers. Primarily, Night Shift aids in mitigating the adverse effects of blue light exposure. Our eyes are naturally sensitive to blue light, which can disrupt the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. When exposed to blue light in the evening, it can lead to difficulty falling asleep, restless nights, and reduced sleep quality. Night Shift alleviates these issues by shifting the color temperature of your screen towards warmer hues, thereby reducing the amount of blue light emitted.
How to Permanently Enable Night Shift
While there's no built-in option to permanently enable Night Shift in Mac OSX Sierra, we can leverage a combination of techniques to achieve this desired outcome. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Using the "Night Shift" settings:
- Open System Preferences on your Mac.
- Navigate to Displays.
- Click on the Night Shift tab.
- You will notice a slider that allows you to manually adjust the color temperature of your screen.
- Drag the slider to your desired warmth level.
2. Using the "Auto" feature:
- While the Night Shift settings allow manual control over the color temperature, we need to automate this process to ensure consistent warmth throughout the day.
- Click on the Schedule button.
- Disable the "Night Shift" option by unchecking the "Schedule Night Shift" box.
- This will disable the automatic scheduling of Night Shift during specific timeframes, but it will also allow you to control the color temperature manually.
3. Using the "Color Filters" feature:
- The Color Filters option in Accessibility provides a more granular approach to controlling screen color.
- Open System Preferences and select Accessibility.
- Click on the Display tab.
- Check the box for "Color Filters".
- From the drop-down menu, select "Custom".
- Here, you can fine-tune the color temperature and saturation levels to your liking.
4. Using a Third-Party App:
- For users seeking more advanced customization and automation options, there are third-party apps available that can permanently enable Night Shift.
- These apps offer features like custom schedules, color profiles, and even automatic adjustments based on your current location and time of day.
- Some popular options include f.lux, Iris, and Twilight.
Considerations and Alternatives
While the techniques described above effectively achieve permanent Night Shift functionality in Mac OSX Sierra, it's important to be aware of a few considerations:
- Battery Life: Constant use of Night Shift might slightly impact battery life, as the display will require more energy to maintain the warmer color temperature.
- Eye Strain: While Night Shift is designed to reduce eye strain, prolonged use of any single color temperature might lead to discomfort for some users.
- Alternative Solutions: If you're concerned about the potential downsides of permanent Night Shift, explore other options such as reducing screen brightness, using blue light filtering glasses, or setting appropriate screen time limits.
Conclusion
Enabling Night Shift permanently in Mac OSX Sierra can be a beneficial practice for those seeking to reduce eye strain, improve sleep quality, and optimize their digital well-being. By leveraging the built-in settings or exploring third-party apps, you can personalize your screen's color temperature to your preferences and achieve the desired level of warmth throughout the day. Remember to carefully consider the potential impact on battery life and eye strain, and adjust accordingly to find the optimal balance for your specific needs.
Remember, using Night Shift effectively is about finding a balance that meets your needs and preferences. By carefully adjusting the settings and experimenting with different techniques, you can customize the feature to enhance your digital experience and enjoy the benefits of a warmer screen throughout the day.
