At last week’s product launch event, in addition to hardware specification upgrades, one of the most striking highlights of the new-generation MacBook Pro was the long-awaited return of the glowing Apple logo on the body. When this design first appeared on the big screen, it immediately drew enthusiastic applause from the audience and became one of the most attention-grabbing elements of the entire event. However, Apple also took into account that not all users like a brand logo that stays lit, so it simultaneously provided an off feature, allowing users to configure it according to their personal preference.
The glowing Apple logo returns on the new MacBook Pro, and Apple shows you how to turn it off with one click.
This new MacBook Pro, equipped with the PROLED XDR display, marks the official return of the glowing Apple logo after a ten-year absence. Previous MacBooks used the screen’s backlight module to illuminate the Apple logo on the outside of the chassis, but as display technology evolved, the new models no longer have a traditional backlight structure, so Apple adopted an entirely new technical solution to achieve the same visual effect.
According to tests by media and developers, the glowing logo on the new MacBook Pro works slightly differently than before. In addition to adjusting its glow intensity based on screen brightness, the system also uses the lighting conditions detected by the ambient light sensor to automatically change the logo’s brightness. For example, in dim environments, the Apple logo dims to avoid being harsh on the eyes, while in bright places it becomes relatively brighter to remain clearly visible.
The glowing Apple logo on the new MacBook Pro is controllable by software. It has 25kHz PWM and per-device calibration. CoreBrightness controls the relationship between screen and logo brightness. The brightness of the logo is adjusted differently depending on the enclosure color https://t.co/baqBEkzJUo
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) November 4, 2026
In addition, when the laptop lid is closed, the illumination will automatically stop working, and the Apple logo will return to a metallic mirror finish, with an appearance similar to the polished metal design used since 2016. Therefore, even when it is not illuminated, it can maintain a clean and premium chassis appearance.
Regarding this new design, Apple also recently releasedOfficial support documentation, further explaining how it works. According to the official statement, when a Mac is awake, the Apple logo on the back of the built-in display lights up and automatically adjusts its brightness based on screen brightness and ambient light, balancing recognizability and user experience.
If users do not want the Apple logo to stay lit, Apple also provides an official way to turn it off. As long as you have administrator privileges, you can enter the specified command in Terminal to disable this feature; once executed, the Apple logo will no longer light up:
sudo defaults write com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightMode -int 0
If you want to re-enable the glowing effect in the future, simply enter the following command in Terminal, and the system will restore the default settings and make the Apple logo glow again:
sudo defaults delete com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightMode
It is worth noting that if users reinstall macOS, the relevant settings will be reset, and the glowing Apple logo will be enabled again. Therefore, users who prefer to disable this feature may need to run the above command again after reinstalling the system.
For longtime Mac users, the return of the glowing Apple logo undoubtedly brings a strong sense of nostalgia; and for those who prefer a more understated style, Apple’s toggleable design also allows this classic element to balance aesthetics with personalization needs.
Source: KOCPC Chinese