macOS 26.2 beta 2 adds a new Edge Light feature to improve the look of your video calls. As the name indicates, it will add a white light to the edges of your Mac’s display while you’re on a video call.
It’s like a built-in ring light that should improve your appearance when hopping on FaceTime to chat with friends or colleagues.
Edge Light will turn your MacBook into a better video-call machine
While Apple upgraded recent MacBooks with higher-resolution FaceTime cameras, video call quality still varies heavily depending on lighting conditions. A light source in front of the MacBook can drastically improve the overall image quality.
Apple’s new Edge Light feature in macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 2, which Apple released to developers Wednesday, solves this problem to a large extent. It adds a white ring of light around your MacBook’s display during calls, just like a ring light does for an iPhone.
Since MacBook displays can hit a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, the lighting should be bright and even enough to illuminate your face naturally. This will make you look clearer and more well-lit on camera.
Photo: Apple
Apple’s implementation goes a step further than just putting a simple ring of light around your MacBook’s screen. It uses the computer’s Neural Engine to make the Edge Light feature smarter, and automatically adjusts its brightness based on your face’s position, size and framing.
It can also detect mouse movement, and dim itself when you need to focus on other content on your Mac’s screen. Plus, you can fine-tune the color temperature using a slider, ranging from cool to warm.
Edge Light is limited to laptops with Apple silicon processors (M-series MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs). It works across all major video conferencing apps, including FaceTime, Google Meet and Zoom.
Apple says Edge Light will automatically enable itself on 2024 and newer MacBooks in low ambient lighting conditions. Additionally, it will also work on an Apple Studio Display when it’s connected to a compatible Mac.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
