HingeGlowWill it work on my Mac?
Not every Apple Silicon Mac qualifies. Your Mac needs a lid angle sensor that the app can actually read.
Find the model, chip, and macOS version in → About This Mac. Compatibility guide ↗
This is based on your model selection. The website does not automatically inspect your Mac’s sensor.
Model compatibility
Eligible families have the relevant sensor hardware. HingeGlow has not been tested on every model; an actual sensor reading is still required.
| Model | Status |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air M2 / M3 / M4 / M5 | Sensor check required 13/15-inch, 2022–2026. Sensor-equipped family; actual angle access must still be checked. |
| MacBook Pro 14/16-inch (2021–2026) | Sensor check required M1 Pro/Max, M2 Pro/Max, and M3/M4/M5 families. Excludes 13-inch Touch Bar models. |
| MacBook Air M1 (2020) | Unsupported Not supported by HingeGlow. This model is known not to expose the required angle reading. |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch M1/M2 (Touch Bar) | Unsupported These differ from the 14/16-inch Pro models despite their M1/M2 chips. Not supported. |
| Intel MacBook / MacBook Air / Pro | Unsupported The current app targets Apple Silicon. Intel models are unsupported even if a sensor exists. |
| iMac / Mac mini / Studio / Mac Pro | Unsupported Desktop Macs do not have the built-in hinged display this effect requires. |
| MacBook Neo / other / not sure | Unverified This model is unverified. Confirm support before buying or downloading. |
Also required
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Newer Macs require at least the OS version they shipped with.
- The effect applies only to the built-in MacBook display. An external monitor can stay connected while the built-in display is open.
- Sensor detection and Screen Recording permission are separate. Granting screen access cannot add a missing sensor.
- A closed lid or waking Mac may temporarily stop reporting an angle; this does not mean permanent incompatibility.
- The web demo is a simulation available on any device. A working demo is not evidence of app compatibility.
Reference sources
As of September 2026. Apple repair manuals document the sensor hardware; the sensor project documents access and known exceptions. This is not an Apple certification of HingeGlow.
Apple · MacBook Air M2 repair manual ↗Apple · MacBook Pro 14″ (2021) repair manual ↗Apple · MacBook Air M5 repair manual ↗Apple · MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max repair manual ↗Apple · MacBook Pro model identification ↗Apple · MacBook Air model identification ↗LidAngleSensor · sensor access and known exceptions ↗