Buzz
Apple's Night Shift feature shifts your screen to a warmer, orange hue in the evening, aiming to reduce eye strain. While it’s suggested that this might improve sleep quality for nighttime computer users, scientific evidence on its effectiveness remains inconclusive.
However, customizing this feature can be challenging, as it only allows you to set a schedule, keep it active until sunrise, or tweak the color temperature. For professionals like designers or video editors who rely on accurate color representation, greater control over Night Shift could be a game-changer. That’s where Shifty comes in—a free menu bar tool that lets you effortlessly enable or disable Night Shift, or deactivate it for specific apps or websites.
To begin, download the latest version and move it to your Applications folder. Launch Shifty, and a setup wizard will walk you through the necessary permissions. Once configured, the app operates from the menu bar, offering quick access to toggle Night Shift, adjust the red-shift intensity, and more.
The true advantage lies in the ability to automatically deactivate Night Shift when specific apps or websites are launched. For instance, designers who rely on accurate color representation can ensure Night Shift turns off while using Figma. Simply open Figma in your browser, click the Night Shift button, and select Disable for Figma.com to set it up.
Once configured, Night Shift will automatically disable when Figma is open and re-enable when you switch to other tasks. This functionality can be applied to multiple apps and websites, offering a balanced solution—keeping Night Shift active only when it doesn’t interfere with your workflow.
Within the settings, you’ll discover additional customization options, such as enabling Shifty to launch at startup and the ability to control both True Tone and Night Shift. True Tone, for the uninitiated, adapts your screen’s colors to align with the surrounding lighting conditions. While helpful, True Tone can be counterproductive for tasks demanding precise color accuracy, making it worthwhile to experiment with toggling this feature. Additionally, Shifty offers custom keyboard shortcuts for users who prefer navigating settings without relying on a mouse.
