The video above shows users how to set, change and view screen resolution on macOS. By default, it is difficult to tell what resolution you’re currently using on macOS. Instead of explicitly letting users view and choose their display resolution, Apple attempts to coax users into selecting a resolution that will make the display look best.
At times, however, users need a specific resolution for video recording or other tasks. This tutorial shows users how to use native macOS options to view more resolutions and how to use a third-party tool to gain access to an even larger list of custom resolution options.
Access display resolution settings in macOS
- Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner.
- Click on System Preferences.
- Click Displays.
- Click Display Settings.
View more resolution options in macOS
Hold the option ⌥ key on Mac keyboards or the ALT key on Windows keyboards and click on the Scaled option within the macOS display settings.
Use a third-party app to change macOS display resolutions
As shown in the video, if the resolution you’re looking for isn’t available after holding the option key and clicking “Scaled” within the display preferences, you can use third party applications to gain access to even more resolutions.
Generally, additional resolutions will create black bars on your display – like watching an old movie on a new TV. This will not affect screen recordings but may be unsightly to the user.
The best application for accessing more resolutions on macOS changes over time but I will keep the video on this page up-to-date with my opinion on what the top choice is.
