macOS Edge Light: Your Mac Is Now a Ring Light

Apple just dropped macOS Tahoe 26.2, and buried in the update notes is a feature that might change your video call game: Edge Light.

The idea is brilliantly simple. Instead of fumbling with desk lamps or shelling out for a ring light, your Mac's display itself becomes the light source - casting a soft glow around the screen edges to illuminate your face during video calls.

How Edge Light Works

When enabled, Edge Light creates a luminous border around your display that acts like fill lighting. Apple's Neural Engine analyzes your face position, size, and placement in frame, then the Image Signal Processor adjusts brightness to match your environment.

The clever part? It automatically recedes when your cursor approaches the display edge, so you can still access menus and controls without a glowing border in your way.

Getting Started

If you've updated to macOS 26.2, here's how to turn it on:

Open any video call app (FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, WebEx - it works with all of them)
Click the green video camera icon in your menu bar
Select Edge Light from the dropdown

That's it. Your display border should now glow.

Customization Options

Click the chevron next to Edge Light to reveal two sliders:

Brightness - Controls the width of the illuminated border
Color temperature - Adjusts from cool (blue-ish) to warm (yellow-ish) tones

This lets you match the effect to your room's ambient lighting for a more natural look.

Auto-Activation (2024+ Macs)

If you have a Mac from 2024 or later, there's a bonus setting: automatic low-light activation. Enable this, and your Mac will detect dim environments and flip on Edge Light without you touching anything.

Requirements

Any Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or newer)
macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later
Works with built-in camera, Continuity Camera, or external webcams
Also works with Studio Display when connected to Apple silicon

Does It Actually Work?

Here's the reality check: Edge Light works best in genuinely dim conditions - not pitch black, but when you're in a darker room at night or your blinds are drawn. It's not going to compete with a proper ring light or well-positioned desk lamp.

User feedback has been mixed. Some report subtle but noticeable improvements, while others struggle to see much difference. The effect is more pronounced on smaller displays; if you're on a 27" monitor or wider, the border lighting may not reach your face as effectively.

Think of it as emergency lighting for unexpected calls rather than a replacement for proper setup.

When Edge Light Makes Sense

Quick calls when you haven't set up proper lighting
Evening calls when natural light has faded
Travel situations with hotel room lighting
Backup when your usual light source fails

When to Stick with Real Lights

Important presentations or interviews
Regular daily standups (set up proper lighting once)
Extended calls where consistent quality matters
Any call where looking your best is non-negotiable

Testing Your Lighting

Edge Light or not, testing before the call matters. Use MeetingReady to preview exactly how you'll appear - check if Edge Light is giving you enough illumination or if you need to flip on a lamp.

The combination of Edge Light plus one other light source often works better than Edge Light alone. Use your preview to find the balance.

The Bottom Line

Edge Light is a thoughtful quality-of-life feature that turns hardware you already own into lighting you might need. It won't replace dedicated lighting equipment, but for those moments when you're caught in the dark - literally - it's nice to have a one-click solution.

If you're on Apple silicon and haven't updated to macOS 26.2 yet, this is one more reason to hit that update button.