How To Check Screen Resolution Mac

Download Article

To change the display resolution on your Mac, click the Apple menu → click System Preferences → click Display → click the Scaled option → select the resolution or display scaling you want to use.

1

Click the Apple menu. This is located in the upper-left corner.
2

Click System Preferences . You can also open System Preferences by searching "preferences" in your spotlight search or by opening the Finder, navigating to Applications, then choosing "System Preferences."^[1]
3
Click the Display option. If you don't see this, click the Show All button at the top of the System Preferences window.
- You'll see an option for "Resolution" under the Display menu.^[2]
4

Click the Scaled radio button. You'll have to change this from the default.^[3]
5

Double-click the resolution option you want to use. Selecting a "Larger text" option is the same as choosing a lower resolution. Choosing a "More space" option is the same as selecting a higher resolution.^[4]

1
Quit the app if it is already open. You can do this by clicking the app name in the menu bar and selecting Quit.
- You may need to enable Low Resolution mode for apps that are not displaying properly on a Retina display.
2

Click your desktop. This will make Finder the active program.
3

Click the Go menu.
4

Click Applications .
5

Click the application to highlight it.
6

Click the File menu.
7

Click Get Info .
8

Click the Open in Low Resolution box.
9

Close the Get Info box.
10

Double-click the app icon to open it. The app will open in Low Resolution mode.^[5]

Add New Question

Question

How do I reset my screen resolution on a Mac?

Josef Storzi
Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist

Josef Storzi is an Apple and Mobile Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner of Imobile LA, a mobile phone repair company based in Los Angeles, California. Josef specializes in repairing screens, charging ports, batteries, water damage, speakers, and microphones on all mobile phone brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Sony. He also specializes in tablet, laptop, and computer repairs as well as the pros and cons of recent mobile software updates.

Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Open your System Preferences. You can find this by either searching "preferences" in Spotlight search, or you can open "Finder," navigate to "Applications," then choose System Preferences." Once that's open, click on "Displays." There, you'll see an option for "Resolution." Change that from the default to "Scaled." Once you click on "Scaled," the resolutions available for your display will appear. You may select any resolution you desire.
Question

How do I change it to my own resolution that these methods do not support?

You cannot change your screen's resolution to custom values. This is because these apps aforementioned do not support it; you have to look for a third-party app that supports this function.