Apple has confirmed that the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display features an illuminated Apple logo on the back of its display. By default, the logo is lit whenever the Mac is awake and automatically adjusts brightness based on screen brightness and ambient light, using the device’s ambient light sensor.
In a support document, Apple published the Terminal command to disable the logo light: sudo defaults write com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightMode -int 0.
Today, MacRumors reported that designer Juan Buis released Backglow, a third-party app providing a graphical interface for the logo. It offers manual brightness, one-click off and a breathing mode. Backglow Pro (US$9 limited-time, then $15) adds Music mode that pulses to audio and Agents mode that blinks when Claude Code needs attention. Buis told MacRumors the logo uses a white LED and does not change colours.
John Gruber, cited by MacRumors, said an Apple representative gave the reason for adding the light: “Because it’s awesome.” Gruber also said Apple engineered a custom light source to enable the glow without adding lid thickness.
The illuminated logo was a hallmark of MacBooks before the 2016 redesign, which removed it. The new MacBook Pro brings it back.