Enable HiDPI for external monitor in Big Sur

How I can force HiDPI on external monitor 2560x1440 to use it as virtual 1280x720 in Big Sur?

RDM doesn't show any Retina resolution.

I tried to generate displayproductid-***.plist for my monitor using a script: codeclou.github.io/Display-Override-PropertyList-File-Parser-and-Generator-with-HiDPI-Support-For-Scaled-Resolutions/

But

Code Block
ioreg -l | grep "DisplayProductID"
ioreg -l | grep "DisplayVendorID"

returns nothing.

Also I tried this script: github.com/xzhih/one-key-hidpi - doesn't work, too.

Note that this folder cannot be modified even when SIP is disabled: /System/Library/Displays/Contents/Resources/Overrides/
Post not yet marked as solved Up vote post of wnsoft Down vote post of wnsoft
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  • Seriously its a huge problem, Just recently bought a Mac mini with m2 chip, and being a designer its very irritating to see pixelated display. I really love apple though, but these are the basic things to look at right, after a lot of hardwork was able to get this machine, now to have an expensive display feels like a big task, :) Peace.

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That must be fixed. This is a developer tool to test if an app runs with HiDPI. Apple does not need to turn it on by default. Just do it as it has been working before BigSur and allow to turn it on for developers. A small developer can not afford an apple certified monitor.

Same issue, spent hours trying to fix this... So now i just use my external monitor for web and upped the scale to 125% in chrome. Hope they fix this soon

Hi, I've met the same situation, and handle this by adding a 4k lock screen tool, and then can open hidpi, hope can help somebody

  • Could you please tell us what is 4k Lock Screen tool? Google doesn't make it clear. Please provide some description or a link.

  • Could you share with us more on the 4K Lock Screen tool? I am looking for turning on HiDPI for 3360x1890 for long time with the Mac mini m1 + apple XDR Display. I was used to use 3360x1890 with HIDPI on the Mac mini intel. Thanks thanks

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For me, this works:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true

Found at https://www.alphr.com/hidpi-mode-os-x/ .

Here is what helped me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpZHbKambto

https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDummy

Get this fixed, please...

Please add HiDPI to 2560x1440 24inch monitor

They're never gonna fix it. I found a good solution involving a free open source library. https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/sqwsh5/comment/k9nuaxq

thank you so much @vivek1401 it works like a charm on my 27inch external monitor

Hi there from 2023, I spent about 1 hour 30 minutes to solve the problem for MacBook Pro M1 13" + Apple Thunderbolt Display and it's works!

https://github.com/xzhih/one-key-hidpi