After the macOS 27 update, my laptop (14" m4pro) no longer switches to dark mode automatically, only manually. I have to manually turn on Night Shift with my own Schedule (22:00 to 7:00) to force it to switch. If I choose Turned off or From night till dawn, Mac chooses light mode regardless of what mode has been set in settings.
How can I fix this?
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 27.0
Have you rebooted your Mac? If not, that's the first step. If that does not help, then see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode. That process performs some system cleanup and clears caches, and also disables 3rd party extensions that may cause problems.
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
If that does not correct the issue, test in a new user account. A newly-created user account will have all settings at default, and if the issue does not occur in that new account then it provides guidance on what may need to be changed to correct the issue.
Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support
Once the testing is complete, the new account can easily be deleted.
Delete a user or group on Mac – Apple Support
Those steps will help to isolate the problem.
If the issue occurs in safe mode and a new user account, then it's most likely a bona fide bug. Bugs can be reported to Apple here:
Have you rebooted your Mac? If not, that's the first step. If that does not help, then see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode. That process performs some system cleanup and clears caches, and also disables 3rd party extensions that may cause problems.
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
If that does not correct the issue, test in a new user account. A newly-created user account will have all settings at default, and if the issue does not occur in that new account then it provides guidance on what may need to be changed to correct the issue.
Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support
Once the testing is complete, the new account can easily be deleted.
Delete a user or group on Mac – Apple Support
Those steps will help to isolate the problem.
If the issue occurs in safe mode and a new user account, then it's most likely a bona fide bug. Bugs can be reported to Apple here:
On macOS 27, System Settings >> Appearance >> Auto switches the Mac between Light and Dark according to the Night Shift schedule.
Apple specifically states that when Night Shift is on, the appearance is Dark. (Apple Support)
Check that Appearance >> Auto is selected, then go to System Settings >> Displays >> Night Shift >> Schedule.
If you select Sunset to Sunrise, make sure Location Services is enabled under System Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Location Services, because macOS uses your location to determine sunset and sunrise. (Apple Support)
To use this option, you must turn on Location Services.
In your case, the important detail is that Custom 22:00–07:00 works, whereas Sunset to Sunrise does not.
If Appearance remains Light when the Night Shift schedule indicates that Night Shift should be on, the behaviour differs from what Apple documents for Auto Appearance.
At that point, the appropriate next step is to report the specific behaviour to Apple, including that the Custom 22:00–07:00 schedule works but Sunset to Sunrise does not.
Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue
You can also check System Settings >> General >> Software Update for a newer macOS 27 release.
Apple's relevant documentation is Use Night Shift on your Mac and Personalize your MacBook Pro.
One important clarification: Apple's documentation establishes what should happen, but it does not identify the cause of your particular failure. So I would not call this a confirmed macOS 27 bug unless Apple subsequently acknowledges it.
Automatic Dark Mode and Night Shift not working after macOS update
