The next Mac software update could bring ring light to your video calls, here's how

Apple MacBook

The latest macOS Tahoe 26.2 developer beta introduces Edge Light, a new virtual lighting effect designed to elevate video call quality on Apple Silicon Macs. By intelligently analysing your face and surroundings, it recreates the effect of a ring light without any physical hardware.

macOS 26.2 brings a notable upgrade for anyone who spends time on video calls. Apple has added a feature called Edge Light, a system-level video enhancement that uses software and on-device intelligence to brighten your face in low-light environments. Instead of requiring users to purchase an external ring light, Apple has built a virtual one directly into the display’s perimeter, using a soft glow around the screen’s edges to create a more flattering image.

Edge Light is more than a simple lighting overlay. It leans on the Neural Engine inside Apple Silicon to detect your face, determine your position within the frame, and adapt the lighting pattern so it falls naturally. This means the glow adjusts to your size and posture, offering a far more realistic effect compared to a generic light filter. Apple is blending several system components to make this possible, and the Image Signal Processor also plays a role by continuously tuning brightness levels to match the environment. The result is a dynamic lighting system that responds to changes in real time instead of locking you into a static preset.

There are also interface-level considerations. Apple has ensured that Edge Light will recede automatically when your cursor approaches the edges of the display. This prevents any obstruction while working or navigating windows, allowing the feature to blend into the background until it is needed. Apple has consistently tried to minimise intrusiveness in macOS effects, and this behaviour keeps Edge Light practical during long work sessions.

Edge Light sits alongside familiar video enhancements such as Portrait mode, Studio Light, Backgrounds, and Reactions. It is system-wide, meaning it works with all major conferencing apps including FaceTime, Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet, and others. Apple’s choice to integrate it at the OS level removes dependency on third-party app support and ensures consistent performance regardless of the platform you use.

The feature requires an Apple Silicon Mac. Any model with Apple Silicon can enable Edge Light manually, but newer Macs launched in 2024 or later gain an additional capability. These machines can automatically activate Edge Light when the system detects that the user is in a dimly lit room. Apple is clearly aiming to make high-quality video calls effortless by letting the system decide when extra lighting is needed.