Flexible scaling or custom resolution gone after Sequoia update + FIX

[Naz513]

I was able to select HiDPI prior to the new Mac OS update (Sequoia 15.0). Now, it only lets me select HiDPI at 3360x1400. I am currently on version 3.0.5 Build 33816. I am using 14-inch Macbook Pro (Nov 2023 Edition) with an Apple M3 Pro chip on an UltraWide LG display using the DisplayPort at 144hz.

[waydabber]

Hi there - you might need to reapply configuration settings - simply turn configuration editing off and on and then hit Apply and follow instructions. Let me know if this does not work!

[Naz513]

Apologies, but I am not following; I don't know where the configuration editing option is. Please provide a step by step instructions. I appreciate your help in advance.

[waydabber]

It's here:

Follow this on how to set up flexible scaling or create custom resolutions:

https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay/wiki/Fully-scalable-HiDPI-desktop

[kelvin-du]

Hi, for my case, this option has been off since the beginning. I used to have "3840x1600 in HDPI and 144hz" as an option in this list. But now it's gone

[kelvin-du]

@Naz513 hey I think you need to set the refresh rate to 120 and then 3840x1600 HiDPI will show up again

[Naz513]

@kelvin-du, Thank you so much! It worked!!!

[teodoradriann]

@waydabber i dont understand what i need to do please help. i also dont have the pro version if thats needed for this fix

[teodoradriann]

yes thats correct, only 60 and 100hz refresh rate can do hiDPI. do you think it will ever be available for higher refresh rates?

[waydabber]

Not sure, it entirely depends on Apple, they for sure have some reasons not allowing higher refresh rates now.

[danidz96]

Hi, how can I set 3440x1440p as HiDPI?

[waydabber]

This resolution as HiDPI is available on Macs with Pro level Apple Silicon Chip only (or Intel Macs with AMD GPU).

[danidz96]

Do you know an alternative or workarround for the basic M4?

[gltjk]

Hi @waydabber I have tried reapplying configuration settings as you said (and also a full rebooting of MacOS in a following attempt) but the problem is still there. Now I am stuck with 1920x1080 HiDPI 60Hz and all larger resolutions, 3840x2160 and 2560x1440 are not. Also, the flexible scaling is not available even if the option is on. These didn't happen until I upgrade to MacOS Sequoia and BetterDisplay 3 today. I'm not sure if my situation here is relevant to this discussion or not. Would you please give some advice?

[Naz513]

Yeah, I tried following the above mentioned instructions and still don't have HiHPI in the resolution I used to have in the previous MacOS.

[doubleweb]

Similar as other users, immediately after the upgrade I experienced the same issue with not being able to use HiDPI on my 3440 x 1440 monitor.
I tried like all the suggested steps but without luck.

[RoyCo5]

Hi, just upgraded to Sequoia and immediately noticed that my resolution was changed. i checked better display and noticed this:

I wonder why does it says "unavailable" ? is it because i dont have pro or because the resolution is just no longer available due to sequoia? previously i didnt change to this resolution through BetterDisplay, i used Displayplacer and changed to a mode with that resolution via terminal, but now i dont see this mode on displayplacer as well (the current mode is just as previous one but lacking the "scaling: on" field at the end)

Will purchasing PRO solve this issue?
The resolution was 165hz, 3440x1440p 8-bit HIDPI.
now the default is 165hz, 3440x1440p 100-bit.

[waydabber]

It's just unavailable because the "Favorite modes" is a Pro feature. But other than that the resolution seems to be available in the list.

[RoyCo5]

Hi man,
Thank you for the swift response!

So you are saying that purchasing a pro will allow me to have the previous resolution of The resolution was 165hz, 3440x1440p 8-bit HIDPI? please note that displayplacer doesnt show it as an option now as well (and it used to..) because im thinking that due to some weird Sequoia changes the previous fix no longer works).
Additionally, Lunar doesnt show this setting as an option as well..

Honestly, i dont need any of the Pro features, just that, and i am willing to purchase it only for this reason. is it possible to receive a free trial just to make sure it works before i purchase the pro?

[RoyCo5]

by the way, when looking at the resolution list based on filters i dont see the previous resolution as well:

Using the monitor Alienware AW3423DWF

[RoyCo5]

Should we downgrade to MacOS Sonoma to have our previous monitor settings?

[waydabber]

No, I don't think the issue is related to Pro at all (I was mentioned that only about the favorites section, but that is not the core issue here :)) - you should probably lower the refresh rate and see if you have that HiDPI resolution back. Alternatively you can try a LoDPI variant. Sonoma changed some of the max resolution limits especially for high refresh rate and HDR modes.

[gltjk]

Hi, I tried lowering the refresh rate - actually there are only two options (60Hz and 30Hz) - but still stuck with at most 1920x1080. I don't think this is about MacOS's limit either because when I'm connected to another monitor I still get HiDPI at 144Hz with 3440x1440 and 2580x1080. (I'm running MacOS Sequoia 15.0 on a M3 Max MBP.)

[waydabber]

You are right, if you are stuck at 1920x1080 then something else is wrong probably. It might be a connection issue?

[gltjk]

You are right, if you are stuck at 1920x1080 then something else is wrong probably. It might be a connection issue?

@waydabber Hi I just found my fix and can't wait to share here. It turns out that after the upgrade (I upgraded MacOS to Sequoia and BetterDisplay to V3 from V2 at the same time so I don't know exactly which to address), the native resolution became as low as hundreds of pixels! I edited it with the full resolution, and all display modes with HiDPI as well as flexible scaling were back :) Hope this can help others here. 😄

[waydabber]

Hmm. That's interesting, not sure why that happened. :) Yes, if the native resolution override is erroneously specified, you won't have the proper flexible scaling resolutions indeed. Thanks for pointing this out!

[dstyp]

Same issue. Available modes and behavior is completely different after updating to Sequoia. Have done literally no changes whatsoever but installing macOS so it is definitely it.

[waydabber]

Sure. Can you clarify exactly what "available modes and behavior is completely different after updating to Sequoia" mean so I can better understand what could be the issue?

As a generic advice, you can follow this to reset everything app related so you can start setting things up again: https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay/wiki/Safe-mode,-app-reset,-app-removal#exhaustive-reset

[dstyp]

Thanks, I followed the instructions and it seemed to help a bit. Now the biggest difference is that the main 4K HDR VRR display I'm using is unable to render scaled mode at 3008x1692 (Choosing 2560x1440 and 100hz will allow HDR mode and is the highest resolution and refresh rate combination I've found that allows it apart from native 4K) just like macOS used to be while maintaining 120hz and HDR. This was a key usp for me using BetterDisplay as it made it possible with 120hz and HDR mode for nice visibility/zoom and brightness. It works ok running at 4K now though but I need binoculars to see anything in the Xcode UI 🥸.

Don't know if you have any more tips. Happy to try some things out for sure to get close to that previous work config for my work flow.

edit: I created an issue earlier that was removed where I outline the hardware involved - #3423.
Also - hidpi mode is not on. It seems like it's either that or hdr if not lower hz.

edit2: played around a bit and seemingly random it now allows the desired scaled mode in hdr at 100hz. Not sure what this is about but I'm happy :)

[waydabber]

HDR is known to introduce added limitations. There are some general limitations (you can check under Display Information... for the display, look for the line max GPU horizontal resolution), there are HDR mode specific limitations and there are added limitations that depend on which port you are using and how many and what kind of other displays are connected or how the display reports itself (some displays will produce a 5K framebuffer limitation on the HDMI port for the M2 Studio at 60Hz/no-HDR for example even if the display is connected alone, all while the port is supposed to easily output 8K or high refresh rate 4K).

[dstyp]

So I understand, this is new in macOS 15 and Apple changed things around ?

[waydabber]

Limitations were there before, Apple tweaked them in Sonoma 14.1 (introducing new ones) and now they limited stuff on some configs even more for some reason, yes.

[devilsmoke]

Also its a new problem with Macos Sequoia i have. Macbook m2pro and Samsung odyssey g6.
On Sonoma i could use 2k resolution, 240hz and pick HIDPI in better display application, but now if i will use this, my resolution dropped down or i need to off HIDPI to use 2k 240hz with it.
I hope its a software but, because it worked on Sonoma

[waydabber]

Yes, the limits are lower with Sequoia.

[devilsmoke]

Yes, the limits are lower with Sequoia.

btw after last Better display update, its working again