Studio Display Firmware Update 16.4 provides support for in-field recalibration using the Apple Pro Display Calibrator tool and your own radio spectrometer.
- What’s happening? Apple has released new firmware for its 27-inch Studio Display, enabling custom calibration of an external monitor costing $1,599.
- Why care? Pro customers can now use their own spectroradiometer to recalibrate their Studio Display for specific color workflows.
- What to do? With Studio Display connected to your Mac, run Software Update to download and install the new firmware.
Studio Display Firmware 16.4 Enables Custom Calibration
According to an Apple support document listing changes to the Studio Display software, the Studio Display 16.4 firmware update includes minor stability improvements and the aforementioned custom calibration feature.
- Added support for re-calibrating the display in the field using the Pro Display Calibrator. Includes certain color workflows that may require custom calibration with your own spectroradiometer.
- Minor stability improvements
You can update the Studio Display firmware from System Preferences → General → Software Update (requires macOS Ventura 13.3 or later. To see your current macOS version, click About This Mac from the Apple menu. The version number will appear next to macOS in the About This Mac window.
Individual calibration is a must for creative professionals
Calibration will be a great feature for creative professionals who can now customize their Studio Display for specific workflows like graphic design or video editing using their own hardware and Apple’s Pro Display Calibrator tool.
For those interested, Apple provides the following support document for measuring and adjusting the calibration of Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
- Adjust the calibration of your Apple Pro Display XDR or Apple Studio Display.
- Measure the calibration of your Apple Pro Display XDR and Apple Studio Display
- Fine-tune Apple Display Calibration
- Download the Pro Display XDR Calibrator App
How to install Studio Display 16.4 firmware
As mentioned, click System Preferences from the Apple menu, then choose General → Software Update to download the latest Studio Display firmware.
The monitor must be connected to your Mac (which must be running at least macOS Monterey 12.3) in order to download the update. Don’t unplug your monitor while updating or you could end up with a brick studio display.
You may see an ellipsis icon during a display refresh, or a message asking you not to turn off your device. If you see a blank screen, that’s fine too.
To check the version number of the currently installed firmware, press and hold the Option key while clicking System Information from the Apple menu, then choose Graphics/Displays from the left side of the screen.