Inspect Displays and GPU with system_profiler

system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType prints every connected display's resolution, scaled modes, and graphics chip.

macOShardwaredisplayDiagnosticsLow risk

Run `system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType` and read the Resolution, UI Looks like, and Chipset Model lines.

01Command

Command

$ system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType

02What it does

The Displays pane shows sliders but not the full truth: whether the panel is running at its native resolution, what UI scale is actually rendered, and which GPU is active on dual-GPU machines. This report answers all three and is faster than About This Mac > more info. It also lists external displays by connection type — Thunderbolt, HDMI, AirPlay — which helps when an external screen looks blurry and you suspect a non-native resolution or a cable fallback.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

system_profiler — hardware reports (macOS man page)
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: SPDisplaysDataType reports connected displays, resolutions, UI scaling, color depth and the GPU in use.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings

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