How screen dimming works
When you move your cursor from one computer to another, CursorHop detects the switch and automatically dims the screen you just left. The inactive display fades to your configured brightness level, reducing visual clutter and making it obvious which screen is active. When you move back, the screen instantly restores to full brightness.
The dimming happens at the OS level - CursorHop uses overlay alpha blending on Windows and CoreGraphics on macOS. This means it works with any application, any display, and any resolution. No monitor firmware tricks, no DDC/CI commands - it's pure software dimming that works instantly.
Adjustable brightness level
You control how much the inactive screen dims. The brightness level is a slider from 0.0 (fully black) to 1.0 (no dimming at all). Most users settle around 0.2-0.4 - dim enough to clearly indicate the screen is inactive, bright enough to still glance at content if needed. The setting is per-device, so you can dim your secondary monitor more aggressively than your primary.
Instant restore on return
When your cursor moves back to a dimmed screen, brightness restores immediately - no fade-in delay, no gradual transition. The screen is fully bright by the time your cursor arrives. CursorHop uses a smart restoration system that only restores brightness when no other peers are still connected, preventing flicker in multi-device setups.
Reduces distractions
Working across multiple computers means multiple screens competing for your attention. A bright display showing an IDE, email client, or chat application pulls your eye away from the screen you're actually using. Dimming inactive screens creates a clear visual hierarchy - the bright screen is where your focus belongs. It's a small change that makes multi-computer work feel significantly more comfortable.
Platform-specific implementation
On Windows, CursorHop creates a transparent overlay window that covers the entire display and adjusts its alpha value to dim the screen. This approach is fast, reliable, and works across all Windows versions from Windows 10 onwards. On macOS, CursorHop uses CoreGraphics gamma ramp adjustments for smooth, native-feeling dimming that respects the system color profile.
Works with any display
Screen dimming works with any monitor - internal laptop displays, external monitors, ultrawide screens, 4K panels, and multi-monitor setups. It doesn't depend on monitor hardware features or specific display connections. If your OS can show a desktop on it, CursorHop can dim it.
Screen dimming availability
Screen dimming is available on all paid plans (Pro, Pro Plus, and Max). The 7-day trial includes core features like mouse/keyboard sharing, clipboard sync, and encryption, but screen dimming requires a paid plan.