This repository provides a lightweight way to keep macOS using the discrete GPU (dGPU) — specifically designed for Intel-based MacBook Pros (e.g. 2019 16") that have both integrated (Intel UHD) and discrete (AMD Radeon) graphics.

⚠️ macOS 13+ (Ventura / Sonoma / Tahoe) heavily restricts GPU control.
On these versions, this script ensures gpuswitch = 0 (prefers dGPU),
but full hardware enforcement may still require disabling Automatic Graphics Switching or using an external display.

mac-force-dgpu/
├── README.md
├── scripts/
│   ├── force_dgpu.sh
│   └── check_gpu
└── launchd/
    └── com.user.force_dgpu.plist

sudo cp scripts/force_dgpu.sh /usr/local/bin/
sudo cp scripts/check_gpu /usr/local/bin/
sudo cp launchd/com.user.force_dgpu.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/force_dgpu.sh /usr/local/bin/check_gpu

sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.user.force_dgpu.plist

The daemon will:

• Run force_dgpu.sh once at startup/login
• Run again every 5 minutes to ensure dGPU preference is applied

A minimal shell script that sets macOS power mode to prefer the discrete GPU.

#!/bin/zsh
/usr/bin/pmset -a gpuswitch 0
exit 0

Defines a background job that runs the script periodically.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
 "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>Label</key>
    <string>com.user.force_dgpu</string>
    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
    <array>
        <string>/usr/local/bin/force_dgpu.sh</string>
    </array>
    <key>RunAtLoad</key>
    <true/>
    <key>StartInterval</key>
    <integer>300</integer>
    <key>StandardOutPath</key>
    <string>/tmp/force_dgpu.daemon.log</string>
    <key>StandardErrorPath</key>
    <string>/tmp/force_dgpu.daemon.err</string>
</dict>
</plist>

A diagnostic helper to view which GPU currently drives your display.

#!/bin/zsh
/usr/sbin/system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType 2>/dev/null | awk "
/Chipset Model:/ {chip=\$0}
/Display Type:/ {
  if (chip != \"\") {
    print chip;
    print \$0;
    print \"\";
    chip=\"\";
  }
}"

Usage:

check_gpu

Output example:

Chipset Model: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M
Display Type: Built-In Retina LCD

→ means your internal display is using the discrete GPU.

pmset -g | grep gpuswitch
# should show: gpuswitch 0

check_gpu
# should show: Built-In Retina LCD under Radeon Pro

If still shows Intel UHD:

• Disable “Automatic graphics switching” in System Settings → Battery
• Reboot with power adapter plugged in
• Or connect an external monitor (forces dGPU)

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.user.force_dgpu.plist
sudo rm /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.user.force_dgpu.plist
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/force_dgpu.sh /usr/local/bin/check_gpu

• Apple removed official dGPU control APIs after macOS 12; pmset gpuswitch may no longer fully force dGPU.
• On macOS 26 “Tahoe” and later, the OS may override manual GPU settings for power efficiency.
• The most reliable way to force dGPU:
  1. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching
  2. Keep power adapter plugged in
  3. Or attach an external display (Thunderbolt / HDMI / DisplayPort)

Inspired by community fixes for hybrid MacBook Pros (2015–2019).
Maintained and simplified for modern macOS environments by wang2. Written all the stuff by ChatGPT 5.1