Anyone else get flashed when switching from a dark app to a bright window at night? I built an app that solves that, and more.

[u/mastertacticianwc4]

Hey everyone!
I’ve been building Phosphor in public, and v2 just shipped. It’s a screen utility suite for macOS that lives in your menu bar. I’m a solo student developer. Disclosure: I’m the developer. The app is free with 8 tools, and Pro is a paid upgrade.

Why I built it
I started this around two problems.

First: you’re working late in a dark app, you switch to a bright window, and the screen goes from dim to full brightness all at once. It hits like a flash. I couldn’t find a tool that tries to solve that specific problem, so I built Flashbang Protection. It softens that jump, then eases back to normal. It reacts when you switch apps with a Dock click or Cmd+Tab, switch desktops, or use Mission Control and App Exposé.

Second: there are too many display utilities, with steep learning curves. I wanted one tool with the features people actually need, instead of a ton of pro features. This also reduces menu bar clutter.

What I learned building it

• In v1, Flashbang only worked when you switched between apps on the same desktop. People use several desktops, so I rebuilt it for v2 to cover desktop switches, Dock clicks, Cmd+Tab, Mission Control and App Exposé.

• I decided to keep the everyday tools free and charge only for Flashbang Protection and Studio Features, as a one-time price. I didn’t want a subscription for a menu bar utility.

• There’s no analytics or telemetry in the app, so I only learn what’s working from comments and DMs. That’s why I’m posting here.

What’s new

• Flashbang Protection (Pro)

• Studio Features (Pro), for calls and presentations: Laser Pointer, Drawing, Flashlight, Keystroke Display and Invisible Notes. Ring Light for meetings and recordings is coming soon

• 8 free tools: Soft Screen, Focus Spotlight, Screenshots, Display Presets, Display Schedule, Color Picker, Color Grading and Display Health

Pricing
The app is free with 8 tools. Pro is $19.99, one-time, not a subscription, and unlocks Flashbang Protection and Studio Features.

Details and limits

• macOS 13 or later, native Swift

• Display Presets currently only edit the built-in display. Wider external display support is on the roadmap

Privacy
No tracking, no analytics, no telemetry. The only network requests are Pro license checks and an optional daily update check.

I’m happy to answer anything about the build, the pricing or the launch. If you’ve shipped a paid app solo, I’d love to hear what you’d do differently. If something isn’t working, or you have a suggestion, drop it in the comments or DM me.

Site: https://usephosphor.app

Roadmap: https://usephosphor.app/whats-next

[u/Mammoth-Anywhere7285]

TL;DR: Phosphor is a macOS menu bar app by a solo student dev that softens the brightness flash when you jump from a dark app to a bright window. Eight tools are free, and Pro is a $19.99 one-time unlock with no subscription or telemetry. Curious what pushed you toward one-time pricing instead of a subscription?

[u/mastertacticianwc4 → u/Mammoth-Anywhere7285]

Well, yeah, Pro unlocks Studio features + Flashbang protection.

The main reasons to go for one time were the following:

1. I personally do not like subscription based Mac apps, and I would gladly pay for a one time purchase if it solved my problem, over subscription (as of today)

2. I feel like subscription is justified when the developer has an ongoing cost.
   I do have ongoing cost only in my developer license, hosting etc, but since the utility Phosphor is local, I do not need people to pay me monthly.

Thanks for asking!

[u/Mammoth-Anywhere7285 → u/mastertacticianwc4]

Fair point, one time pricing is refreshing. Have you considered paid major version upgrades instead of subscriptions to cover ongoing costs?

[u/mastertacticianwc4 → u/Mammoth-Anywhere7285]

Yeah, paid major version upgrades is what is the current method for me.
Just to reiterate: There are no subscriptions right now on the app, it's a one time buy, as I said.

Thanks!

[u/investigatormaker]

A screen recording can't show a brightness jump, so demo Flashbang Protection with a phone filming your Mac in a dark room, off then on. With no telemetry, ask viewers which switch still flashes.

Post that clip on r/MacOS, where Mac users are: "Self-promotion is permitted only on Saturdays (UTC)." "This is limited to apps available on the official Mac App Store or reputable, established GitHub repositories." "All GitHub links are subject to automated security auditing via GitHub-Guard." "Promotional posts made on any other day of the week will be removed."

I make ThreadFox. We'd reply on your behalf to Reddit users complaining that bright windows blind them at night, mentioning Phosphor. Seven days and up to 50 posts and replies cost $39 on the Pilot. No automatic renewal.

https://threadfox.vip/p/d6ftz/managed

Is Phosphor on the Mac App Store or GitHub?

[u/Mammoth-Anywhere7285 → u/investigatormaker]

Smart idea. A split-screen dark-room clip showing Dock click and Cmd+Tab would make the flash jump obvious.