How can I keep HDR enabled after reconnecting or restarting?

Enable HDR on the display, then turn on App Menu > [display] > Configuration Protection > HDR Status. This Pro feature saves the desired on/off state and attempts to restore it when the display configuration changes.

HDR Status protects whether HDR is on or off. HDR Color Mode protects the connection’s color format. HDR Color Profile protects its color profile. Use the status setting when HDR itself turns off even though your preferred resolution and refresh rate return correctly.

BetterDisplay must remain running, and the current display mode and connection must support HDR. First confirm that you can turn HDR on manually in the setup you want to protect.

If HDR is missing from the available choices, see HDR at different HiDPI resolutions and refresh rates. If a supported HDR mode works manually but will not stay enabled, review Configuration Protection, including its saved values and suspension conditions.

For the rendering background, see how macOS scaling, HiDPI and LoDPI work.

macOS System Settings may still show your earlier selection after BetterDisplay restores the protected HDR state or profile. Leave the Displays pane and return to refresh it. Check the current state in BetterDisplay as well. Avoid toggling HDR just to refresh System Settings, because each toggle changes the display mode.