How to Turn Off Auto-Brightness and Set It Manually

Tap your device to see how.

In Settings β†’ Accessibility β†’ Display & Text Size, turn off 'Auto-Brightness' to keep your screen at whatever level you set manually.

In Settings β†’ Display, turn off 'Adaptive brightness' so the slider controls a fixed brightness level yourself.

Locking the brightness too high can noticeably increase battery drain, so it is worth picking a level that is comfortable without being excessive.

It helps if you find the screen constantly shifting brightness distracting, or you want to keep a consistent level for a specific task.

When automatic brightness becomes more annoying than helpful

Auto-brightness is meant to save you the hassle of adjusting the screen yourself, but in a room with flickering light or mixed lighting conditions, it can end up dimming and brightening constantly in a way that is more distracting than convenient. Turning it off and setting a fixed level removes that unpredictability.

A fixed brightness helps for specific tasks too

Editing photos, comparing colors, or reading in a consistently lit room are all situations where a brightness level that keeps shifting on its own can actually get in the way. Locking it in place keeps what you see on screen consistent throughout the task.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad for my eyes to keep manual brightness high at night?

Keeping the screen too bright in a dark room can cause noticeable glare, so it helps to build the habit of adjusting the level yourself based on your surroundings.

How do I switch back to automatic brightness?

Turning the same setting back on restores automatic adjustment based on the ambient light around you.