How do I turn off auto brightness on Android?
Open Settings, tap Display (Display & touch on Pixel), and turn off Adaptive brightness. Then drag the Brightness slider to a level that is comfortable for you, and it stays there until you change it. If the screen still dims, check Power saving or Battery Saver, and make sure nothing covers the top of the screen.
Steps to check
Turn off Adaptive brightness
Most Android phones call auto brightness Adaptive brightness. It uses a light sensor to make the screen brighter outside and dimmer indoors. Open the Settings app (the gear icon), tap Display, and turn the Adaptive brightness switch off. It is on by default on many phones, so this may be the first time you have changed it.
- Samsung Settings → Display → tap the switch next to Adaptive brightness to turn it off.
- Pixel Settings → Display & touch → Adaptive brightness → turn it off.
- Motorola Settings → Display → Adaptive brightness → turn Use adaptive brightness off.
Set the brightness yourself
With Adaptive brightness off, move the Brightness slider (Brightness level on Pixel) on the same Display screen until the screen is easy to read. Many phones also show a brightness slider when you swipe down from the top of the screen. The level now stays where you put it until you move it again.
If the screen still dims, check battery saving
Power saving modes can dim the screen to make the battery last longer. Motorola's help says the screen dims when the battery gets low if Battery saver is on. If you would rather have a brighter screen, turn battery saving off when you do not need it.
- Samsung Settings → Battery and device care (or Battery) → Battery → Power saving. Check which options are on, or turn Power saving off.
- Pixel Settings → Battery → Battery Saver.
Make sure the sensor is not covered
The sensor that checks the light around you sits at the top of the phone, near the front camera (Samsung calls it the proximity sensor). Samsung's help says a case or screen cover that blocks it can make the screen dim or shut off. Take off a bulky case for a moment to test, and wipe the top of the screen with a dry, soft cloth.
If the screen goes dark after a few seconds
A screen that turns dark and then off when you stop touching it is usually the screen timeout, not brightness. Go to Settings → Display → Screen timeout and choose a longer time. Our screen timeout guide has the steps for each brand.
If you want auto brightness back, but working better
Adaptive brightness learns from you. Each time you move the slider while it is on, the phone remembers your choice for that kind of light. If it has learned bad habits, Motorola's help explains how to reset it: Settings → Apps → See all apps → menu → Show system apps → Device Health Services → Storage & cache → Clear storage → Reset adaptive brightness. Then turn Adaptive brightness on and adjust the slider in a few different rooms. This reset option may not appear on every phone.
Normal vs. not
Usually normal
The screen stays at the level you set indoors and outdoors once Adaptive brightness is off. It may still dim when the battery is low and battery saving turns on.
Worth a closer look
The screen keeps dimming even with Adaptive brightness and battery saving off, nothing covers the sensor, and the slider does not seem to work. Restart the phone, check for a system update, and contact the phone maker if it continues.
What people are saying
It still randomly makes my brightness go down so that moving the slider above 50% does nothing.
Redditor u/Kei-OK said on r/AndroidQuestions. Read the thread
Common questions
- Does turning off auto brightness use more battery?
- It can if you leave the screen very bright. Samsung's help says Adaptive brightness is designed to help save battery power. A fixed level that is comfortable but not at the maximum is a good middle ground.
- Why do the colors look darker or yellow even with auto brightness off?
- That is usually a different setting, such as Night Light, a comfort or eye filter, or dark theme. They change the color or background, not the brightness. Look for them under Settings → Display.
Related questions
Sources we checked
- Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone (Pixel Phone Help (Google))
- Stop the screen brightness from dimming on your Galaxy phone or tablet (Samsung US)
- Screen brightness automatically too dim or bright (Motorola Help)
- Get the most life from your Pixel phone battery (Pixel Phone Help (Google))
Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.