Why does my iPhone keep dimming? Here’s how to fix it

Anna Zoee

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Why Does My iPhone Keep Dimming With Auto-Brightness Off?

If your iPhone keeps dimming, it’s likely due to some built-in iOS settings designed to preserve battery life and reduce eye strain. The Auto-Brightness feature automatically adjusts your screen brightness based on ambient light.

To disable this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, then turn off Auto-Brightness. Another potential cause is True Tone, which adjusts colors based on lighting; you can toggle this off in Display & Brightness. Low Power Mode also dims the screen, so check this setting under Battery. Lastly, Night Shift can affect brightness at certain times. Adjusting these features should keep your iPhone screen from dimming unexpectedly.

Why does my iPhone screen keep dimming? 

There are a few reasons why your iPhone screen might be dimming on its own. Here are some common causes:

  • Your iPhone is overheating.
  • Low Power Mode is enabled, which reduces brightness.
  • Settings like Auto-Brightness, Attention-Aware Features, or True Tone are turned on.
  • A software glitch may be causing the screen to dim unexpectedly.

Each of these features is designed to improve your iPhone’s performance or conserve battery life, but they can also lead to automatic dimming. Checking these settings can help resolve the issue and prevent your screen from dimming without warning.

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How Brightness Settings Work

When it comes to iPhone brightness, users have control over several settings. Beyond auto-brightness, you can manually adjust brightness levels through the Control Center or in the Display & Brightness settings. However, various factors might still cause your screen to dim, even with these settings at your command.

Common Reasons Your iPhone Screen Dims

Night Shift Mode

Night Shift Mode

Night Shift is a feature that adjusts your screen’s colors to reduce blue light exposure in the evening. While it’s great for reducing eye strain, it can also contribute to a perceived dimness on your display. If you notice your phone dims during the evening, it might be time to disable Night Shift.

True Tone Technology

True Tone Technology

True Tone technology automatically adjusts your screen’s color temperature based on ambient lighting. While this feature enhances color accuracy, it can also affect how bright your screen appears. If you find your iPhone dims unexpectedly, consider turning off True Tone to see if it resolves the issue.

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Low Power Mode

When your iPhone’s battery gets low, Low Power Mode kicks in to save energy. This mode can lead to a noticeable decrease in screen brightness, making your display less vibrant. If your phone dims frequently, check if Low Power Mode is activated and consider disabling it when not necessary.

Thermal Management

iPhones are designed to protect themselves from overheating issues. If your device senses high temperatures, it may automatically dim the screen to reduce heat. If you’re using your iPhone in a hot environment or running demanding apps, this might be the reason for your screen’s sudden dimming.

Battery Health

Your battery health plays a critical role in your iPhone’s overall performance. As batteries age or degrade, they may struggle to provide sufficient power, leading to unexpected brightness fluctuations. To check your battery health, navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health.

Practical Steps to Fix Dimming Issues

Double-Check Auto-Brightness Settings

First, make sure that the auto-brightness feature is indeed off. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on Accessibility.
  3. Select Display & Text Size.
  4. Scroll down to find Auto-Brightness and ensure it’s turned off.

Disable Night Shift

Practical Steps to Fix Dimming Issues
Double-Check Auto-Brightness Settings

To eliminate any impact from Night Shift, here’s how to turn off Night Shift:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on Display & Brightness.
  3. Select Night Shift and toggle it off.

Turn Off True Tone

If you suspect True Tone is causing brightness fluctuations, here’s how to disable True Tone:

Open Settings.

  1. Tap on Display & Brightness.
  2. Find the True Tone option and toggle it off.

Disable Low Power Mode

To check if Low Power Mode is causing your screen to dim:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on Battery.
  3. Toggle Low Power Mode off if it’s enabled.

Address Overheating

If your iPhone frequently experiences overheating, try these tips:

  • Avoid using your phone in direct sunlight.
  • Close unused apps running in the background.
  • Remove any phone cases that may trap heat.

Update iOS

Keeping your iPhone software updated is crucial for optimal performance. An outdated iOS can lead to various bugs, including brightness issues. Here’s how to update your iPhone:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Select Software Update and follow the prompts to install any available updates.

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Additional Troubleshooting Tips

Restart Your Device

Sometimes, a simple restart can fix unexpected issues. Restart your iPhone to refresh its system and settings.

Reset All Settings

If dimming persists, consider resetting your settings:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Scroll down and select Reset.
  4. Choose Reset All Settings. Note: This won’t delete your data, but you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

Check for Hardware Issues

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and your screen continues to dim unexpectedly, you may be facing hardware issues. Signs of hardware problems can include:

  • Unresponsive touch screen.
  • Frequent crashes or freezes.
  • Overheating despite low usage.

In such cases, contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service center is recommended for a proper diagnosis.

FAQs Why does my iPhone keep dimming? Here’s how to fix it

How do I stop my iPhone from dimming?

To stop your iPhone from dimming:

  1. Turn off Auto-Brightness: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, and disable it.
  2. Disable Low Power Mode: In Settings > Battery, toggle off Low Power Mode.
  3. Turn off Attention-Aware Features: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, and disable this setting.
  4. Turn off True Tone: In Settings > Display & Brightness, switch off True Tone.

These adjustments should keep your screen from dimming automatically.

Why is my iPhone screen dark on full brightness?

If your iPhone screen is dark on full brightness, try these fixes:

  1. Turn off Auto-Brightness: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
  2. Disable Low Power Mode: Go to Settings > Battery.
  3. Turn off True Tone and Night Shift: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
  4. Cool Down Your iPhone: If it’s hot, let it cool, as overheating dims the screen.

If the issue persists, it could be a software glitch.

How do I turn off auto brightness?

To turn off Auto-Brightness on your iPhone:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Accessibility.
  3. Select Display & Text Size.
  4. Scroll down and toggle off Auto-Brightness.

This will prevent your iPhone screen from adjusting brightness automatically.

Conclusion

If your iPhone keeps dimming, it’s usually due to built-in features designed to enhance usability and save battery life. Auto-Brightness, Low Power Mode, True Tone, Night Shift, and Attention-Aware Features all contribute to screen dimming under certain conditions. By adjusting these settings in Accessibility, Battery, and Display & Brightness, you can control how and when your screen dims. If your iPhone screen still dims unexpectedly, a software glitch or overheating may be the cause. Proper adjustments should keep your screen brightness stable for better usability.

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