How to turn off adaptive brightness on Android

2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, tap Display and switch off Adaptive brightness. The screen then stays at the level you set with the brightness slider in Quick Settings.

Adaptive brightness changes the screen with the light around you and learns from your adjustments. If it keeps dimming too far or shifting while you read, you can take control yourself.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them, so the Samsung name is given where it differs. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. SettingsNetwork & internetConnected devicesAppsNotificationsBatteryStorageDisplay

    Open Settings and tap Display

    On newer versions it may be called Display & touch.

  2. DisplayBrightness levelAdaptive brightnessDark themeScreen timeout

    Switch off Adaptive brightness

    On Samsung, tap Brightness first if the switch is not on the main Display page.

  3. Set the brightness yourself

    Swipe down twice from the top of the screen and drag the brightness slider.

Good to know

If adaptive brightness simply behaves badly, try resetting what it has learned before switching it off: Settings, Apps, See all apps, Device Health Services, Storage, Manage space, Reset adaptive brightness.

A screen that dims by itself with adaptive brightness off is usually hot, or in Battery Saver, or showing HDR video.

The display is one of the biggest battery users. Turn it down in dark rooms.

Extra dim, in Quick Settings or under Accessibility, lowers brightness below the normal minimum for reading in bed.

In short: Settings, Display, Adaptive brightness off.

Sources
  • Google Android Help: Change display settings on Android

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