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How can you dim the screen further?

Hey Everyone,
As has been mentioned many times in other threads:
1) The LCD is often the biggest battery drainer
2) The 'minimum' setting of the brightness setting is still needlessly bright.
It certainly can be pushed further down for dim/night/dark settings.
3) Certain apps "dim" the screen but are just changing the color, not the backlight. So while useful they still aren't helping your battery.
Following some tips from a different android phone, I found this file:
/sys/devices/platform_/nov_cabc.0/leds/lcd-backlight/brightness
Which appears to contain the current 'brightness #' of the LCD backlight.
Using the normal Brightness slider, the value changes from 30 - 255, with 255 being the brightest. So this clearly could be reduced further.
Setting 'Screen Filter' to 50% brightness has no effect on the value.
Here's something interesting:
Assume the screen is already set at lowest brightness.
When I use 'Widgetsoid' to set brightness to '1', the screen dims slightly, then brightens back up. The 'brightness' file gets set to 20.
'widgetsoid 20' feels the same as 'min brightness 30'. - I wonder if Android is enforcing minimum backlight?
Anyway, thought that would be interesting to note. I'm going to download some other screen dimmer apps and see what they do.
- Frank

I found this online which is very interesting reading:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35972886/An-Analysis-of-Power-Consumption-in-a-Smart-Phone
At '30' they said the display consumed 7.8 mW, while at 255 it consumed 414 (!!!)
Various apps coud push the value to 20 - tasker, adjbrightness.
Tasker tries to set it lower but as with widgetsoid, you can see the screen get forced back up to 20.
adjbrightness can "set" it lower than 20, but the entire screen blacks out, even at 19. Remember where the other buttons are so you can restore brightness!
- Frank

Whoa, thanks for the information. That pretty insane but its an apparently in the Market: Screen Filter, saves a helluva lot of battery.
Edit: Nevermind, Frank shut me up LOL.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

I read a thread that said that the stock rom just doesn't allow setting it that low.
Ah well
- Frank

ChodTheWacko said:
I read a thread that said that the stock rom just doesn't allow setting it that low.
Ah well
- Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you set it lower in other roms - like cm7?

netter123 said:
Can you set it lower in other roms - like cm7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been playing with CM7 which has some nice features for customizing the auto-brightness settings as well as the "dim" value which seems to be the lowest value the screen will go to and what it gets set to when the screen dims before shutting off after a timeout.
For the Dim setting in CM7, the default is 20. The next highest setting in the picker is 18. I believe it goes down to 0 or 1. When set to 18 or lower the screen blanks out completely when dimmed. Depending on how you test this, you may have a problem getting the screen back, so be careful you know where your widget button is on the screen to bring it back... 20 seems to be the lowest value. However, while dim, in a very dark room it could certainly be even dimmer so I don't know why lower values don't work.
I've also found the light detector doesn't seem to detect a continuum of light levels. It seems to be quantized at particular values, so there's a pretty hard limit on how fine you can set the auto brightness levels since the lowest light reading it seems to take is not very sensitive. It can't seem to distinguish between a fully darkened room and a dimly lit room, so setting the lowest value automatically makes the screen too dark to be comfortable in many environments, but then too bright for a really dark room. I don't know if this is an issue with the ROM software or a hardware limitation of the sensor. I've set my lowest auto setting to 40 which seems to work well, then I manually switch it to the dim value (20) if I'm in the dark.

Screen dimming app.

If any of you other users out there feel that the whites on this thing are too awesome for super late at night like I do, I found a app when searching for a f.lux type alternative for android. I have been using this app to help ease the stress on my eye late at night. I dont know about the techical side of what it does, or any of the jargon involved, but it applies a filter of sorts to dim the screen further than what the phone allows. I been using it a lot lately and figure I would share with you guys. If anyone has any recommendations for other similar apps, please share.
Tl:dr
Screen Filter
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.haxor
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

enomele said:
If any of you other users out there feel that the whites on this thing are too awesome for super late at night like I do, I found a app when searching for a f.lux type alternative for android. I have been using this app to help ease the stress on my eye late at night. I dont know about the techical side of what it does, or any of the jargon involved, but it applies a filter of sorts to dim the screen further than what the phone allows. I been using it a lot lately and figure I would share with you guys. If anyone has any recommendations for other similar apps, please share.
Tl:dr
Screen Filter
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.haxor
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just turn on "Background Color" in Power Saving Settings.

Or if you want the screen brightness itself to be lower than what most ROMs allow, you can use this app called RootDim. It worked amazing on my xoom, not sure if it works on the SGSIII yet..
It requires root though..

yosterwp said:
Or if you want the screen brightness itself to be lower than what most ROMs allow, you can use this app called RootDim. It worked amazing on my xoom, not sure if it works on the SGSIII yet..
It requires root though..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Screen filter does the same and doesn't require root. On our AMOLED screens this can save battery.
Also you can turn off those damn capacitive key lights by going to Settings>display>"touch Key light duration"> Always off.

I can confirm that Root dim does work for the SGS3 I use it on my phone.
Current~Samsung Galaxy S3 SynergyRom 1.3 & Imo's Lean Kernel v12 Oc'd @ 1.9ghz
~Acer Iconia A500 Stock
Past~Droid X Gummy ICS 1.2

Lux is an amazing auto brightness app and setting it up for your tastes is incredibly simple.
Go out in the sun and turn brightness up all the way using the app then "link" that setting, go in complete darkness and set it to your taste and link it, then indoor lighting, set it, link it. It then uses just those 3 settings to create a smooth graph of brightness values that are all perfect. You can have as many links as you want but i find the less settings you put in that app the better.
I tried all the suggested ones in here btw.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I've tried and really like Lux (in fact I'm considering purchasing it soon) but I've noticed two issues. First is that sometimes it will not refresh itself and I have to open up the lux dash to get the brightness to change. It doesn't happen often, but it happens often enough to be annoying, and I have it set to automatically.
Also, (and this may simply be an issue with the S3 and not lux itself) but sometimes I will be in a decently lit room and be at 1 lux, while lights out is 0. Not a lot of variance unless it's really bright outside. Have you found anyway to increase the light sensors sensitivity?

noingwhat said:
I've tried and really like Lux (in fact I'm considering purchasing it soon) but I've noticed two issues. First is that sometimes it will not refresh itself and I have to open up the lux dash to get the brightness to change. It doesn't happen often, but it happens often enough to be annoying, and I have it set to automatically.
Also, (and this may simply be an issue with the S3 and not lux itself) but sometimes I will be in a decently lit room and be at 1 lux, while lights out is 0. Not a lot of variance unless it's really bright outside. Have you found anyway to increase the light sensors sensitivity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try setting it to be always active in the task bar, that prevents it from being killed. Also try setting it to not use raw values for light sensor readings, this gives you a simple scale of 0-10 for readings and total darkness always reads as 0.
Edit: oops reread your post. That's weird that it is reading indoor light at 1. I usually get around 2 or 3. I used to have a screen protector on that covered the light sensor and that put it all over the place. Maybe that is what's causing it?

noingwhat said:
I've tried and really like Lux (in fact I'm considering purchasing it soon) but I've noticed two issues. First is that sometimes it will not refresh itself and I have to open up the lux dash to get the brightness to change. It doesn't happen often, but it happens often enough to be annoying, and I have it set to automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed the same behavior with the free version. In my case, the lowest value the HTC Desire S can reach with its default Android auto brightness is in fact about 15%.
In LUX settings you can configure the "0" value to be lower and "bypass" the freeware limitation (you can't configure sub-zero levels in the free version). This will work when you test it in the dashboard, but during regular use the light level never goes below the 15% limit already set by the OS.
What I did was purchase the full version (to get astronomer mode along with all the settings unlocked) so I was able to leave the 0 level at its default 15% but link some light intensity values to sub-zero percentages. Guess what? It works great! Once you go into a very dark room, the display dims as far as you set it to.
Another problem with the free version was that a few times I unlocked the phone outside in full sunlight and LUX did not increase the brightness. It appeared almost completely black because the light level was at about 15-25% (the same level it would be inside a low lit room).
Again, with the full version I did not notice this problem (I've used the free version for 1 day and the paid version for 1 day but running tests in different light levels inside and outside).
It's like the free version is a bit buggy on purpose, and I remember uninstalling LUX free about 2 months because of this; I was thinking that if the free version does not work OK, I shouldn't buy the full version. Apparently this is not the case (touch wood).
Just for the record, it's on "dynamically adjust".
noingwhat said:
Also, (and this may simply be an issue with the S3 and not lux itself) but sometimes I will be in a decently lit room and be at 1 lux, while lights out is 0. Not a lot of variance unless it's really bright outside. Have you found anyway to increase the light sensors sensitivity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the display is a bit dirty (oily, dusty, etc) around the light sensor, you can try to clean it. If this is not the case, open the dashboard, let it determine the light level or hit "auto" a few times and make sure the reading is correct. Then just slide your finger along the yellow line to find the appropriate brightness level and long press the chain to link. Go to a brighter lit room then go back to the first room and see how LUX behaves. Also lock/unlock the phone a few times and see how it goes.
If you still have problems running LUX, disable it and check the default Android auto brightness to make sure it's not a sensor issue.
LUX also has the possibility to set the response delay under Settings -> Advanced -> Developer Settings (the last to just on the bottom, but for this you would need to buy the full version.

Inginerul said:
If the display is a bit dirty (oily, dusty, etc) around the light sensor, you can try to clean it. If this is not the case, open the dashboard, let it determine the light level or hit "auto" a few times and make sure the reading is correct. Then just slide your finger along the yellow line to find the appropriate brightness level and long press the chain to link. Go to a brighter lit room then go back to the first room and see how LUX behaves. Also lock/unlock the phone a few times and see how it goes.
If you still have problems running LUX, disable it and check the default Android auto brightness to make sure it's not a sensor issue.
LUX also has the possibility to set the response delay under Settings -> Advanced -> Developer Settings (the last to just on the bottom, but for this you would need to buy the full version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I think it is more of an issue of the sensor not being sensitive enough. I'm not sure if this is anything you can change in lux or if it would have to be edited in the kernel (or if it is fault of the hardware) but I just feel like the sensor doesn't go down low enough. As I said, I can get down to 1 or 0 in a decently lit room, and yes I have tried cleaning the screen. It's not like it jumps around or anything so it's not like I would notice anything in default auto brightness, it's just that it doesn't seem to be sensitive enough.

Screen filter is great!! I use as well!!!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Well for my Desire S, the lowest light level that the sensor can read is 160 lux (raw value). You can try and set LUX to use raw values because this is more accurate in my oppinion.

Another +1 for Screen filter here

Does anyone know how to use "luma" values for automatic adjustment in Lux instead of "lux" values?

noingwhat said:
Does anyone know how to use "luma" values for automatic adjustment in Lux instead of "lux" values?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I have noticed on my phone is that "luma" readings are taken from the front facing camera, while "lux" readings are taken from the ambient light sensor (you can chose which one to use in the settings).
I suppose the front facing camera uses more battery than the light sensor; it also appears to be more sensitive because it can read more light levels.

Inginerul said:
What I have noticed on my phone is that "luma" readings are taken from the front facing camera, while "lux" readings are taken from the ambient light sensor (you can chose which one to use in the settings).
I suppose the front facing camera uses more battery than the light sensor; it also appears to be more sensitive because it can read more light levels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess so. Thanks! But doesn't that kinda defeat the whole purpose of Lux? Because you can't use automatic mode with the camera(s).... so then what's it good for?

Well even if you don't have an ambient light sensor, you can still use the camera to check the light level when you unlock the phone and let LUX adjust the brightness level. Of course it's not dynamic but it's still better than having the brightness at 50% the whole time or changing brightness levels through a widget..

Tasker Guide to Auto Brightness

Follow this Guide at Your Own Risk.
I am not responsible for bricked devices, lost data, thermonuclear war or getting fired for missed alarm or whatever happens to your device by following my instructions​
I have been a long time Lux user. But what I found, that Lux is bugged with some compatibility checking wakelock. Also, Lux uses screen overlay which is a problem. For a lot of system features in Marshamllow loaded S7edge alerts that an screen overlay has been detected and this must be disabled. Therefore, I configured Tasker (Paid software available on android market), my most favourite automation tool for android. So, where is the catch?
Process:
1. Disable Auto Brightness and Create a New Task in Tasker.
2. Select Action Category > Display > Display Brightness
3. Then Set Brightness Level value at 15 (Or whatever lowest brightness you're comfortable at)
4. Below, set if parameter as "%LIGHT < 20 (Or whatever brightness level you want for 15% of brightness)
Repeat Process 2-4 to create multiple steps for your brightness level adjustments.
Now, in Tasker profiles, you add a new profile to be triggered by "Events > Display > Display On and assign the created Task.
You can also adjust your brightness on per app basis when you want a specific app to have a set brightness level by following the same process except when creating a profile you have to select "Applications" and assign the created Task or a similar task created separately.
Update:
I have attached a Tasker configuration xml to get started with.
Please note that this guide will setup auto brightness to be adjusted on device wake. You can hook this update to any event as you want.
Tested working on SM-G935FD. Should work on any Tasker compatible android device with Light Sensor.

What's wrong with auto brightness?

drummerman said:
What's wrong with auto brightness?
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Click to collapse
+1.... I think that Android is great because of the customization option available, but sometimes people just over-customise.
There is nothing wrong with Auto-Brightness, and in case you have a problem with it, just override it using the bar on the notification panel.
Still, although I will never use it, this is a nice tutorial.

drummerman said:
What's wrong with auto brightness?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Default Auto brightness implemented in S7 edge is buggy. here on xda you can check it out.
Teio said:
+1.... I think that Android is great because of the customization option available, but sometimes people just over-customise.
There is nothing wrong with Auto-Brightness, and in case you have a problem with it, just override it using the bar on the notification panel.
Still, although I will never use it, this is a nice tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this is not over-customization, at least in my opinion. It means taking more control. I have been using (and many other people are) Lux to adjust the auto brightness behavior which polls sensor data at a specific period, whenever the screen is on. But if you use this guide, it will give you a auto brightness customization solution without polling light data from sensor all the time. even though the sensor will be on, it will not be active. I am not sure that it will impact on battery or not, but it gives me more control over the brightness adjustment.
cheers!

izephyr said:
Default Auto brightness implemented in S7 edge is buggy. here on xda you can check it out.
But this is not over-customization, at least in my opinion. It means taking more control. I have been using (and many other people are) Lux to adjust the auto brightness behavior which polls sensor data at a specific period, whenever the screen is on. But if you use this guide, it will give you a auto brightness customization solution without polling light data from sensor all the time. even though the sensor will be on, it will not be active. I am not sure that it will impact on battery or not, but it gives me more control over the brightness adjustment.
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. Though I don't see the issue on my device, Auto-Brightness works as I expect it to. It gets very bright on sun, and dim on dark rooms (though I would like it to go a tiny bit dimmer to be perfect). Will this Task auto adjust or you need to select the desired brightness yourself?

Teio said:
Will this Task auto adjust or you need to select the desired brightness yourself?
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Click to collapse
You can select the desired brightness level according to your comfort.

Teio said:
Good point. Though I don't see the issue on my device, Auto-Brightness works as I expect it to. It gets very bright on sun, and dim on dark rooms (though I would like it to go a tiny bit dimmer to be perfect). Will this Task auto adjust or you need to select the desired brightness yourself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to http://www.greenbot.com/article/303...brightness-fixes-a-major-mobile-headache.html and this: http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S7_ShootOut_1.htm you can customize according to your liking .. hadn't tried it though all I need is the AOD to shine a lil bit dimmer

The drawback to this is that it only adjusts brightness based on the level when you turn the screen on. If the ambient light changes, the screen brightness won't change with it.

Opinions about autobrighness?

Hi, I'm new in this forum. I want to change to the OnePlus 6, but I have a question:
¿On 9.0.3 Pie (the last upgrade) autobrighness works fine?

Works just fine for me. I also have High Brighness mode (requires root) installed from flar2 that increases max brightness for better outdoor viewing.

DanielRR. said:
Hi, I'm new in this forum. I want to change to the OnePlus 6, but I have a question:
¿On 9.0.3 Pie (the last upgrade) autobrighness works fine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works like it should.
And if you think it's too bright or too dim in a particular situtation, just adjust it with the slider, it will learn with time and it will happen less frequently.

For me auto-brightness never worked.
At home inside my house the screen is at a comfortable level move my phone ever so slightly the intensity becomes too bright.
Inside it should be a level and stay at the level, who knows what light source the sensor is seeing to boast the level it should leave the brightness alone.
So what do you do .....
1) Set level
2) If light source is detected wait 5 seconds before increasing brightness "because it maybe a false light source"
Then you will be in the sun and waiting for the brightness to increase.
Hate auto brightness all together.
So I set a level, likely on the dim side because I want to conserve battery life.
My problem is when I am in direct sunlight I see nothing.
I should look and see if there is anyway to program something easily accessible for a brightness boost.
In the sun can not see the screen, press the brightness boost button.

Override manual/auto screen brightness with root?

Hi guys,
I have a cheap Chinese Cube T8Plus that I use exclusively to read comics and books at night.
It works really well for that use, but has 2 very annoying problems with backlight brightness that makes it less than ideal for low light use:
- with manual brightness, the minimum brightness is very high, and even with root and a software like brightness tweak, it stays the same (I can actually increase the minimum brightness, but not decrease it).
- with auto brightness, surprisingly on low light the screen gets a lot dimmer than with manual brightness, it makes a huge difference. But here too there is a big problem; the brightness does increase whenever I the tablet is exposed to higher light, but doesn't decrease back on low light, no matter what I do.
The only way to reset it back is to fully reboot the tablet.
I tried different roms to try fixing the issue, they all have the same behavior sadly.
Of course I know there are screen filter solutions like the twilight app, which I actually use, but it's not always enough, and kills the contrast a little bit too much sometimes.
So is there any other way to force the manual brightness to go lower, that might work for me?
If not can I override the auto brightness in some way?
Thanks