jgcollins5

Q: auto brightness toggle missing on iphone 5s

I just bought a used 5s off of Swappa.  When I go into settings/display & brightness, I have no auto brightness toggle, just the brightness bar, text size setting and bold text toggle. Does anybody know how I can retrieve the auto brightness toggle, or why it is missing?

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.2

Posted on Dec 29, 2015 3:19 PM

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Q: auto brightness toggle missing on iphone 5s

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  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Dec 29, 2015 3:25 PM in response to jgcollins5
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    Dec 29, 2015 3:25 PM in response to jgcollins5
  • by jgcollins5,

    jgcollins5 jgcollins5 Dec 29, 2015 9:53 PM in response to modular747
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 9:53 PM in response to modular747

    I did the restore, but still do not have the auto brightness toggle.  Any other ideas?

  • by Coolbobcat2,

    Coolbobcat2 Coolbobcat2 Dec 29, 2015 10:16 PM in response to jgcollins5
    Level 3 (523 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 10:16 PM in response to jgcollins5

    Hi,

     

    If you've already restored your iPhone, and you're still not getting the option to enable the auto-brightness feature you could maybe try going to an Apple store and getting it checked. I came across an apple article, and in order to have the auto-brightness feature your iPhone needs an ambient light sensor. Since you said you tried doing a restore already, and you haven't been able to fix it, I'm starting to wonder if maybe the previous owner removed it from your phone, or maybe the ambient light sensor is damaged. Or maybe you can arrange a replacement, or refund from the seller. I may be wrong about this, but it might help draw conclusions to what may be the problem with your phone. If you'd like here's the link: Change the brightness setting on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

     

    I'm not sure of any other tips or ideas. I would suggest basic troubleshooting steps such as force restarting, or restarting the device itself but I don't think that would be much help since you've already restored the iPhone and you're still having those problems.

  • by jgcollins5,

    jgcollins5 jgcollins5 Dec 30, 2015 5:41 AM in response to Coolbobcat2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2015 5:41 AM in response to Coolbobcat2

    I am assuming that the ambient light sensor is what turns the display on and off when the phone is in phone mode while on a call.  Correct?  As a means to determine if that sensor is working, I tried calling voice mail and when I cover the sensor with my hand, the display turns off.  When I uncover the sensor to expose to light, the display turns back on.  Is this a good method of checking if the ambient light sensor is working.  If so, then the sensor is functioning as it should.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Dec 30, 2015 8:08 AM in response to jgcollins5
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    Dec 30, 2015 8:08 AM in response to jgcollins5

    jgcollins5 wrote:

     

    I did the restore, but still do not have the auto brightness toggle.  Any other ideas?

    In that case, there is hardware damage, or the phone was previously jailbroken (which can cause permanent firmware damage).  Take it to Apple for evaluation, or better return it to the seller.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Dec 30, 2015 8:19 AM in response to jgcollins5
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    Dec 30, 2015 8:19 AM in response to jgcollins5

    jgcollins5 wrote:

     

    I am assuming that the ambient light sensor is what turns the display on and off when the phone is in phone mode while on a call.  Correct?

    Incorrect.  That would be the proximity sensor, which has nothing to do with auto-brightness control.  The ambient light sensor detects the brightness of phone's environment, allowing the auto-brightness circuit to adjust screen brightness accordingly.