iPhone 12 screen brightness issue

Very significant issue in my opinion. Encountered the problem while I was trying to take photos at the beach on a sunny day, which is exactly when the screen needs to be at its brightest. Got under the shade for about 5 minutes, and the brightness magically came back. Like others have said, could be a problem that is caused by overheating.

This is a reoccurring problem that sometimes is associated with lower battery levels and other times is not. Sometimes I need the screen to be bright for the work that I do and it just refuses and I have to power it down and power it back up which is just totally ridiculous. Instinct says Apple is trying to save these screens because of the resale market and the resale value of these phones. So when you buy a phone is it really your phone or are you going to give it away in a year or two? That is probably why the screen issues are coming up… To save the screen. But if you’ve purchased the phone and it’s yours you shouldn’t have to endure this BS

I have reported this as a bug through the Feedback Assistant. Each of you should do the same.

I have noticed that it does seem to happen more when I am on 5G and the battery is lower than 70%. Right before I went to reply this thread I was having the issue. When it looked like I hit about 90% power level the screen went back to bright.

Have same problem iPhone 12 Pro Max. After numerous Apple chat reps told me I had “imported a bug while downloading an iOS update via unsecured Wi-Fi” I finally went the local Apple Store and had them wipe the device and reinstall new 14.4.2 directly from their own Mac. Nope... still have same screen brightness problems. Just today it went almost completely black. I had to go into a restroom at work and turn off the lights to see the barely lit screen. Otherwise I had no other way to see the swipe icon to turn off the device. Supposedly the new iOS 14.5 launches today. I’m going straight back to the same store to download it. If not fixed I’m leaving with a new replacement. Let you know.

There are two iPhone 12 and one 12 pro in my household. All three experience this issue when out and hot or sunny.

my kid just Monday said he went into the pool and left phone under the umbrella shade. It was 85F. And he said he grabbed it to take a pic and he could not see the screen AT ALL.

Sadly, the folks at Genius Bar, Simply Mac, Best Buy and online Apple Support can't fix it... it doesn't seem to be fixable even with replacing parts or the device itself. Apple calls it a Rear System Compatibility issue (KBB - Known Back Board issue) on my last visit.. They should admit the problem .... I sure wish I had my 10 back.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 12’s seem to have a problem with overheating. I hope Apple will come up with a software fix for that soon. But if it’s happening more than occasionally it might be a hardware issue.

in a nut shell it’s an over heating issue people !! The 12 is plagued with a horrible over heating problem not sure if they can fix with software but it’s very important to fix !!! Only minutes in the sun my 12 pro max dims and it’s impossible to see the screen just very sad Apple we need our phones fixed ?

This is surely an overheating issue than a screen issue. iPhone 12 gets hot too easily. Today I was driving, my phone was just laying on the seat next to me, sure, sun was on it, but so was AC, few minutes later, sure enough screen got dim and message says phone too hot to operate. My iPhone 11 and other older version would not have this problem before. Now I have to make a point, while driving find a shady area to store the iPhone 12 or it will get hot by just laying on the seat exposed to occasional sun beam.

My iPhone 11 in direct sun beach outside anywhere was completely ok ! The iPhone 12 Pro Max lasts not even 1 minute in direct sun it dims and or gets an overheat alert . The videos and people all saying to close apps take case off all that stuff should not have to be done with a 1300 dollar phone . The problem with screen dimming on max screen brightness is 100 % in my mind a overheated problem , smartphones today should not only take very cold temperatures they should handle hot temperatures too . It’s a massive defect with the iPhone 12 s and hope to get a fix from apple soon . It mite just be a software fix ?? Maybe ??

I joined this group a couple of months ago, and I see comments remain the same. I had the same problems you all are having with the 12Pro.. overheating, screen dimming within minutes of use.. I had diagnostics run, made screen adjustments, removed apps, the display was replaced, and finally received a completely new iPhone 12 Pro as a replacement. Still the same problems. Like many, I bought the phone for the good camera, but was unable to use it, or even the phone itself. I bought a Sony so I could take pictures... and then I traded in the NEW replacement iPhone 12 Pro and downgraded to an 11Pro.. Have had no problems with it...even traveled out of country to 100-111 degree temps and was able to successfully take pics with the 11Pro. Many of us have given feedback directly to Apple, but they assure us the phone is working within its expected limits. I'll keep watching to see if anything changes. I'm several $$ in the hole with the Sony and the iPhone 11.. Just hope this can be resolved.

My experience is that EVERY iPhone since at least the 6 will overheat and dim by design. However the 12 series does so MUCH MUCH SOONER.

i wouldn’t worry about the 11 doing that on you. It happens on a hot day especially of certain apps are running and then you take pics etc. if you had the 12 it would have happened event sooner I assure you.

Keep an eye on it but don’t worry too much. It will rarely happen in previous generation phones.

oh today I got this on my 12 at the pool…

You need to turn Bold text off your Welcome people display and text size settings.

The best way to get this resolved by Apple is in my experience to google for Apple Feedback and follow the links to report it directly.

Now I remember it’s only happened when my phone is overheating too, thanks for pointing that out, then it’s definitely a hardware problems.