iPhone 12 pro max keeps dimming

I have the iPhone 12 Pro Max and it constantly dims. I made sure the Automatic button was off, it still dims. I went to answer the phone and it had dimmed itself down to an almost completely dark screen. I am constantly having to reset the brightness back to where I can see the screen. Any "bright" ideas?

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 24, 2020 8:04 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 25, 2021 9:10 AM

So.. I had my apple appointment yesterday, I made sure to video the screen dimming too before I went in, I showed them the videos and explained the issue I was having, to which they admitted was very strange, they said it’s most like software based to which I agreed, but i said, what are you going to do about it, to which they responded, there’s nothing we can do, other than try a screen replacement, so I said go ahead. Now, to do the screen replacement they have to plug the device into a diagnostic machine which will look for a fault and then allow them to do a repair, so they did this, and to both mine and the employees surprised, there were 5 faults with the device! It failed the screen test, the face I.D test, ambient lighting test and two other which I forget, but this meant that they couldn’t do a screen replacement as there were many more issues, so their solution… they straight up replaced my device there and then in the shop! I was gob smacked at this point as usual you’d hear horror stories of how they will blame you and send you away! So far it’s been 24hrs, no screen dim! I’ve even done the things I did before to make it happen, and nothing! So for now, I am happy, I hope this device continues to perform correctly and if I do experience any issues I will be sure to note them here!

my advise, video your issue on another device and head to your nearest apple store!

396 replies

May 8, 2021 8:45 AM in response to fdojgnn

This guy knows! Literally had every single comment of mine erased! Scummy support from apple regarding this! And yes this is a user to user chat, but apple are more than able to respond on THEIR discussion site! I left apple after their touch disease issue on the 6 range and i will leave again due to this issue, i stand by saying, Huawei have made the absolute best phones to date!

i only wish i could leave this discussion too!

May 13, 2021 5:30 PM in response to rjm4261

Okay, I posted a few weeks back about having all auto dimming shut off—but my iphone12Pro still is dimming randomly all by itself. I am a mature disabled Veteran with sight and hearing impairment. For awhile after complaining it seemed to stop going crazy on the darkening screen. My MacPro laptops have never done this, but I feel tortured with this unreasonable problem on supposedly your once latest greatest iPhone. I doubt I will buy apple again. This is aggravating. Please stop ignoring disabilities with clients vision and hearing. Please.

May 14, 2021 4:59 AM in response to JimCali75

I agree. Especially since i gave up an Android note 20 ultra to come to apple. I’ll be going bacc. Apple is lacking on the features, the fixes, and the privacy. I used to be able to lock my droid down. Like if u asked to see my phone u couldn’t go thru my texts, pic, etc. each app had its own password. I asked apple why don't they do that, they asked me what am i trying to hide. The nerve, I've had my apple fix android I'm coming bacc.

May 15, 2021 5:34 PM in response to aniah290

Is fussing shouldn’t slow the genius minds at apple down. They need to address the issues asap. They act like we not supposed to be irritated and a lil upset. This iPhone costs too much. If i sold u a car and it was acting up I’m sure you'd let me know bout it. Btw dimming as i text. So yeah im ******. Im also ****** that you acting like we dont have rights after we paid. I dont wanna get the boot out the apple forum til im ready to boot myself out so ima fall bacc. Hope u can read my unique spelling. Its for a reason, so before u call me out on it later that was my disclaimer. Peace out apple employee of the year.

May 20, 2021 8:52 AM in response to Pdee Pee1

I couldn’t agree more. I’m a long time Samsung user, and finally decided to try an iPhone because I use a MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. So I got the 12 Pro Max... SOOOO DISAPPOINTED. I was prepared for the overall lack of features. Losing real Split screen multi tasking was a huge sacrifice. I know you can open 2 browser windows, but that’s simply not the same thing. I was willing to compromise on that, in order to have a seamless experience with my laptop and tablet. But this screen dimming thing makes the phone nearly unusable. And I depend on my phone all day for work. If I could get my Note20 ultra back, I’d do it in a heartbeat. And I’ve tried ALL of the “fixes” for this issue. NONE ACTUALLY WORK. My carrier offered to replace my 1 month old 1200 dollar phone with a refurb... which hardly seems fair. Looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet, and just buy a new Samsung unless Apple miraculously decides to actually let their paying customers decide how bright they want the screens on these expensive phones. I’m not optimistic. 1200 bucks down the drain. And it’s really a shame. I love how good everything works and looks... you know, when I can actually see it. Face ID is amazing and convenient. I love iMessage and Airdrop too. They are fantastic. And Apple, I love your computers too, but these phones are a total letdown. If you’ve been using a flagship Samsung phone for any length of time, don’t be fooled into switching. Airdrop and iMessage are in NO WAY worth the sacrifices you’ll be making in terms of utility. iPhone 12 Pro Max is basically a thousand dollar “1 app at a time phone” that tells you(the paying customer) how you’re going to use it. If I could return mine for even a partial refund or credit towards a new Galaxy Ultra... well I wouldn’t have any need to post this would I? How can Apple ignore stuff like this? It’s mind blowing. I actually took my phone into the Apple store, only to have a “genius” scratch their head after having to literally stain their eyes to see the screen, and say, “ well that’s just how these work sir , is there anything else we can help you with today sir? Have you seen the new iPad Pro yet?” I just looked at this kid, and turned around and walked out of the store. I honestly don’t know how Apple users have put up with this kind of stuff for so long, and still vigorously defend these products. This was my first iPhone... and definitely my last.

May 21, 2021 2:04 AM in response to rjm4261

I’m having the exact same “dimming” issue with my iPhone 12. I’ve applied all the Apple Reccomended fixes (Brightness settings, True-Tone off, Accessibility settings, etc) and nothing works. My phone is actually dimming and “lighting up” as I’m typing this message.

The battery drains of power very very quickly as well. I need to charge every day. Sometimes even within the day. All this without heavy use.

I’ve had my new phone since January and was hoping these issues would clear up with new iOS updates, but it’s been 5 months.

I would like a new WORKING phone and that is what expect when I buy the latest Apple product.


Please advise.


Waiting for a response.


May 21, 2021 8:11 AM in response to rjm4261

I’ve got the same irritating problem on a months old 12 mini. Can’t seem to find an answer. Auto settings are off. I wonder if the phone case is causing it to get too hot. I’ll take it out of the case for a day, and if it helps, I will post. But I kind of doubt it. It shouldn’t be doing it with or without a case.

May 21, 2021 8:37 AM in response to Joe-T

This is beyond a joke now, ive just plugged my phone in to charge, it’s gone from 20% to 50% and in that time my screen has dimmed to around 40% brightness and the phone is so hot the flash is actually disabled, wtf is this crap, how are apple just going to ignore this?! I guarantee that they’re fixing this issue for the new line up of iPhones so how can they just leave us hanging!

May 23, 2021 4:50 AM in response to fdojgnn

I have an appointment with the ‘genius bar’ tomorrow, I actually work in the phone industry and do mobile phone repairs too but I’m curious as to what they will have to say. I had an apple employee actually acknowledge the issue yesterday and say he experiences it too on his device but he wasn’t sure how to fix it. I’m able to trigger my phone to start dimming by just opening and running a few apps, so I will do so in the apple store tomorrow and see what’s good!

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iPhone 12 pro max keeps dimming

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