[iPhone] HDR Videos appear extremely bright at minimum brightness

When images/videos on certain apps are presented as HDR, iOS overrides the normal brightness limit to present the image or video in full HDR dynamic range, which can result in painfully bright images or video at night time when I have set my phone to minimum brightness (auto-brightness is disabled). In particular, some videos/images that are not mastered correctly appear unrealistically bright.


So far, the best workaround I have is to enable Low Power Mode, but this is not ideal, as it makes the phone feel slower and disables the high refresh rate, but at least it’s better than having my eyes seared and my phone keep me up with so much extra light when I’m just trying to fall asleep to a YouTube video (YouTube will not let me disable HDR).


Starting a new thread on this issue since the other question I found was closed as inactive (despite being <1yr old and having no solution posted yet).

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Jul 7, 2023 10:15 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 28, 2024 6:57 AM

I encountered the same issue not only on my iPhone but also on my Mac. Another workaround is to enable 'Reduce White Point' by 25%. However, this solution is not ideal as it reduces some of the phone's brightness. As a result, you may need to increase the brightness more than you are accustomed to.


This solution helped me, so perhaps it can help you as well.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 28, 2024 6:57 AM in response to ZackFletch

I encountered the same issue not only on my iPhone but also on my Mac. Another workaround is to enable 'Reduce White Point' by 25%. However, this solution is not ideal as it reduces some of the phone's brightness. As a result, you may need to increase the brightness more than you are accustomed to.


This solution helped me, so perhaps it can help you as well.

Jul 8, 2023 2:06 AM in response to ZackFletch

Learn how to take photos with the Camera on your iPhone. Choose from camera modes such as Photo, Video, Cinematic, Pano, and Portrait, and zoom in or out to frame your shot.

Learn iPhone camera basics - Apple Support



Learn about Photographic Styles, QuickTake, Action mode, the Ultra Wide camera, and other camera features on your iPhone.

Understand About the Camera features on your iPhone - Apple Support (IN)



By default, iPhone takes photos in HDR (for the rear camera and the front camera) when it’s most effective. iPhone 12 models, iPhone 13 models, and iPhone 14 models, record video in HDR to capture true-to-life colour and contrast.

Take appropriate action to Adjust HDR camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)



The camera modes built into your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch help you take the ideal photo or video. Swipe left or right on the camera screen to switch to a different mode. You can choose from photo, video, time-lapse, slo-mo, square, Portrait, and pano modes.

For this, you may Use camera modes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch



With the Camera on models that support Portrait mode, you can apply a depth-of-field effect that keeps your subject—people, pets, objects, and more—sharp while creating a beautifully blurred foreground and background. You can apply and adjust different lighting effects to your Portrait mode photos, and on iPhone X and later, you can even take a selfie in Portrait mode.

Learn how to --> Take Portrait mode photos with your iPhone camera



Learn about advanced Camera features that let you capture photos faster, apply tailored and enhanced looks to your photos, and view content outside the camera frame.

Try to Change advanced camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support



Use the Camera to record videos and QuickTake videos on your iPhone. Learn how to change modes to take Cinematic, slow-motion, and time-lapse videos.

Here you can see an Apple Article with all video recording options --> Record videos with your iPhone camera - Apple Support



Taking tips from here may also help you. --> Tutorials | iPhone Photography School

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

[iPhone] HDR Videos appear extremely bright at minimum brightness

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