Why does my iPad Pro keep decreasing its brightness despite my settings?

With iPad Pro, unexpected reduction in screen brightness can often be attributed to an unrelated setting - namely Attention Aware...

Settings > FaceID & Passcode > Attention-Aware Features - set to ON or OFF as required

This setting uses the iPad's FaceID sensor array to detect that you are actively looking at the iPad screen.

• If set to ON, the sensor is active - and will keep the iPad unlocked and the screen at the set brightness while you are paying attention to the screen. If your attention is elsewhere, the iPad will dim the screen - and shortly thereafter lock the iPad.
• If set to OFF, the iPad screen will remain active until the Auto-lock delay expires - at which time the iPad will lock and sleep.

My quick test (iPad Pro M4, iPadOS 17.5.1) suggests the critical setting is Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Auto Brightness which worked for me to prevent the ambient light sensor changing the brightness setting. The settings for True Tone or Light/Dark mode are not relevant for the problem you describe.

I suggest two points to check.

Reboot your iPad, because a software restart is a magical fix for strange problems on any computer device. Power down and restart is often all it needs

Check your software is fully updated on your iPad. (Settings > General > Software Update)

I suggest that you contact Apple Support directly, using this link:--> Contact Apple for support and service (they have tools to diagnose that kind of issue remotely), or (even better) make an appointment (*) and have your device inspected at an Apple Store or AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) among this list:--> https://locate.apple.com/choose-country-region . After checking it out, they'll give you all the available options.

Regards

Giulio

(*) You can do it:

• Online:--> Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple;
• Contacting a local Apple Store or AASP among the list provided above;
• Using the "Apple Store" app, available and downloadable from AppStore.

TadashiC wrote:

Thanks. I bet that is it.

Also be aware that Attention Aware also affects Alert and Alarm sounds. While attention to the screen is sensed by the iPad, the volume of sound alerts will be lower.

If the iPad is sleeping, or your attention is elsewhere, the alert sounds will play at a louder volume to attract attention.