How to change brightness and adaptive brightness on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

If you do not see this option

• Want it darker than the lowest setting? Google says Extra dim dims the screen beyond the minimum. On Pixel 10 and later it is part of the brightness slider in Quick Settings; on Pixel 9 and earlier it is a switch under Settings, Accessibility. Source: Change text and display settings
• Brighter than the slider allows in sunlight? Google says that on Pixel 4 and later, adaptive brightness can briefly go above the normal maximum in very bright light, such as direct sunlight. Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone
• Quicker way? Google says Quick Settings, from the top of any screen, has your most-used settings, and that on Pixel 10 and later the brightness slider is in the Quick Settings menu. Sources: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone, Change text and display settings
• Screen goes dark too soon? That is the screen timeout, not brightness. Google describes it as how long the screen takes to go black when you are not using it. See how to change the screen timeout on a Google Pixel. Source: Manage screen & display settings on a Pixel phone

If this does not work

• Brightness keeps changing by itself? That is adaptive brightness. Google says it is on by default and learns your preferences over time. On ours Brightness level read 14 % in one shot and 32 % in a later one. Move the slider to teach it, or turn Use adaptive brightness off.
• Screen too dark to read outdoors? Turn adaptive brightness on so it can raise the screen in bright light, or drag the slider right.
• Battery running down fast? A bright screen uses more power. See Pixel battery draining fast? What to check.

About this guide

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

What we did

Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below