Why is my iPhone screen dark on full brightness in the sun?

the screen is dark when I'm driving at 2pm, even though it's set to maximum brightness, I mean, this happens a few minutes after I start driving, I saw exactly the moment when the screen darkened to half the brightness, I looked at the toolbar and it was at maximum. The moment when I need clarity the most is when I'm in the strong sun, and the screen simply reduces its brightness by half, this puts me at risk of an accident, since I'm having great difficulty seeing the screen while driving...🛑🛑🛑

iphone 15 pro max all updates made


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on May 1, 2025 11:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 2, 2025 02:31 PM

Slep3000 wrote:

😂😂😂 you are so funny. When you drive more than 30 thousand miles a year, you definitely need to use a gps map, maybe you just drive from home to the nearest Walmart, I've been driving since 2006 so you know. I would like to expose this problem to Apple support, but you know what, you CANNOT, there is no channel where you can report a problem to them, because if this happened and it was beneficial they would have to pay something to the reporter, so they provide this open chat and anonymously collect reported problems. another thing here is the report. If your phone is heating up just because you are using a GPS app and listening to music, something is wrong, because running this and the screen at maximum brightness together with the battery charging are NOT enough to heat up to the point that certain services are reduced in order to save battery life... I mean, systems are running on your cell phone improperly, maybe Apple is mining digital data on your phone? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just today, I turned off my phone when I noticed a rapid battery drain and heating for no reason... there is something wrong happening in our expensive devices...

Wow, amazing. I’ve been driving since 1960, and I somehow managed to get where I wanted to go long before GPS was even a gleam in the eye of the US military, who created it.


The rest of your post is nonsense in many ways.


But to focus on one:


Apple’s formal support can be reached several ways

  • You can provide feedback to Apple at→ Product Feedback - Apple where your issue or suggestion will be recorded, tracked and matched with similar reports, but you will not get a reply



For personalized support

Best way: 

  • Install the Apple Support app on your iPhone or iPad - you can contact support directly from the app, and the tech will have (with your permission) access to diagnostic data on your device



Other options:

(Note that both of the above have options to receive a callback or chat)



14 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 2, 2025 02:31 PM in response to Slep3000

Slep3000 wrote:

😂😂😂 you are so funny. When you drive more than 30 thousand miles a year, you definitely need to use a gps map, maybe you just drive from home to the nearest Walmart, I've been driving since 2006 so you know. I would like to expose this problem to Apple support, but you know what, you CANNOT, there is no channel where you can report a problem to them, because if this happened and it was beneficial they would have to pay something to the reporter, so they provide this open chat and anonymously collect reported problems. another thing here is the report. If your phone is heating up just because you are using a GPS app and listening to music, something is wrong, because running this and the screen at maximum brightness together with the battery charging are NOT enough to heat up to the point that certain services are reduced in order to save battery life... I mean, systems are running on your cell phone improperly, maybe Apple is mining digital data on your phone? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just today, I turned off my phone when I noticed a rapid battery drain and heating for no reason... there is something wrong happening in our expensive devices...

Wow, amazing. I’ve been driving since 1960, and I somehow managed to get where I wanted to go long before GPS was even a gleam in the eye of the US military, who created it.


The rest of your post is nonsense in many ways.


But to focus on one:


Apple’s formal support can be reached several ways

  • You can provide feedback to Apple at→ Product Feedback - Apple where your issue or suggestion will be recorded, tracked and matched with similar reports, but you will not get a reply



For personalized support

Best way: 

  • Install the Apple Support app on your iPhone or iPad - you can contact support directly from the app, and the tech will have (with your permission) access to diagnostic data on your device



Other options:

(Note that both of the above have options to receive a callback or chat)



May 2, 2025 12:01 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

😂😂😂 you are so funny. When you drive more than 30 thousand miles a year, you definitely need to use a gps map, maybe you just drive from home to the nearest Walmart, I've been driving since 2006 so you know. I would like to expose this problem to Apple support, but you know what, you CANNOT, there is no channel where you can report a problem to them, because if this happened and it was beneficial they would have to pay something to the reporter, so they provide this open chat and anonymously collect reported problems. another thing here is the report. If your phone is heating up just because you are using a GPS app and listening to music, something is wrong, because running this and the screen at maximum brightness together with the battery charging are NOT enough to heat up to the point that certain services are reduced in order to save battery life... I mean, systems are running on your cell phone improperly, maybe Apple is mining digital data on your phone? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just today, I turned off my phone when I noticed a rapid battery drain and heating for no reason... there is something wrong happening in our expensive devices...

May 6, 2025 09:03 AM in response to Slep3000

Slep3000 wrote:

😂😂😂 you are so funny. When you drive more than 30 thousand miles a year, you definitely need to use a gps map, maybe you just drive from home to the nearest Walmart, I've been driving since 2006 so you know.

Oh, so you're a youngster! I've been driving since 1977 (approximately). I've drven many thousands of miles across two countries with no GPS. My mother started driving in about 1936. She used to drive across the country. With three kids and a dog. And no GPS.


Don't get me wrong. I love GPS. But phones get lost, broken or stolen. You really out to consider learning some basic map skills.


May 6, 2025 11:03 AM in response to Slep3000

That’s interesting, my polarized sunglasses make my screen almost black. If i tilt my head I see more of the screen, but never as little as just 10%.


I encounter similar issues in the bright sunlight where I live (Florida Gulf Coast) and it’s just the way they work. In the heat the screen dims and my pupils to constrict. In bright light I can’t see the screen well until I get into the shade.


In my experience running my iPhone at full brightness, running the GPS, using iTunes (or Spotify) to download music, run the cellular radio (for streaming music) and having my iPhone plugged into a fast charger definitely cause heat to build up. Things are necessarily disabled to reduce battery life, especially if plugged in and charging. It sounds like heat is the issue.


What is running in the background? Look at your last 24 hour and 10 days battery usage by App and see who the culprits are. Once identified, delete the app(s) and download another copy. Many of the Meta and Google apps are well known culprits.


There are several avenues to report your issues to Apple. One way is to use the feedback link I shared below. You can also call Apple Support or use the chat feature in areas where available. Use the links below to report your issues.


Product Feedback - Apple


Official Apple Support


May 1, 2025 01:52 PM in response to Slep3000

Slep3000 wrote:

the screen is dark when I'm driving at 2pm, even though it's set to maximum brightness, I mean, this happens a few minutes after I start driving, I saw exactly the moment when the screen darkened to half the brightness, I looked at the toolbar and it was at maximum. The moment when I need clarity the most is when I'm in the strong sun, and the screen simply reduces its brightness by half, this puts me at risk of an accident, since I'm having great difficulty seeing the screen while driving...🛑🛑🛑
iphone 15 pro max all updates made

By any chance, are you wearing polarizing sunglasses?

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Why is my iPhone screen dark on full brightness in the sun?

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