Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
coyote444
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iPhone 11 display brightness flickers on its own

My iPhone 11 will flicker 3 tiers of brightness up and down on its own over and over again. I don’t have the auto adjust brightness setting on and I’ve tried turning off facial awareness but it didn’t help either. I’ve noticed it seems to be triggered by instagram but will continue to flicker after I leave the app. Please help!

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 10:01 AM

3 replies

Ingo2711
User level: Level 10 (93,009 points)

Oct 1, 2026 10:19 AM in response to coyote444

Did you already try to force restart your iPhone 11?


...

  1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
  3. Press and hold the side button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

...

...

copied from: Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


If this does not help, erasing it and setting it up as a new device, without using the latest backup, would be the next step:


...

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Transfer or Reset [device].
  4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  5. Tap Continue.
  6. Choose to keep or delete your eSIM. If you erase your eSIM, you need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.
  7. Enter your device passcode.
  8. Wait for your backup to finish. 
  9. Enter your Apple Account password.
  10. Tap the done button ✔️ on your keyboard.
  11. Wait for your device to reset.
  12. When the process is complete, the Hello screen appears.


...

...


copied from: How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10 (199,348 points)

Oct 1, 2026 12:13 PM in response to coyote444

Possibilities are......


Software....unlikely.....but try the Forced Restart.


Battery......tap Settings > Battery > Battery Health. What is the Maximum Capacity? Needs to be 80% or higher.


Screen......if it's not the software or the battery.....make an appointment at the Apple Store / Genius Bar or take the phone to an authorized Apple service provider.


It would not be all that unusual for the screen to be starting to fail on an iPhone 11.



Alancito
User level: Level 7 (31,566 points)

Oct 1, 2026 11:10 AM in response to coyote444

coyote ~ As your iPhone 11 could be 7 years old, it's worth checking for a weak, aging battery (which can cause various 'unexpected behavior'.) So...


Does your iPhone 11 still have its original battery?


And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...


Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging


õ¿õ¬

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256368595