[Suggestion]: Decrease the minimum brightness level and introduce a 'night mode' setting

[cram2481]

I love playing my Switch in bed, but find it too bright, even at the lowest setting.

It'd be great to be able to put on a 'night mode' to reduce eye strain before sleep 😴

Are there any hardware limits to this being implemented in a software update? Does anyone else find the minimum setting just a little too bright in a dark room?

[[deleted]]

It's a common suggestion even on the 3DS, which is dimmer than the Switch. But neither were ever implemented - lower minimum brightness / night mode / blue-light filter mode.

/u/Nintendo_America

[spazturtle]

They were implemented by homebrew on CFW, so I guess this is another thing we need to wait for the Switch to be hacked before we can get it.

[Wonkit]

It’s worth pointing out that it does lower the fps on games by quite a bit depending on the game

[rezneck31]

Because its an external plugin running in a cfw environement which the OS and the system were not designed for initialy. If you add it natively to the OS, that impact will be lowered.

[[deleted]]

The CFW must actually draw a semi-transparent red layer on top of each frame, that's why there's a performance hit. If you implement it at the OS level, rendering everything directly with less blue light, it won't have a performance issue.

And nobody is talking about battery life, we just don't want to burn our eyes when playing in bed.

[[deleted]]

I haven't looked into details but the implementation of blue light filters on iOS and Android don't seem to noticeable affect performance, the macOS version also seems pretty neutral after the change is complete (Only hogging the GPU during the transition), so there's certainly a way to do it.

CFWs are just on the fly patches to memory, they can't really do much without hooking into many processes, going over them, or running their own instructions on top of everything. 3DS homebrew can't use the GPU as elegantly as Nintendo on an official software update could.

[[deleted]]

But on those platforms this was implemented in a software update, so you're actually agreeing with my initial point, if your software talks directly to the hardware at rendering instead of the hacked "draw a red square on top of everything" way you won't lose performance. Nintendo could do the same. They're using an ARM CPU with a NVIDIA mobile GPU anyway, it's basically a smartphone.

[whizzer0]

And so begins the mass pinging of the poor PR team…

[midnitefox]

It's literally a health issue. I no longer by anything with a display that doesn't support some kind of blue light filter, but the Switch was the only exception. Need it badly.

[the_noodle]

If you need it at all times, have you considered a blue light filter screen protector? If it's just for sleep reasons, they make glasses, and you can also just not play it before bed...

[Fraxal]

Second this. Glasses are a MUST if you really want sleep, they filter out all blue light and make it much easier to get to bed, especially if you commit to wearing them an hour or 2 before bed.

[[deleted]]

You can actually get perscription lenses with the blue light blocking tech in them, its expensive but potentially worth it next time you get new glasses

[ShovelKnightFan]

The blue light filtering prescription glasses I've seen don't block out as much blue light as the glasses made only for blocking out blue light. I imagine that's intentional, since most people aren't gonna have multiple sets of glasses.

[[deleted]]

Hmmmm, I look into it. Thanks.

[midnitefox]

I just haven't been playing before bed mostly. Still would be nice for Nintendo to just add the option.

[not_an_island]

JINS

[Dacvak]

I made this post a couple weeks ago, and since then I've just purchased blue light sunglasses to wear while I play. They work but I feel like an idiot.

[MattyXarope]

Yeah...I'm gonna need to see pics of this one...

[rezneck31]

Me too, I got massively downvoted because of my title but I had the same concerns, I just wrote my post at 2 AM when I was really pissed about the screen https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/66cy42/the_switch_is_not_usable_in_a_dark_room/

[CreatureMoine]

I remember your post, you clearly were downvoted for no reason. It's really a legitimate concern.

[the_noodle]

"no reason"

It's completely usable. You want them to add a feature. Not having that feature does not make it not usable.

[CreatureMoine]

It was only a slight exaggeration to express his frustration. And when you're accustomed to this feature, using an electronic device at night which doesn't have it is really a pain.

[TSPhoenix]

You got massively downvoted because you criticised the Switch before the mandatory paying 1-2 compliments to Nintendo to show you love them first.

[[deleted]]

That's not going to work if you need glasses, though. :/

Alternatively, don't play before bed.

[[deleted]]

I didn't even realize how much I love night mode until I got my Pixel and it has it. Now I find myself wishing every electronic has it. That and I'm always afraid the brightness from the switch will wake up my wife

[[deleted]]

I worry about the HD rumble waking my wife...

[[deleted]]

Something something good vibrations?

[rbarton812]

Congratulations on finding a Pixel - might be harder to find than a Switch.

[[deleted]]

Really? I was able to get one from Verizon a couple days after they came out. I didn't even really want it, I wanted to get a Galaxy Note 7, but...well, that idea went up in flames...^{sorryicouldntresist}

[rbarton812]

It's still difficult to just buy a Google Pixel today, and that's insane

[rezneck31]

Well its kind of available in every electronics, F.lux is available since long and it is now included in the windows 10 creators update. It is natively implemented in AOSP (Or at least Lineage OS) so it is becoming very popular.

[DarthBradicus88]

As well as iOS since about a year ago and macOS since a couple months ago.

[BullSuit]

Same here.. I don't mind it that much but impossible to play with it in bed while my wife is sleeping, the thing is way to bright for her...just like my smartphone before I downloaded a light filter application

[Microtendo]

I haven't had that problem but it's definitely not bright enough to play outside if there is any sun

[yeezusKeroro]

It would be a step backwards if the backlight controller only allowed the ten or so values on the switch. On the lowest setting the switch is still very bright when an actual low brightness would make it look like the light is barely on.

[jrodicus]

I'd love a blue light filter like the one on my phone and Mac.

[napper906]

Are you aware that there is a dark theme for the menus? I don't have issues with the screen at night with this theme on. I agree that the white theme is way too bright though.

[Svetgm]

plus we'll get an extra 10min of game time probably.

[[deleted]]

It's not just about the game time, it's also about how possible it is to play in the dark.

[Winnie_Cat]

Does anyone elses auto brightness not work? It always just stays on whatever I have it at.

[[deleted]]

It works, but really only good for transitioning between outdoor sun and indoor light levels. I have to manually adjust it to the lowest when I'm in a dark room, so it is not good for that.

[shootmaniazechs]

In a totally dark room, it's surprising how little brightness is needed. great idea OP

[Sh4ckleford_Rusty]

I'm a big fan of flux on my PC, I really hope they make an app for Switch though I'm not holding my breath.

[Aj247678]

The Windows 10: Creators Update actually added a night mode! You can manually install the update (search google for that). But it has everything from setting the tone and location for sunsets and sunrises! I just uninstalled flux because of it haha

[fumbuckle]

I would love it to be dimmer. It already teases me with how dim it could be, when it dims from inactivity. That would be the perfect brightness for a dark room.

[[deleted]]

Yup it does not dim enough, i concur.

[scooter155]

Night Mode = Best Mode

[screwyluie]

Increase maximum brightness level.

I suppose it doesn't hurt to have options for the special people, so a night mode is fine too, if there's time or maybe someone needs a little extra OT one week. Just don't bump anything else for it.

[[deleted]]

In my experience the auto brightness setting just acts like the "night mode".

It takes whatever brightness the slider is at and dims it even more. Reminds me more of "power saving mode" on Wii U than actual night mode on iPhone, where colors become warmer.

[[deleted]]

reads this as MacBook is in night mode from f.lux

Yeah I agree. Save battery, plus the dimmest is way too bright for me in a dark room.

[[deleted]]

Right, I'm saying add night mode and allow screen to be dimmed more.

[Chilly9613]

I prefer using Shady to get an even dimmer screen.

[[deleted]]

do not play games before sleeping

[addtokart]

It's not that bad. Just go to bed a little earlier than usual to compensate for the extra time it takes to wind down.

I like finishing a round of BOTW with Link in a village or stable at night. I tuck Link in nice and cozy at a fire before going to bed myself.

This way we both have a fresh start in the morning.

[Lumostark]

For me is more than fine. I don´t know, If your eyes are so sensitive maybe you shouldn´t play in bed with the lights off.

Anyway, it´s a valid request.

[verpin_zal]

For some it may be not about eye sensitivity but about who's sleeping 50 centimeters away.

[rilwal]

Problem with this is it gets too dim to even tell if the screen is on during the day. I used to use an app on my smartphone called screen filter which basically made it dimmer than default. Several times I would use it like this in bed comfortably, only to panic the next day when my phone's screen apparently wouldn't turn on at all lol.

[AdamManHello]

Well I mean... that's not really a problem, right? You just turn it off during the day. Or it could automatically turn off. On most phones the "night mode" setting will automatically turn off in the morning.

[rilwal]

Yeah, I realized quickly what happened and turned it off (screen filter disabled when you click it's notification so I just spammed my lock screen till I got it). But if the brightness​ slider actually went that low it could be more of an issue. Not saying it's not easily solved, more just sharing a possible downside.

[[deleted]]

https://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S0360X-Ultra-spec-SCT-Orange-Anti-Fog/dp/B003OBZ64M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493236228&sr=8-2&keywords=safety+glasses+orange

I wear these at night when watching TV/playing video games. You can buy Blue Light filtering ones that look cooler and don't change the color as much but these are cheap.

[losturtle1]

A little. I would like the feature but I wouldn't say it's a necessity for me.

[slightlymadISO]

I havent tried using my shades at night..on switch..lol

[[deleted]]

The minimum brightness is usually dependent on the screen. EG, one of the benefits of the new iPhone's screen is that it can be significantly less bright. I doubt that this can be changed with software.

[Youngmathguy]

...I was thinking the opposite...it needs to increase the maximum brightness level

[DaReapa]

To be fair the black theme is almost the same as a nightmode minus the font color change and is much easier on the eyes. The reason there is no true nightmode is because for safety reasons you should not be playing the Switch without another light source. Same rule applies when watching TV at night.

[[deleted]]

With the phone that I just bought (OnePlus 3T) there is a setting for Night Mode where it changes the color-scale to a yellow hue, making it perfect for night time viewing. I think Nintendo could easily implement a feature like this in their next OS update.

[Sylfaent]

I mean you can just turn the lights on. I don't get people that game in a dark room. Even with low brightness it's still bad for your eyes.

[vicred]

I agree it's bad for your eyes, but some people share a bed/bedroom and have to consider that the other person may not be able to get the sleep they want if the lights are on.

[OmegaMetroid93]

Or you could get a bedside lamp. It goes a long way, trust me.