yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
This app is a life saver for anyone who suffers from "invisible" screen flickering caused by PWM backlight control. Most AMOLED displays control lower than 100% display brightness by PWM. This method is extremely easy to implement, but can cause eye strain and headaches for sensitive people. DC dimming is rare as it is hard to implement without sacrificing color accuracy. This is where OLED Saver comes in handy.

How to use:

- turn off system adaptive brightness

- install the app, allow permissions it requests and enable the service

- set minimum screen brightness to 255 if you want to have the safest value (guaranteed to have zero flickering). After further testing, values as low as 96 seems to be still safe - but test it with your phone to be sure.

- minimise the ongoing notification to hide it from lockscreen

- turn on automatic brightness change from the notification ("A")

- remove OLED Saver from battery optimizations

In some rare cases you will need to suspend the service from notification (while taking screenshots for example, app installer might need it disabled too).

If you have Tasker and root access, you can toggle the service to force 100% brightness automatically. I'm using 100% while viewing videos/pictures and taking photos.

Start service

am startservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService

Stop service (this will remove also notification)

am stopservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService

So far I haven't found any negative point while using this app, just wish it was included in the AOSP code so we could still use adaptive brightness. Anyway, give it a try and share your experience.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] pecholino:
I used to have some trouble watching text on this display under certain light conditions.

I don't know if it is just a placebo effect, but since I've installed this app, I don't feel any discomfort anymore.

I also can't see any difference in picture quality.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
You can easily check if it's working with another phone's camera. People have different sensitivity to PWM flickering, from none to watering eyes. You are probably somewhere in between. Without the app, I had a slight feeling like something was pulling my eyes. As soon as I enabled the app, this sensation has been gone. My wife doesn't see/feel any difference, but I left it enabled for her anyway, just to be on the safe side.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
Thanks a lot for introducing this app. It works.

However I encountered a problem. With this OLED Saver activated and using GCAM to take photos, it boosts the brightness to maximum. Then I went elsewhere like home screen or other app, the auto brightness seemed not working and kept the max. brightness.

Then I tried locking the screen and unlocking, the brightness went up or down randomly, or it worked in some particular patterns I don't know. Anyway, it can't keep the brightness I set previously.

Does anyone has any idea to remedy this? Thanks a lot.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Which GCAM app do you use? I'll try it. In stock camera it doesn't behave this way.

Btw. I tried to contact the developer if he could add global intents so we could control OLED Saver with Tasker and without root, this should help in preventing this kind of behavior. No response so far though. If you are rooted you could use method mentioned in the first post.

Also I'm in touch with Velis Auto Brightness developer - this app offers much more features (customizable automatic brightness levels, apps exclusion and more) and has similar feature for OLED displays, but sadly it doesn't work on status/nav bar as of now. If he manages to use the same method as OLED Saver, we could switch to VAB app.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
The GCAM version is 7.0.009.259843690.

Phone model is M1906F9SH (64G global version) with OE ROM.

Thank you.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Could you send me the link to the particular GCAM apk pls? Different authors might give slightly different results.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
I'm not allowed to post link here, yet.

Please search this file name: PMGC_7.0.009_FinalBuild_V14.apk

It's what I've saved and installed.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Hm, I can't replicate this. I've installed GCAM, enabled max brightness for pictures (but it does nothing, as system brightness is at max already and real dimming is done with OLED Saver, which is not being controlled by GCAM). Moving to/from GCAM doesn't change anything. If I manually suspend OLED Saver from notification, GCAM shows max brightness correctly. On resume it returns to the expected behavior and dimmer display.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
Yeah, sometimes I got what you described. Sometimes it rushes to very very bright, but sometimes it can be very dim...

I'll try reset it again and see how it goes. Thanks for your time.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I think that I saw OLED Saver "crash" once while using the phone - brightness suddenly went to max and was controlled by system. Since I removed this app from battery optimizations, it seems to be stable. Though this does not explain rapid bright/dim changes.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] barth2:
This looks very useful but what is it doing exactly? Is it running the screen at max brightness at all time and using some kind of overlay to dim the screen? Isn't that bad for battery life?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Yes, as you said, running HW brightness at max and putting a translucent overlay over the screen. It's basically SW implementation of DC dimming. It has a small artifacts with very low brightness, especially on grey colors, but otherwise no issues. Impact on battery should be negligible (OLED displays work different than LCD). Here is a nice article with links to more information at the end https://blog.elcomsoft.com/2019/11/...e-11-pro-and-pro-max-google-pixel-4-and-4-xl/
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] barth2:
Has anyone used a high speed cam to determine at which brightness level the a3 flickers, or is it all level below 100%
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶ ̶c̶a̶m̶e̶r̶a̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶a̶n̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶p̶h̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶s̶e̶e̶m̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶f̶l̶i̶c̶k̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶p̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶v̶i̶s̶i̶b̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶v̶e̶l̶ ̶2̶2̶0̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶2̶5̶5̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶f̶a̶r̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶I̶ ̶k̶n̶o̶w̶,̶ ̶p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶S̶a̶m̶s̶u̶n̶g̶ ̶A̶M̶O̶L̶E̶D̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶p̶l̶a̶y̶s̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶P̶W̶M̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶y̶ ̶l̶e̶v̶e̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶l̶o̶w̶ ̶1̶0̶0̶%̶,̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶s̶a̶f̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶u̶m̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶M̶i̶ ̶A̶3̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶ ̶d̶i̶f̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶t̶.̶

Edit: actually PWM seems to kick in at 80% brightness and below.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
Hi _mysiak_,

I changed to some other version of GCAM (without the max brightness view finder) and then this OLED Saver App is working fine afterwards. Thank you.

Then I found, when in very dim setting, occasionally, the white color (now it's actually gray) seems not stable. It could be fluctuating from neutral gray to warmer. Not intrusive, though. Do you see that?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Yes, I noticed that "slow flickering/artifacts" as well. I believe it's the side effect of DC dimming method and probably one of the reasons why it's not so widely used. From what I read, Samsung AMOLED panels are designed to be used with PWM dimming, so we probably can't avoid it with very low brightness. If it's too disturbing, I just move the OLED Saver brightness slider a bit higher (it stops completely at roughly 40% brightness). Using pitch black themes in apps helps too. Not a perfect solution but definitely better than PWM :)

Btw. it's the same for any app using translucent overlays, I tried a couple of them and at similar brightness, all behave the same.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
It seems to be at 80% and below. 81-82% and above should be safe.

Try to change the "basic physical brightness" to value 96, artifacts don't disappear completely, but I don't notice them so often.

Level 96 in OLED Saver corresponds to HW brightness level 82%, which seems to be still free of PWM.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] CLS_phone:
Thanks for the tip. :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] MathePro:
It's really works. Thanks for the tip ???
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] AK47ita:
please can you explain where in tasker I have to put this code ?

Tasker it's so complicated.....
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I'm using this profile:

New Profile "Max Brightness for media" -> app -> select apps (e.g. google photos)
[U]Enter task:[/U]
1. Display AutoRotate -> ON
2. Run Shell as root, command "am stopservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService"
3. Wait 500ms
4. Auto Brightness -> OFF
5. Wait 500ms
6. Display Brightness -> 255

[U]Exit task:
[/U]1. Display AutoRotate -> OFF
2. Display Brightness -> 128
3. Wait 500ms
4. Run Shell as root, command "am startservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService"

After the phone reboot, run the OLED Saver, DISABLE the service manually and run the enter and exit Tasker tasks (or just open one of the apps which are supposed to run at full brightness). For some reason the automatic stopping and starting of the service doesn't work if you don't do this once after a reboot.

This profile prevents error with OLED Saver after a reboot, when it asks for Accessibility services due to "incorrect service shutdown".

New Profile "Stop OLED Saver on shutdown" -> Event Device Shutdown
Enter task:
1. Run Shell as root, command "am stopservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService"

I have also another profile, for apps which force-run in landscape mode (some games etc.) - in such case the overlay sometimes stays in portrait mode, while the app runs in landscape.

New Profile "OLED Saver for landscape" -> state "Display Orientantion Landscape"
[U]Enter and Exit tasks:
[/U]1. Test Display, type AutoRotate, store result in %ROTATION
2. If %ROTATION ~ off
3. Run Shell as root, command "am stopservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService"
4. Wait 1 second
5. Run Shell as root, command "am startservice org.js.oledsaver/.MainService"
6. End If

Edit: all shell tasks must have enabled option "continue after error". Shell command for some reason returns error code even if it's successful.

Hope it helps, have fun :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] AK47ita:
wow!!!Thank you very much, you are very kind!I'll try as soon as possible
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I forgot to mention that all shell tasks must have enabled option "continue after error". Shell command for some reason returns error code even if it's successful.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Tathagata Nandi:
Fingerprint doesn't work while the service is running!
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Mine works perfectly fine with OLED Saver service running - with the display off, on ambient display, lock screen, unlocked screen, in apps..

You'll need to be more specific about what/when/how isn't working if you want some help.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] airon11:
I really like this app...but I feel that auto brightness ramp is quite fast...if I set brightness when in a dark room the when I go to a light ambient it is too bright...if I then adjust it when I go back to darkness it is too dark....anyone with same problem?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I find the default behavior OK, I rarely need to adjust the brightness slider manually. What is your basic physical brightness value?

Not sure if you know app Velis Auto Brightness, but it has fully customisable automatic control of brightness. Currently it can't dim notifications and lock screen, but developer is working on an update. Once it's ready, we should have a more powerful app in our hands (Tasker support, custom brightness graph etc.).
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] airon11:
I have 111 as basic brightness in the app..

I know velis also but ac dimming mode as you said is not working on navbar and status bar, so if works in normal pwm way...

I have used it in the last a lot and tried also now in this mi a3..I prefer this oled saver as of now...just feel like possibility to adjust the brightness curve is.missing in this app..
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I don't think that OLED saver will get any major update, so I keep my hopes high with Velis app. As the last resort option, I have an idea about how to use Tasker with Twilight app to configure custom automatic brightness control. Though I would like to avoid reinventing the wheel, so hopefully Velis will find the time.. :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] airon11:
I hope that too!

?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] adamuadamu:
I got my mi a3 couple of days ago and the app is a real life saver. I can't deal with a small issue, ie. when the screen is really dim, some backgrounds like here, on xda, keep flashing changing its colors every half second or so. Disabling OLED saver makes the colors stable, but could you possibly point me to a solution? Tried to setup according to posts here, changing initial brightness to some higher values, but it changes nothing
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Unfortunately this seems to be a HW limitation of Samsung AMOLED panels, they are built for PWM dimming (easier and cheaper to implement than doing a high quality DC dimming). The best workaround is to use black themes in apps (avoid grey ones) and/or increase the display brightness to the level where this issue isn't so obvious. It's not a perfect solution, but IMHO still better than PWM. :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Hellboy4:
will it drain more battery ? or in some way actually it safe more battery
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Most probably there won't be any difference. The overall power consumption should be the same in average.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] nubru:
volume slider stuck

I noticed recently that after pressing the volume buttons on my Pixel XL the volume dialog wouldn't go away, and I found this and turned off OLED Saver in the Accessibility options and sure enough the volume panel goes back as expected! the only problem with that is that I'd have to turn it on when I wanted to use it or have the volume sliders there for ages when it's in use.... is there any way you could resolve this? thanks.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Unfortunately only developer can fix this. I tried to contact him to no avail.

To dismiss the volume panel click anywhere on the screen, it will get away immediately.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] barth2:
Search for OLED saver on play store. It doesn't require root
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Swagnik:
Lowest brightness

Actually I need the lowest brightness on Mi a3 without any root or any harm to the device!!

I managed to get it using OLED saver but I have a feeling that the device is being harmed by using this app!!

The first I installed the app I was testing to get the min brightness by change the numbers from max to min and once the device restarted itself :confused: !!

So plz suggest the best setting or any other application capable of the thing most of the apps just covers the display with a dark sheet or something like that........ Disgusting!!!!!

Any help will be appreciated

Thanks in advanced!
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
This app doesn't harm your device. Not sure why your phone restarted, but I never experienced this issue (nor my other A3 phone).

OLED display uses PWM method for dimming by default, under 80% it starts to be visible. The lower the brightness is, the lower PWM frequency is used. Further lowering of PWM frequency would just be visible (as it is even today to sensitive eyes).

Second method is direct control of OLED pixels. This is done either in kernel or by applying a semi transparent dark overlay over the whole screen. The result is exactly the same - lowered brightness without PWM. However most OLED panels are not fully capable of DC dimming and start showing artefacts after some threshold (colors instability, shift in hue,..).

OLED saver (and some other) combine both methods to allow the lowest brightness possible for the given hardware. You could try combining OLED saver with another app, so you'll have PWM + dark overlay + dark overlay. It won't look good and will strain your eyes, but if that's what you want..

No idea why would you need such a low brightness in the first place though, it might be easier to put on sunglasses or tinted sun blocking film over the screen (can be purchased on ebay for car windows).. :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Swagnik:
Thanks for the quick reply !!

And i need a low brightness to prevent getting spotted at late night........

Another qs does usage of this app results in(comparatively more) battery drop ??
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
There is no negative impact on the battery by using this app or DC dimming method in general.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Jugnu999:
1. In Oled Saver , do we have to adjust "Phone's Stock Brightness Slider" to 100%" before activating this App?

( In order to fully remove flickering as in Samsung phones it starts to flicker even slightly below 100%)

2. Will keeping stock brightness full , affect Oled display panel in long run?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
1. stock brightness slider moves automatically, based on the "basic physical brightness" setting in OLED saver. I am using value "96" (which equals to 80% stock brightness, which is still flicker free on Mi A3).

2. There is no permanent/long term negative effect of using DC dimming over PWM as far as I know.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Jugnu999:
Great,

One more thing please,

What if we keep Value to full "255" . Is there any harm?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
No harm, value defines the threshold between using stock and OLED saver dimming. 255 = OLED saver is used exclusively. 96 = brightness values between 100 and 80% are controlled by stock system, below 80% OLED saver kicks in with its own overlay method.

The best way how to find YOUR value:

1. disable OLED saver and automatic brightness

2. take a second phone or camera and use slow shutter speed

3. move system brightness slider from 100% and decrease it until you see black stripes on the camera

4. find the lowest value where it doesn't show any artefacts on the camera

5. convert system brightness value to OLED "basic physical brightness" value (sorry but don't know the exact formula, you'll need to try different values)

6. enable OLED saver with new value and just let it do its thing :)

7. double check with camera that it's still without black bars
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Jugnu999:
Very well explained, Big Thanks. ☺

One last thing,

If there's No harm in setting up to full Value (255). What's the benefit/purpose of finding "best lowest Value" ?

(assuming that 255 would give absolutely no flicker at all)

Wouldn't decreasing max physical brightness (below 255), will cause low brightness and difficulty in outdoors?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
From my experience, with value 255 you can achieve very low brightness, but it also brings some artifacts (inaccurate colors, slow flicker of grey areas,..) and automatic brightness tends to be on the darker side (although you can make it brighter from OLED saver notification) . With value 96, the minimum brightness isn't that low, but shows minimum of artefacts and is still without PWM.

For outdoor usage there's absolutely no difference, screen will be at 100% brightness, there won't be any PWM or DC dimming in use, it doesn't matter what you define in OLED saver.

I prefer value 96, but you might find 255 better suited for your needs (and easier to configure :)). I'd suggest you to experiment a little.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] Jugnu999:
Interesting... Thanks once again :good:

I would expirement around 96-126 Values.

What's the purpose of Pixel Filtering?

Do u recommend it? :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I am not sure about this, but I think that with pixel filtering, there is used a different type of overlay (checkerboard) where only every other pixel is filtered. It is causing distorted pixelated view at lower brightness levels, so I'm not using it. :) Maybe on 1080p display the result's better, but with 720p it's awful.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] °Dexter°:
I'm going to try this app, unfortunately I'm having pwm issues with S21 Ultra, it appears its getting worse and worse over generations (no issues on s10+, slight eye tiredness with s20+, s21 ultra is a step "further", close to absolute worst I had so far, iPhone XS).

Just a quick question: I've read play store reviews and someone is concerned about "reading screen" permission combined with network usage permissions...is there any actual privacy concern here?
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I guess that no one can really guarantee anything without full access to the source code, but I have analyzed the app in a couple of tools and haven't found anything suspicious. App did not contact any web server and didn't store any data (at least during my tests). If you are concerned about network access, I would suggest using firewall app on the phone. "Read screen" access is mandatory to display full screen overlay and it's not possible to bypass it with recent versions of Android.

Btw. Velis auto brightness app should have this feature as well, at the moment it's a little broken (doesn't work on lockscreen for example), but developer is trying his best to solve these issues. Try VAB and drop a message to developer if you want. :) https://xdaforums.com/t/app-2-2-velis-auto-brightness-4-70-249-alpha.1910521/
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] °Dexter°:
Thank you, read screen is normal of course, my doubt was about network access, but your tests reassure me.

Unfortunately Velis not working on lockscreen is a real issue, I'm a low brightness guy (not ideal with pwm sensitivity), I'm already suffering because Oled saver doesn't work on fingerprint icon in lock screen and on bubble notifications (and those flashes are a pita)

Overlay doesn't work good in landscape either, there is just a vertical strip as if display was in portrait...:(
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
For the overlay issue try to disable and enable OLED saver from the app itself, it should work fine then. I had this issue when I force closed OLED saver with Tasker, but it works correctly if the app is kept just running.

At the end I just gave up on AMOLED displays. PWM flicker (or DC dimming with artifacts), unrealistic colors (even if eye catching), black crush.. No idea why are manufacturers so ignorant to these issues, but I will stick to LCD displays until they fix AMOLED technology.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] °Dexter°:
Overlay fixed by itself actually, probably by enabling and disabling app as you suggested, I just noticed it works now.

Recent xiaomi phones have high pwm frequency (over 500hz) if I'm not mistaken.

I'm on Galaxy S21 ultra now, never had major issues with Samsung devices in the past, this is the first one unfortunately.

Anyway it's manageable with Oled saver
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
I'm afraid that PWM is still mostly around 200-300hz, which is the same as Samsung has (which makes sense as Xiaomi is often using AMOLED panels from Samsung). I wouldn't expect 500hz to be a life saver, just a marginally better.

Anyway, I'm glad that you sorted it out with OLED saver. :)
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] GunKneeNeon:
Not working on my Galaxy note 3 (Lollipop), cannot lower the brightness. Its no difference between stock high brightness and with this app.
[Xiaomi Mi A3 Themes, Apps, and Mods] _mysiak_:
Try Velis Auto Brightness with super dimming feature, it should still work on prehistoric Android versions.