Why do some videos on Instagram get brighter?

If you’re here, that means you’ve noticed the certain Instagram videos get brighter. Unfortunately, this has to do with the uploader’s settings for their video and how they recorded it rather than your on-device settings. However, there is a way to fix this, at least on iPhones. Here’s what you need to know.

Why do some videos get brighter on Instagram?

When watching some videos on Instagram, you may notice that your display brightness increases automatically. In many cases, the glaring brightness and overexposure can irritate your eyes. This is seemingly more prevalent on iPhone devices, though some Android devices also experience this.

Videos shot in HDR — or High Dynamic Range — automatically adjust your display’s brightness when viewed on Instagram. There is a way to fix this, at least on Apple devices.

Can you disable HDR videos from raising brightness on Instagram?

Within Instagram, there is a simple toggle to turn off HDR video playback, at least for the current iOS version of the app. Despite this being an issue for over a year now, a fix hasn’t come to Android.

How to disable HDR playback on Instagram for iPhone:

1. Launch the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your profile icon, in the lower-right corner.
3. Tap on the three-line menu button, in the top-right corner.
4. Scroll down to the Your app and media secion.
5. Select Accessibility and translations.
6. Toggle on the Disable HDR Video PlayBack option.

Hopefully, Instagram will add a way to disable HDR on Android devices soon. We’ll update this article as soon as something changes. If you’re having any other issues, here’s our guide for fixing most Instagram issues.