Getting the current screen brightness

Question

I want to get the real brightness value from the background. I have tried several ways:

1.

    curBrightnessValue =android.provider.Settings.System.getInt(
                getContext().getContentResolver(),
                android.provider.Settings.System.SCREEN_BRIGHTNESS);

But if the screen brightness is on Auto mode the value remain constant.

2. Reading the sys/class/backlight/brightness/

   This is a good way but I want a way without reading a file.

Answer 1

Use the following code to get the brightness of the background (This will also allow you to change the value of brightness if you wish to):

Settings.System.putInt(
    cResolver,
    Settings.System.SCREEN_BRIGHTNESS_MODE,
    Settings.System.SCREEN_BRIGHTNESS_MODE_MANUAL);
brightness =
    Settings.System.getInt(
        cResolver,
        Settings.System.SCREEN_BRIGHTNESS);  
System.out.println("Current Brightness level " + brightness);

Answer 2

To my knowledge, it cannot be done any other way in Auto mode. See this answer.