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This Android app turns off the display's backlight without turning off the screen, saving battery (root)

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By Luis D.

Published: Feb 25, 2015, 2:43 AM

Android Apps

This Android app turns off the display's backlight without turning off the screen, saving battery (root)

Developer: Erwin Goslawski	Download: Android
Category: Tools	Price: Free / Paid

If you ever tried playing a video with your Android screen turned off, you know what happens - you can't. Most video players simply stop playback, oblivious to the fact that you might be playing a live show video, or a lecture - the kind of content you don't necessarily need to watch, but you have to listen to. Why drain the device's battery by keeping the screen on all the time?

Well, this is Android, which means you don't have to! The app Screen Backlight OFF lets you switch off your LCD display's backlight without turning off the screen itself. Thus, the device will stay awake, media playback will continue, but the screen won't eat up battery. To turn the backlight on again, simply tap the screen. That's all there's to it! However, SBO is a root app, so don't bother with it if your device isn't rooted.

SBO controls with a button residing inside the notifications drawer, which means you can access it from anywhere. It also features a configurable activation delay time, if you need it. It can also let other apps - such as automation tools like Tasker - use it to switch off the backlight.

Screen Backlight Off is a paid app, but members of the XDA Developer board can sideload it for free.

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Luis D. has a multitude of news, features and review articles written for PhoneArena. He adeptly demystifies complex technology topics, such as the development of advanced materials for bendable device displays and the evolution of chipset manufacturing.