While, the default setting on iPhone is to switch-off the screen after 30 seconds of inactivity, it also provides the option to stop the screen from automatically turning-off.
In general, preventing the iPhone screen from automatically switching off can be useful in cases where there is a need to prevent the access to information being abruptly interrupted.
- Hands Free Reading: Preventing instructions in a cooking recipe or repair manual being switched off while your hands are busy in cooking or repairing things.
- Presentations: Preventing a slideshow or a static display image/slide from being switched off during a presentation.
- Navigation: Preventing the iPhone screen from being automatically switched-off; while it is actively being used on a mount (not CarPlay) to provide navigation.
In addition to above, you may find the need to prevent the screen of your iPhone from being automatically switched-off, while using Stopwatch or using the Books App.
Prevent iPhone Screen from Turning Off Automatically
While it is easy to prevent the screen of an iPhone from being automatically switched-off, you need to be aware that the Auto-Lock feature in iPhone is designed to conserving battery life and protect the Privacy and Security of your device.
Hence, it is recommended that you either go back to the default (30 second) battery saving Auto-Lock period or go for a balanced (1 to 2 minutes) Auto-Lock period, which should provide enough time to read the Text and Email messages on your iPhone.
Another option is to make use of the “Attention Aware Features” on your iPhone, which have been designed to prevent the screen of an iPhone from automatically switching-off, as long as you are actively looking at the screen.
1. Stop iPhone Screen from Automatically Switching OFF
If required, you can totally prevent the screen of your iPhone from automatically switching-off by using the following steps.
1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
2. On the next screen, scroll down and tap on the Auto-Lock tab.
Note: If the Auto-Lock option is greyed-out, go to Settings > Battery & disable Low Power Mode.
3. On the Auto-Lock screen, select the Never option.
After this, the screen of your iPhone will remain switched ON, until it is manually switched-off by using the ON/OFF button.
2. Prevent iPhone Screen from Switching OFF Frequently
The other option is to prevent the screen of your iPhone from switching-off frequently by increasing its Auto-Lock duration.
1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
2. On the next screen, select a reasonable (1 to 2 minutes) or any other duration that suites your own specific or individual requirements.
As mentioned above, an auto-lock period of 1 to 2 minutes should be good enough to read most regular type of text, email & WhatsApp messages.
3. Prevent Screen Turning-off While iPhone is Being Used
Enabling the built-in “Attention Aware Features” on iPhone can prevent the screen of iPhone from automatically switching-off, as long as you are actively looking at the screen.
1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention.
2. On the next screen, enable Attention Aware Features.
As mentioned in the screenshot, this feature is designed to make iPhone check for attention before dimming and turning-off the display. The Auto-Lock timer automatically gets back into action, if you look away, look down or close your eyes.