How to Prevent Your iPhone Screen from Auto-Turning Off

Does your iPhone screen keep turning off while you’re in the middle of something important? This common issue can be frustrating, especially when you’re reading, watching a video, or using your phone for work. Fortunately, there are easy ways to fix this problem by adjusting your iPhone’s settings. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to prevent your iPhone screen from auto-turning off and explain why this feature exists in the first place.

Your iPhone’s screen timeout is a default feature called Auto-Lock, designed to conserve battery life and prevent accidental taps when the screen is idle. But depending on your usage, this feature can feel inconvenient. Let’s explore how you can fully control when your screen turns off.

What is Auto-Lock and Why Does Your iPhone Screen Turn Off?

First, it’s essential to understand what Auto-Lock does. The Auto-Lock feature on iPhone dims and eventually turns off the screen after a preset period of inactivity—usually 30 seconds to 5 minutes. While this saves battery and ensures security, it may disrupt tasks like reading instructions, browsing, or streaming content.

For instance, imagine you’re working on a recipe, and your screen keeps turning off before you finish reading instructions. Fixing this issue ensures your phone stays active as long as you need it.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Keep Your Screen On Longer

Here’s how you can easily make your iPhone’s screen stay on longer—or even permanently—using Auto-Lock settings:

1. Go to Settings

Unlock your iPhone and locate the Settings app (it looks like a gear icon). Tap to open it.

2. Find the Display & Brightness Option

In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. This section allows you to adjust how your screen behaves.

3. Adjust the Auto-Lock Settings

Scroll down to find the Auto-Lock option. Tap on it, and you’ll see a list of timing options, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and Never.

4. Choose the “Never” Option

To prevent your iPhone screen from turning off automatically, select Never. Once selected, your screen will stay awake until you manually lock the phone by pressing the side button.

For those who don’t want their iPhone screen to stay on indefinitely, choosing a longer duration, such as 5 minutes, works well as a middle ground between convenience and battery conservation.

Examples of When You May Want to Disable Auto-Lock

Knowing how to control your iPhone’s screen timeout can enhance your day-to-day activities. Here are a few examples of situations where disabling or extending Auto-Lock becomes handy:

1. Reading E-books or Articles: If you’re reading an article or a detailed document, you don’t want the screen dimming every few seconds. Adjusting Auto-Lock solves this problem.
2. Following a Tutorial or Recipe: Whether tinkering with a DIY project or cooking in the kitchen, keeping your screen awake ensures uninterrupted access to instructions.
3. Using as a Work Display: If you’re projecting your iPhone screen for a presentation or using it as a reference during a meeting, a constantly active screen ensures smooth functionality.
4. Watching Long Videos: Although video playback apps like YouTube override Auto-Lock, some scenarios, such as viewing embedded content in Safari, could benefit from the setting.

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Considerations for Battery Life and Screen Burn-in

While disabling Auto-Lock is helpful, it’s important to understand its impact on your device. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Battery Drain:
   • Keeping your screen on for extended periods consumes more battery power. To counter this, ensure your iPhone is sufficiently charged or plugged in during prolonged use.
   • Consider using Low Power Mode when focusing on screen time to prioritize essential power functions.
2. Screen Burn-in:
   • OLED screens (found on newer iPhones) are susceptible to burn-in if static images remain on the screen too long. To avoid this, regularly change the on-screen content or manually lock your phone when not actively in use.

How to Use This Feature Wisely

While disabling Auto-Lock entirely is tempting, it’s wise to use this feature in moderation. For example, you might selectively use the “Never” setting while reading or working, but switch back to a shorter interval—such as 2 or 5 minutes—afterward. Doing so balances convenience with battery conservation and device longevity.

Moreover, some situations may require alternate solutions. If you’re looking for how to make your phone not turn off in specific apps like reading or streaming, check the app’s settings—many apps override Auto-Lock under certain conditions.

Practical Tips to Keep Your iPhone Screen On

Let’s explore some practical applications and questions, ensuring the following helpful phrases are highlighted:

• If you’re wondering how to make your phone not turn off, adjusting Auto-Lock settings is the easiest solution.
• To know how to make phone not turn off during tasks like video streaming or tutorials, always ensure Auto-Lock is disabled or set to a longer timer.
• Following the steps outlined here is equally effective if you’re asking how to make your screen not turn off regardless of what you’re doing.
• Looking for how to make screen not turn off while multitasking? Using the “Never” setting ensures your screen stays active.
• Lastly, for anyone struggling with how to stop phone from turning off during presentations or similar tasks, manually adjusting the Auto-Lock setting in Display & Brightness is your go-to fix.

Other Tips for Managing Screen Timeout

Aside from the Auto-Lock feature, here are additional tips to keep your iPhone screen active when needed:

1. Keep Your Device Plugged In:
   • When connected to a charger, your iPhone is less likely to shut off for battery conservation. For extended use, keep your device plugged in to avoid interruptions.
2. Check for Power-saving Features in Specific Apps:
   • Some apps, like navigation maps or fitness trackers, automatically keep your screen active while in use. Verify if these apps support extended screen time.
3. Use Guided Access Mode:
   • If you’re working on a specific task, try using Guided Access (under Accessibility settings) to lock your phone into one app. Guided Access keeps your screen on for as long as required.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to prevent your iPhone screen from auto-turning off with simple adjustments to settings. By customizing the Auto-Lock duration or disabling it entirely, you can ensure your screen stays on for as long as needed, whether you’re reading, following guides, or using your phone for work. Just remember to balance convenience, battery life, and device care.