Always-On display is a handy feature available on some of the latest iPhone models. Instead of completely blacking out the screen when not in use, Always-On keeps it lit in order to make relevant information visible. Things that may be of ongoing interest could include the time, widgets, and notifications. If you would like to adjust how your phone behaves in these circumstances, we’re here to show you how to enable, disable, or customize the Always-On display feature on iOS 17 or earlier.
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Always-On display prerequisites
Before we get into the instructions, it’s worth mentioning that the Always-On display feature is so far exclusive to Pro iPhones released in 2022 and later. You will need one of the following devices to use it:
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Odds are that Apple will continue this pattern when the company releases the inevitable Pro and Pro Max versions of the upcoming iPhone 16, but we also hope Apple adds Always-On to the base iPhone 16 and subsequent models.
How to disable or enable Always-On display on iOS
After you’ve verified that you have a compatible iPhone model, you don’t actually have to do anything in order to enable the Always-On feature. This screen mode is active by default, but you can turn it off by following these steps:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Head to the Display & Brightness section.
- Scroll down to the Always-On Display section, and tap to enter it.
- Disable the Always-On Display by using the toggle. The on-screen switch should be gray.
That’s all you need to do. However, despite its name, Always-On display doesn’t actually keep your screen on 24-7 no matter what. The feature automatically deactivates and turns off your screen if you place your phone face down, or when the screen is otherwise obscured, plus when CarPlay is activated and when Low Power Mode or Sleep Focus are enabled.
If you want to reactivate Always-On, just repeat the above steps. This time, make sure the toggle for Always-On turns green. Afterward, every time your iPhone goes to sleep, it will enter the Always-On display mode.
How to customize an iPhone’s Always-On display
Unlike analogous features in newer Android smartphones, the iPhone’s Always-On display opts for a colorful presentation. Instead of an all-black screen displaying the time and notifications, your screen’s wallpaper just dims, thus staying true to the name Always-On. However, some have complained that Always-On is still too bright or distracting. Fortunately, you can optionally customize it and hide the wallpaper and/or notifications by following these steps:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Enter the Display & Brightness section.
- Head to the Always-On Display section.
- Enable/disable the Show Wallpaper and Show Notifications toggles based on your preferences.
It goes without saying that enabling Always-On will consume more battery power. So, if you’re unsatisfied with your current iPhone battery life, disabling this feature is a good idea. You could always try giving the feature a test run for a couple of days to see how you like it. It’s a great way to view basic information quickly, and if this sounds perfect for you, you can also enable the new StandBy mode on iOS 17.