How to change how long an iPhone screen stays on
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then Auto-Lock, and choose a time from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, or Never. The screen then stays on for that long without a touch.
Auto-Lock decides how quickly the screen turns off and the phone locks when you are not touching it. A longer time helps when you read recipes or sheet music. A shorter time saves battery and is safer.
Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Display & Brightness
It is in the main Settings list.
Tap Auto-Lock
Scroll down a little to find it.
Choose a time
The options are 30 seconds, 1 to 5 minutes, and Never.
Good to know
If Auto-Lock is greyed out and fixed at 30 seconds, Low Power Mode is on. Turn it off under Settings, Battery.
On iPhones with Face ID, the screen stays on while you are looking at it, even past the time you set. This is called Attention Aware and is under Settings, Face ID & Passcode.
Never is useful for a phone on a stand, but anyone who picks it up can use it. Do not leave it on that setting.
In short: Settings, Display & Brightness, Auto-Lock.
- Apple Support: Keep the iPhone display on longer
Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.