Where to find and adjust auto-lock on your iPhone
Auto-lock is the feature that turns your screen off after a set period of inactivity. To change it, open Settings, then tap Display & Brightness. At the bottom of that screen, you'll see Auto-Lock with a time option next to it — usually showing 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, or Never.
Tap the current time setting to see all available options. Choose the duration you want, and the change takes effect when ready. There's no confirmation step or restart needed.
If you don't see Auto-Lock in Display & Brightness, you may be in a different menu. Go back to the main Settings screen and look for it there — the exact location varies slightly between iPhone models and iOS versions, but it's always in Settings somewhere near display options.
Key Takeaways
- Auto-Lock is found in Settings > Display & Brightness, and you can set it to turn off your screen anywhere from 30 seconds to never.
- Shorter auto-lock times (30 seconds to 1 minute) protect your phone if you lose it, but require you to unlock it more often during normal use.
- Setting auto-lock to Never means your screen stays on indefinitely, which drains your battery faster and leaves your phone vulnerable if unattended.
- You can temporarily override auto-lock by keeping your phone in use — the timer resets each time you touch the screen.
Why you might want to change your auto-lock time
The default auto-lock setting on most iPhones is 30 seconds or 1 minute. If you find yourself unlocking your phone constantly during reading, video calls, or recipe-checking in the kitchen, a longer duration like 2 or 5 minutes may feel less annoying. If you're concerned about someone picking up your phone when you step away, a shorter time locks it faster.
Some people set auto-lock to Never when they're at home or in a trusted environment, then change it back to a shorter time when they're out. You can adjust this setting as often as you want — there's no limit to how many times you can change it.
What happens when auto-lock triggers
When the time you set runs out without any screen touches, your iPhone's display goes dark and the phone locks. Your Face ID or Touch ID will be required to unlock it again. Any app you were using stays open in the background, so when you unlock the phone, you return to exactly where you left off.
Auto-lock does not close apps, delete data, or interrupt downloads or uploads happening in the background. It only turns off the display and activates the lock screen.
Shorter auto-lock times and battery life
Setting auto-lock to 30 seconds or 1 minute uses slightly less battery than longer durations because your screen turns off sooner. The difference is usually small — maybe 5 to 10 percent over a full day — unless you're someone who leaves your phone sitting on a table with the screen on for long stretches.
If battery life is your main concern, the bigger factor is screen brightness and how often you actually use your phone, not the auto-lock setting. A phone that's locked and in your pocket uses almost no battery regardless of the auto-lock time.
If you can't find the auto-lock setting
On very old iPhone models running older iOS versions, auto-lock might be labeled Auto-Lock or Sleep instead. The location is still in Settings, usually under Display or General settings.
If you're using an iPad instead of an iPhone, the setting is in the same place: Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. The options and behavior are identical.
If you've turned on Guided Access (a feature that locks your phone into a single app), auto-lock may be disabled while Guided Access is active. To check, go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and make sure it's toggled off.
Auto-lock and Face ID or Touch ID
Auto-lock works independently of your biometric security. Whether you use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, auto-lock still triggers after your set time. Once the screen locks, you'll need to authenticate with whichever method you've set up.
If you have Face ID enabled, your phone may unlock automatically when you pick it up and look at it — but only if the screen is already on. Auto-lock turns the screen off, so you'll need to tap the screen or press a button to wake it first, then Face ID will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different auto-lock times for different situations?
Not automatically. You have one auto-lock setting that applies all the time. If you want different times in different places, you'd need to manually change the setting in Settings each time. Some people do this — for example, setting it to Never at home and 1 minute when out — but there's no automation for it built into iOS.
What does "Never" mean for auto-lock?
Never means your screen will not turn off on its own due to inactivity. Your phone will still lock if you press the side button or if you've set up a separate screen timeout in Accessibility settings. The screen will also turn off if your phone overheats or if the battery is critically low.
Does auto-lock affect alarms or timers?
No. Alarms will still ring and timers will still go off even if your screen is locked due to auto-lock. The lock only affects the display, not background functions like alarms, calls, or notifications.
Will auto-lock interrupt a phone call or video call?
No. During an active call, auto-lock is temporarily disabled so your screen doesn't lock while you're talking. Once the call ends, auto-lock resumes normal operation.
Can I turn off auto-lock completely?
Yes. Set it to Never in Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Keep in mind that your screen will stay on indefinitely when you're not using your phone, which will drain your battery faster and leave your phone unlocked if you set it down.