How to Change iPhone Auto-Lock (All Models)

Changing your iPhone’s auto-lock setting controls how long the screen stays on when you’re not touching it. A shorter time saves battery and keeps your phone more private; a longer time (or Never) is handy when you’re reading or following a recipe, but it drains battery faster and leaves your phone open to anyone who picks it up. You don’t need any special tools or apps—just your iPhone and a few taps.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone (any model with iOS 12 or later)
Your passcode or Face ID/Touch ID (to confirm changes if asked)

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen or in your App Library. It’s usually on the first page.
Go to Display & Brightness. Scroll down a bit and tap “Display & Brightness.” The exact name might be “Display & Brightness” or “Display” depending on your iOS version, but it’s always near the top of the Settings list.
Tap Auto-Lock. You’ll see it listed under the brightness slider. On some newer iOS versions, it’s under “Always On Display” or “Lock Screen” settings, but it’s still called “Auto-Lock.”
Choose your time. Pick one of the options: 30 Seconds, 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 3 Minutes, 4 Minutes, 5 Minutes, or Never. Tap your choice, then press the Home button or swipe up to go back. The change is saved immediately—no confirmation needed.

That’s it. Your iPhone will now lock automatically after the time you picked, unless you’re actively using it (touching the screen, watching a video, or on a call).

Common Mistakes

Not seeing the Auto-Lock option. If you can’t find it, you might be looking in the wrong place. It’s under Display & Brightness, not under Face ID & Passcode or General. If you’re on an iPhone with Face ID, it’s still there.
Choosing “Never” and forgetting it. That setting will keep your screen on forever, which can burn in older OLED screens and drain battery. Only use it when you truly need it, and switch it back afterward.
Expecting it to lock during video playback. Auto-Lock doesn’t kick in while you’re watching a video or using certain apps that keep the screen awake (like navigation). That’s normal—those apps override the setting.
Changing the wrong setting. Some people confuse Auto-Lock with “Require Passcode” (under Face ID & Passcode). Auto-Lock controls when the screen turns off; Require Passcode controls how soon after that you need to enter your passcode to unlock again.

Tips

Use 30 Seconds for battery. If you want to maximize battery life, set it to 30 Seconds. The screen is the biggest battery drain, so a shorter auto-lock helps.
Use 5 Minutes for reading. If you read long articles or recipes, 5 Minutes is a good balance—it won’t turn off too quickly, but it will still lock eventually.
Never is for specific situations. Use “Never” only when you’re doing something that requires the screen to stay on (like following a workout or a cooking timer) and you can’t tap the screen. Remember to turn it back to a shorter time when you’re done.
Check Low Power Mode. When Low Power Mode is on, your iPhone automatically sets Auto-Lock to 30 Seconds and disables the “Never” option. If you can’t set a longer time, turn off Low Power Mode first.
Use Screen Time to lock specific apps. If you want certain apps to lock sooner, use Screen Time > App Limits, but that’s a different feature—Auto-Lock is system-wide.

Troubleshooting

If your iPhone isn’t locking at the time you set, try these fixes:

Check Low Power Mode. Go to Settings > Battery. If Low Power Mode is on, your iPhone forces Auto-Lock to 30 Seconds and hides the “Never” option. Turn it off and then set your desired time.
Restart your iPhone. Sometimes a glitch can prevent settings from applying. Press and hold the side button and either volume button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Update iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Bugs in older iOS versions can cause Auto-Lock to misbehave.
Reset all settings. If nothing else works, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t erase your data, but it will reset all your preferences (including Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and Auto-Lock). You’ll need to re-enter some settings afterward.
Check for a stuck app. If an app is keeping the screen awake (like a video player or a game), Auto-Lock won’t engage. Close the app by swiping up from the bottom and then swiping the app card away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is “Never” grayed out?

“Never” is grayed out when Low Power Mode is enabled. Turn off Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery, and the option will become available again.

Does Auto-Lock affect battery life?

Yes. A shorter auto-lock time (like 30 seconds) saves battery because the screen turns off sooner. A longer time (like 5 minutes or Never) uses more battery because the screen stays on longer.

Can I set a custom time like 10 minutes?

No, Apple only offers the preset options: 30 Seconds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Minutes, and Never. You can’t type in a custom number.

Will Auto-Lock turn off while I’m on a call?

No. During a phone call, the screen stays off (when you hold it to your ear) or stays on if you’re using speakerphone or FaceTime. Auto-Lock is suspended during calls and video playback.

Does Auto-Lock work when the iPhone is charging?

Yes, it does. Even while charging, the screen will turn off after the set time. If you want the screen to stay on while charging (e.g., to see notifications), you’ll need to set Auto-Lock to Never, but that’s not recommended for long-term use.

What’s the difference between Auto-Lock and Require Passcode?

Auto-Lock controls when the screen turns off. Require Passcode controls how long after the screen turns off you need to enter your passcode to unlock. For example, if Auto-Lock is 1 Minute and Require Passcode is 5 Minutes, you can wake your phone within 5 minutes of it locking and still use Face ID or Touch ID without a passcode.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.