Change iPhone Display Timeout: Auto-Lock in 60 Sec

Changing your iPhone’s display timeout (called Auto-Lock) controls how long the screen stays lit when you’re not touching it. A shorter timeout saves battery and keeps your phone private; a longer one is handy when reading or following a recipe. 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 11 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. It’s usually on the first page or in your App Library.
Go to Display & Brightness – Scroll down a bit and tap “Display & Brightness.” On older iOS versions it might be called “Display & Brightness” too, but the location is the same.
Tap Auto-Lock – This option is near the bottom of the Display & Brightness screen, under the “Brightness” slider. It shows the current timeout (e.g., “1 Minute”).
Choose a duration – Pick from 30 Seconds, 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 3 Minutes, 4 Minutes, 5 Minutes, or Never. The screen will lock after that amount of inactivity.
Confirm if prompted – If you select “Never,” iOS may ask you to confirm because it drains battery faster. Tap “Don’t Lock” or “OK” to confirm. Your new setting is saved instantly—no need to press a save button.

Common Mistakes

Confusing Auto-Lock with the side button – Auto-Lock only affects the screen when you’re not touching it. Pressing the side button still locks immediately, no matter what you set.
Choosing “Never” and wondering why battery dies – “Never” keeps the screen on indefinitely, which drains battery quickly. It’s best for short periods, not as a permanent setting.
Looking for “Display Timeout” by name – iOS calls it “Auto-Lock.” You won’t find a setting labeled “timeout” anywhere.
Forgetting that Low Power Mode overrides your choice – When Low Power Mode is on, iOS forces Auto-Lock to 30 seconds and you can’t change it until you turn Low Power Mode off.

Tips

Use 30 seconds for maximum battery life – If you’re away from a charger, a 30-second timeout is the most power-efficient.
Set 5 minutes for reading or cooking – A longer timeout is great when you’re following instructions and don’t want the screen to go dark.
Use “Never” with a lock screen widget – If you need the screen on for a long time (like a timer), consider using a lock screen widget instead of changing Auto-Lock permanently.
Turn on “Raise to Wake” – In Settings > Display & Brightness, enable “Raise to Wake” so the screen lights up when you pick up the phone, making a shorter timeout less annoying.
Check your screen brightness – A dimmer screen uses less battery, so you can keep a shorter timeout and still read comfortably.

Troubleshooting

Auto-Lock is grayed out – This happens when Low Power Mode is on. Go to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode. Then Auto-Lock becomes available again.
Screen still turns off too quickly after changing – Make sure you didn’t accidentally set “30 Seconds.” Also, if you have “Attention Aware Features” enabled (on iPhone X or later), the screen may stay on longer when you’re looking at it—but it won’t turn off sooner than your setting.
“Never” isn’t showing – On some corporate-managed iPhones (via MDM), “Never” may be hidden. That’s a policy set by your employer; you can’t override it.
Changes don’t stick after restart – If your iPhone restarts, Auto-Lock should stay as you set it. If it resets, check if you have a configuration profile installed (Settings > General > VPN & Device Management).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my iPhone’s screen turning off after 30 seconds even though I set 1 minute?

Low Power Mode is likely on. When Low Power Mode is enabled, iOS forces Auto-Lock to 30 seconds and grays out the option. Turn off Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery to restore your chosen timeout.

Can I set a custom timeout like 45 seconds?

No. iOS only offers preset durations: 30 seconds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 minutes, and Never. You cannot enter a custom number.

Does changing Auto-Lock affect battery life?

Yes. A shorter timeout (30 seconds) saves battery because the screen—the biggest power drain—is off more often. A longer timeout (5 minutes or Never) uses more battery.

Will Auto-Lock turn off the screen while I’m watching a video?

No. When you’re playing video (in apps like YouTube or Netflix), the screen stays on as long as the video is playing, regardless of your Auto-Lock setting. The same applies to navigation apps like Maps when they’re giving directions.

Is there a way to temporarily keep the screen on without changing Auto-Lock?

Yes. You can use the “Guided Access” feature (Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access) to keep the screen on for a single app session. Or, simply tap the screen occasionally to reset the timer.

Why does my iPhone lock immediately when I press the side button?

That’s normal. The side button always locks the screen instantly, regardless of your Auto-Lock setting. Auto-Lock only applies when you stop touching the screen.

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