How to Change iPhone Lock Time (Auto-Lock)

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the latest iOS version (the exact menu names may differ slightly on older versions)
Your passcode or Face ID/Touch ID to confirm changes if prompted

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, this may be called “Display & Brightness” or just “Brightness.”
Tap Auto-Lock – This is usually near the bottom of the screen, under “Brightness” and “Night Shift.” If you don’t see it, scroll down.
Choose your preferred time – Select one of the options: 30 Seconds, 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 3 Minutes, 4 Minutes, 5 Minutes, or Never. The screen will lock automatically after the selected time of inactivity. Tap your choice and then press the home button or swipe up to exit Settings.

Common Mistakes

Choosing “Never” accidentally – This disables auto-lock entirely, which drains battery and can be a security risk. Only use it when you need the screen to stay on, like when reading a recipe.
Not noticing the screen still dims – Even with a long auto-lock, the screen may dim after a few seconds of inactivity. That’s normal; the actual lock happens later.
Expecting the setting to apply to all apps – Some apps (like video players or navigation) can override auto-lock and keep the screen on. That’s app-specific, not a system issue.

Tips

Use “Never” sparingly – For most people, 1 or 2 minutes is a good balance between convenience and battery life.
Enable “Raise to Wake” – If you want the screen to turn on quickly when you pick up your phone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and toggle on “Raise to Wake.” That way, a short auto-lock time isn’t annoying.
Check battery usage – If you notice your battery draining fast, a shorter auto-lock time helps. You can see your battery usage in Settings > Battery.
Use guided access for specific apps – If you need the screen to stay on for one app (like a timer or a form), you can use Guided Access (Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access) to disable auto-lock temporarily.

Troubleshooting

Auto-Lock is grayed out – This happens when Low Power Mode is on. Go to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode. Auto-Lock will then be available.
Screen still locks after the chosen time – Check if you have a “Screen Time” passcode or a “Restrictions” setting that forces a specific auto-lock time. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and make sure “Auto-Lock” isn’t blocked.
Can’t find Auto-Lock at all – On very old iOS versions, it might be under Settings > General > Auto-Lock. If you’re on iOS 16 or later, it’s definitely under Display & Brightness.
Setting doesn’t stick – Restart your iPhone (press and hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off). If that doesn’t help, update iOS via Settings > General > Software Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default auto-lock time on iPhone?

The default is usually 1 minute, but it can vary depending on your iOS version and whether you restored from a backup. You can change it anytime.

Can I set auto-lock to 10 minutes?

No, the system only offers 30 seconds, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes, plus “Never.” There’s no custom time option.

Does auto-lock affect battery life?

Yes. A shorter auto-lock time means the screen turns off sooner, which saves battery. A longer time or “Never” uses more battery because the screen stays on.

Why does my iPhone lock immediately even with a long auto-lock?

Check if you have “Require Passcode” set to “Immediately” under Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode). That controls how quickly the passcode is required, not the screen lock itself. Also, check Low Power Mode.

Can I set different auto-lock times for different apps?

No, auto-lock is a system-wide setting. Some apps can override it (like video players), but you can’t set per-app timers.

How do I keep the screen on while reading?

You can set auto-lock to “Never” temporarily, or use the “Guided Access” feature to keep the screen on for a specific app. Remember to turn it off afterward.

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