Disable always-on screen: iPhone + Android (2024)

Co-author ofDarlene Antonelli, MA

Last updated: April 21, 2023Facts checked

Things you need to know

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1. 1

   Open settings

   .Tap the app icon with some gears on a light gray background.

   • AOD is enabled by default for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new technology in this phone allows the screen to stay on and refresh to display useful information such as time, widgets and wallpaper.
2. 2

   PressDisplay and brightness.This will be next to a blue 'aA' icon under 'General'.

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3. 3

   Tap the switch next to itAlways onto turn it off

   .If the switch is white and points to the left, the function is disabled.

   • If you leave AOD enabled, there are other ways to force AOD to disable. Your iPhone's screen goes dark when it is facing down, in your pocket or bag,Sleep focus is activated,The energy saving mode is enabled, to which it is connectedCarPlay, you're usingContinuity camera, you haven't used it in a while (for example, if you have a sleep schedule oralarms activated), or if you have oneparret Apple Watchand has gone away from your iPhone.^[1]
   • If you don't want to enable AOD, you can fix your iPhone's screen insteadstay longer.

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1. 1

   Open settings

   .Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the quick panel and tap the gear icon.

2. 2

   PressLock screen.It's next to a padlock icon on a green background.

3. 3

   Tap the switch next to itAlways on displayto turn it off

   .If the switch is gray and points to the left, the feature is disabled.^[2]

   • If you want to keep AOD enabled, you can do thatchange the clock so it looks differenton your screen.
   • You can also tap the Always On Display icon in the Quick Panel to quickly turn off AOD without going through the settings. Just swipe down twice from the top of your screen to fully open the quick panel and look for the Always On Display icon (it looks like a rectangular clock).
   • If it's not there, you can add it to the quick panel by tapping on it+. Again, look for the icon in the menu at the top of your screen, tap it and drag it toadd it to your quick panel.

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1. 1

   Open settings

   .Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all the apps on your phone and tap the app with the gear icon.

   • Some other phone manufacturers such as OnePlus, Huawei and Asus phones use the same steps to disable AOD.
2. 2

   PressScreen.It's next to an icon of a sun that is half dark and half light, and is usually at the top of the menu.

3. 3

   PressLock screen.This will take you to the menu where you can change your lock screen settings.

4. 4

   Tap the switch next to itAlways show time and informationto turn it off.If you have a Pixel 4, this is called "Idle Lock Screen."^[3]

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1. 1

   Keep important information at a glance.Instead of having tolift to wake upoftap your phone screenTo see important notifications, the Always-On Display stays on so you can always see your phone's screen.

   See Also

   iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: What does the extra Rs 10,000 get you and is it worth it?

   • Are you waiting for an important email? With AOD you can see the moment an email message arrives!
2. 2

   Your iPhone lock screen wallpaper is no longer fleeting.Have you spent countless hours perfecting yourLock screen wallpaperonly to have it appear for just a second before unlocking your iPhone? The good news for iPhone users is that AOD keeps your precious lock screen wallpaper visible for longer!

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1. 1

   It's not good for privacy if you have an iPhone.Currently, AOD on iPhone means your notifications are constantly displayed in their entirety, while Android users only have an app icon for that notification, which isn't a privacy issue. However, you can change the notifications so that they only appear when your iPhone is activeunlocked or never, but you also won't receive push notifications as quickly as you would like.

   • You can also change notifications so that previews don't share your text message, so someone sitting next to you can't read your screen.^[4]
   • Change how notifications are displayedSettings > Notifications. To change the notification settings for a specific app, e.g. Messages, scroll down and select it from the list of appsThe messagemenu.
2. 2

   There is a risk of burning the screen.The AOD is probably not bright enough to leave permanent ghosting, but it is entirely possible. Android avoids the possibility of screen burn with the clock and notifications flashing across the screen, but the iPhone's AOD has static information. The iPhone also has OLED screens, which are prone to screen burn.

   • You can eitherrepair a burnt screen yourself or have it done by a professional. But you can prevent AOD burn-in by disabling the AOD feature or turning your phone face down if you don't need to see the AOD.
3. 3

   It distracts.AOD on iPhone makes it look like your phone's screen is on and makes any notifications you receive much more distracting. On Android, you can choose when you want the AOD to appear: immediately, as scheduled, or just for new notifications. So this isn't really a big deal for Android users, but iPhone users can prevent this from becoming a distraction byuse of focus modes.

4. 4

   It can drain your iPhone's battery.Since Android's AODmakes the screen black, it doesn't use as much battery as an iPhone's AOD. iPhone AOD simply dims the current lock screen so all those pixels on your screen have to stay on, draining your battery. This means that AOD does not work with power saving modes eitheriPhoneofAndroid.

   • You can change your lock screen wallpaper to a black screen to save iPhone battery.

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