Adjust iPhone Screen Timeout Settings for Better Control

Samuel Spenser Published on September 19, 2025Unlock iOS3-min reading

In the process of daily use of the iPhone, many people will encounter a problem: the screen is either too fast to lock or stays lit for a long time to consume power. In fact, it all has to do with the screen timeout setting. Adjusting the screen extinguishing time properly will not only avoid the trouble of frequently lighting up the screen, but also improve the experience when you need to read or watch content for a long time, while helping you better manage battery life. Here's how you can change your iPhone's screen timeout to make it work for you.

Part 1. What Is Screen Timeout on iPhone or iPad

While using your iPhone or iPad, you may have noticed that the screen automatically dimmed or even locked after a period of inactivity. This mechanism is the screen timeout. Simply put, it is an automatic lock screen function set by the system according to your usage habits, which can not only protect privacy but also save power.

Screen timeout settings determine the length of time the screen remains lit in a non-operating state. For example, you can set the time to 30 seconds, a minute, or more to suit different usage scenarios. For users who like to read e-books or browse the web for a long time, extending the time can avoid frequently lighting up the screen; For those who value battery life, a shorter time is more beneficial.

Whether it's an iPhone or an iPad, understanding and mastering "what is screen timeout" is the first step to properly adjusting the device experience.

Part 2. How to Change Screen Timeout on iPhone

When you want to keep the screen on longer, or when you want it to lock faster, you need to change the iPhone screen timeout setting. The path is the same for all models, including how to change the screen timeout on the iPhone 13, whether it's the latest or the old. Here are the specific steps:

If you're using an iPad, it's pretty much the same. To change the iPad screen timeout, find Auto-Lock in Display & Brightness. In this way, you can flexibly adjust the screen timeout according to your usage habits, whether you're using an iPhone or an iPad.

Part 3. Why Can't I Change the Auto Lock on iPhone

When modifying the screen timeout settings, many users will find that the Auto Lock option is sometimes grayed out and cannot be clicked. This is not a system error, but a few specific reasons:

• Enable low power mode

When the device goes into low-power mode, the system automatically limits certain functions to save power, including the freedom of the iPad's screen timeout. In this case, the screen timeout time will be forced to shorten until the low-power mode is turned off to resume the selection.

• Device management

The option to change the lock screen timeout iPhone may be locked if your phone has enterprise management turned on, or if a parent has set a limit through the Screen Time feature. Fixing this would require you to change parental controls on iPhone.

• System error

In a few cases, system updates or configuration file conflicts can also make the iPhone screen timeout setting unavailable. Try restarting your device or checking for updates.

Part 4. Does Screen Timeout Affect Battery Life

Have you ever found your phone draining all day, but you don't use it much? In fact, the screen's light-up time is the hidden power consumption. The screen timeout setting directly determines the time that the screen remains lit in the non-operating state, thus affecting the battery efficiency.

By adjusting the screen timeout settings or limiting the screen time on iPhone, you can balance the experience and battery life in different scenarios:

• When you're out or away for long periods of time: Shorten screen timeouts and reduce power consumption.

• When reading or watching videos: Increase screen timeouts and avoid touching the screen frequently.

Master how to control screen timeout on iPhone or how to increase screen timeout on iPhone, and you'll be able to adjust it to your needs flexibly, improving convenience and optimizing battery life. With these small tweaks, you can tailor your iPhone or iPad to your habits while reducing the hassle of frequent charging.

Part 5. Best Tool to Bypass Screen Time Passcode

If you forget the screen time passcode, you may not be able to modify the screen timeout settings. At this point, the problem can be easily solved using professional tools, imyPass iPassGo is an efficient and easy-to-use solution.

Conclusion

Adjusting the screen timeout settings can make your iPhone and iPad more power-efficient and better suited to your usage habits. If you can't change it because you forgot your screen time password, you can use a tool like imyPass iPassGo to remove the restrictions easily, making the operation smooth and hassle-free.