How to keep your iPhone or iPad screen on
Use Sleep Blocker for a temporary, no-install wake session, or adjust Auto-Lock when you need the display to stay on across different apps.
Quick method: start a temporary iPhone or iPad wake session
Open Sleep Blocker in a compatible browser and an unlimited wake session starts automatically. Keep the browser page in the foreground, or end the session and choose a timer instead. This works well for reading, cooking, sheet music, checklists, and any short task where you do not want to keep tapping the screen.
iOS or iPadOS can release the wake lock when you switch apps, lock the device, enable a restrictive power mode, or hide the browser. Return to the page to request the lock again.
Change Auto-Lock on iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Select Display & Brightness.
- Select Auto-Lock.
- Choose a longer duration, or Never when that option is available and appropriate.
Apple warns that delaying or preventing Auto-Lock can increase power consumption. See Apple's guide to keeping the iPhone display on longer.
Auto-Lock and Always-On Display are different
Auto-Lock controls how long an unlocked, active display remains on. Always-On Display, available on supported iPhone models, shows a dimmed Lock Screen after the phone locks. It does not keep an interactive recipe, document, dashboard, or browser page open.
Protect battery and OLED displays
The screen is a major source of phone and tablet power use. Prefer a timed session, lower the brightness, and connect to power when the display must remain on for a long period. Apple also recommends avoiding static, high-contrast images at maximum brightness for prolonged periods on OLED iPhones.
Which iPhone or iPad method should you choose?
- One temporary browser task: use Sleep Blocker.
- Moving between multiple apps: change Auto-Lock temporarily.
- Information visible while locked: use supported Lock Screen widgets, StandBy, or Always-On Display instead.
iPhone and iPad questions
Why is Auto-Lock unavailable or restricted?
Low Power Mode, device management, or other system conditions may restrict display behavior. Check those settings or use a shorter wake session.
Will Sleep Blocker work after I press the side button?
No. Manually locking the device overrides the page's request and turns off or locks the active display.