[2025 Full Guide] How to Turn Off Auto-Lock on iPhone
Keeping your iPhone screen on for extended periods can be essential, whether you're following a recipe, reading an article, or using your device for navigation. However, the Auto-Lock feature is designed to protect your privacy and save battery life by locking the screen after a short time.
This guide provides the direct steps to turn off Auto-Lock on your iPhone. We'll also cover the instant fixes for the common problem of the setting being greyed out.
Part 1. How to Turn Off Auto-Lock on iPhone
Disabling the Auto-Lock feature is a straightforward process located within your iPhone's settings. This will set your screen to stay on indefinitely until you manually press the side button.
Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on Display & Brightness.
Step 3. After tapping Auto-Lock, choose Never from the drop-down menu. Once you select Never, your iPhone's display will no longer turn off or lock on its own.
Part 2. Why is the Auto-Lock Setting Greyed Out? The Fixes
Many users find that when they navigate to the Auto-Lock menu, the options are greyed out and stuck on 30 seconds. This is not a bug. It is an intentional feature caused by one of two things: Lower Mode or a management profile.
View Also: 2.1 The Most Common Cause: Low Power Mode
In most cases, the culprit is Low Power Mode. To preserve battery, this mode automatically forces the screen to lock after 30 seconds of inactivity and prevents you from changing it.
To fix this, you simply need to turn off Lower Power Mode.
Step 1. Go back to the main Settings menu.
Step 2. Tap on Battery.
Step 3. Find the Low Power Mode toggle and switch it to the off position.
After you disable it, you can immediately return to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock, and the options will be available again.
2.2 The Other Cause: A Corporate or School Profile (MDM)
If Low Power Mode is off and the setting is still greyed out, your iPhone is likely managed by your employer or school using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile. Organizations use MDM profiles to enforce security rules on devices that access their network and data. A common rule is to force a short Auto-Lock time to keep company information secure.
You can check it by going to Settings > General > VPN & Management. If a profile from your work or school is listed there, it is the reason your settings are locked. Here are two proven solutions to help you get rid of MDM.
Solution 1. Remove MDM via Settings
You can use the Remove Management feature to remove the MDM restriction if you have MDM passcode.
Step 1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Management.
Step 2. Look for the Mobile Device Management profile and then tap it.
Step 3. At the bottom of the profile, you can see red words: Remove Management. Tap it and then enter the passcode that is set by whoever installed the profile.
Once the MDM is deleted, you can change the Auto-Lock setting normally.
Solution 2. Remove MDM without Passcode via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker
For users who own their device but don't know Mobile Device Management (MDM) passcode, specialized software can remove MDM restrictions. A well-regarded tool for this is TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, a comprehensive utility designed to handle various iOS lock scenarios, including screen passcodes, Apple ID removal, and MDM profiles.
Why Choose TunesKit iPhone Unlocker?
Remove MDM profile with a few clicks. Besides, it can unlock iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone screen lock in a few seconds.
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How to Remove an MDM Profile with TunesKit iPhone Unlocker
Step 1Connect iPhone to PC
Install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your PC after downloading it. Open the application. Use a USB cord to connect your iPhone to the computer. On the main interface of the software, select the Remove MDM option.
Step 2Remove MDM profile
Ensure your device is recognized. On the next screen, click the Start button. After that, the software will start the MDM removal procedure.
Step 3Check if the Auto-Lock feature is available
The process is fast and should be completed in a few moments without any data loss. Once finished, the MDM profile will be removed, and you will have full access to all settings, including Auto-Lock.
Part 3. FAQs about the Auto-Lock Feature
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1. What is the best setting for Auto-Lock?
While this depends on your personal needs, 1 Minute is a great default for most users as it prioritizes security. If you often read or need your screen to stay on longer, 5 Minutes offers a good balance between convenience and protection. We strongly advise against using "Never" as your regular setting.
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2. How is Auto-Lock different from a passcode?
They are two separate features that work together. Auto-Lock is the timer that determines when your iPhone screen turns off and locks itself. The Passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID is the key required to unlock it afterward.
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3. Can I set a custom Auto-Lock time, like 10 minutes?
No, you are limited to the options Apple provides in the settings menu. Currently, there is no way to set a custom time like 7 or 10 minutes. You must choose from the predefined list (e.g., 30 Seconds, 1 Minute, 5 Minutes, etc.).
Part 4. Conclusion
You now know how to turn off Auto-Lock on iPhone and how to fix the common reasons it might be greyed out. When the reason is an MDM profile, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker allows users to remove MDM in a few clicks.
While disabling this feature can seem convenient, we strongly recommend using a timed setting to ensure your private information remains protected and your battery lasts through the day.
