Always-on display is a handy feature that is available on some of the latest iPhone models. Instead of completely blacking out the screen when not in use, it keeps some relevant information visible, such as the time, widgets, notifications, and more. To learn how to enable, disable, or customize the always-on display feature on iOS 17 or an earlier OS version, read on.

Always-on display prerequisites

Before we get to the steps, it's worth mentioning that, so far, the always-on display feature is exclusive to Pro iPhones released in 2022 and later. So you will need one of the following devices to use it:

How to enable or disable the always-on display on iOS

Once you've verified that you have a compatible iPhone model, follow these steps to enable or disable the always-on display feature:

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Head to the Display & Brightness section.
  3. Scroll down to spot the Always On Display section, and enter it.
  4. Enable the Always On Display toggle or disable it if you no longer want to use the feature.
    display and brightness section in iPhone settings
    always on display section in iPhone settings
    always on display toggle in iPhone settings
  5. That's all! Now, every time your iPhone goes to sleep, it'll enter the always-on display mode.

How to customize an iPhone's always-on display

Unlike the typical always-on display execution on newer Android smartphones, the iPhone goes for a colorful look. So instead of getting an all-black screen displaying the time and notifications, your wallpaper just dims, staying truer to the term always on. Some people have complained about it being too bright or distracting. Fortunately, you can optionally customize it and hide the wallpaper and/or notifications by following these steps:

  1. Got to the Settings app.
  2. Enter the Display & Brightness section.
  3. Head to the Always On Display section.
  4. Enable/disable the Show Wallpaper and Show Notifications toggles based on your preferences.
    display and brightness section in iPhone settings
    always on display section in iPhone settings
    show wallpaper and show notifications toggles in iPhone settings

It goes without saying that enabling the always-on display feature will consume more battery power. So, if you're unsatisfied with your current iPhone battery life, disabling this feature would be a good idea. Ultimately, you could always try using it for a couple of days to see how you like it. It's a great way to view basic information quickly, and if this sounds great to you, you can also enable the new StandBy mode on iOS 17.