'Always on' display turning off automatically on my iPhone 16 Pro Max

Hi, I upgraded to the 16 pro max. Have seen a few threads logged with this exact same problem but the always on display sometimes turns off for no reason and the screen is dark. I have tried a hard reboot, and software is up to date. My understanding is the display is always supposed to be dimly lit even in a dark room? It is working 95% of the time but other times the phone just appears off until you pick up the device which activates this feature again. My guess would be its a software niggle if others seem to also be experiencing this?!


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iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 07:44 AM

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Posted on Mar 13, 2025 05:34 PM

I change it to purple and then blue but it still shuts off in the dark or semi dark. I need a fix for it, why have it when it's not working properly

15 replies

Nov 25, 2024 05:25 AM in response to DrMim

I see the same issue with an iPhone 16 Pro Max. However the Always On has never worked as expected since purchasing the phone last Friday.


I upgraded from an iPhone 14 Pro Max last Friday. While in the Apple Store, I ran the setup that transfers my old phone configuration to the new phone. The 14 Pro Max was already at iOS 18.1.1 prior to the transfer process. The iCloud backup was only an hour or two old prior to the transfer process. The transfer hung up at the “Signing In”screen at one point, but the Apple specialist was able to move it along. The transfer then proceeded without error and seemed to complete successfully.


I’ve kept the 14 Pro Max so I have confirmed the Display and Brightness settings are identical on both devices. I don’t use Sleep Focus. I only toggle between Focus and Do Not Disturb.


The 16 Pro Max screen seems to go dark based on the Auto Lock duration setting. It inherited the two minute setting from the 14 Pro Max.


While typing this message on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, I have changed the 16 Pro Max auto lock to five minutes at 6:08 AM. Unexpectedly, it is now 6:17 AM and always on is still working!


I changed the auto lock to one minute at 6:19 AM. The screen has gone dark at 6:21 AM.


I would say something is amiss between Auto Lock and Always On.

Feb 9, 2025 10:59 PM in response to DrMim

I had this same issue and figured out the problem. So while you are customizing your Lock Screen, you can click on the clock to change the text color. Using anything other than the very first option (which is like “translucent “), or white, will result in the AOD timing out after the period of time your auto lock is set to. It does this to preserve your screen and prevent burn in.

Jan 29, 2025 01:40 PM in response to apple_4411

Switched form 15 Pro Max to 16 Pro Max today and immediately noticed this at evening. 15 pro max AOD stays on nearly every time in dim light. 16 Pro max turns of after a few seconds even if you tab on it a few second later is turns off again. This is definitely not a Always On Display anymore. Please fix apple or give me the option to turn it always on...


Someone know a fix

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'Always on' display turning off automatically on my iPhone 16 Pro Max

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