If your iPad keeps going dark while you are reading, taking notes, following a recipe, or showing something to someone, Auto-Lock is probably the setting getting in your way. It is meant to save battery and protect your screen, but there are plenty of times when you want the display to stay on longer, or not lock at all.
The good news is that changing this setting takes less than a minute. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to turn off Auto-Lock on iPad, what to do if the option is grayed out, and a few useful workarounds for different iPad models and software versions. The steps are simple, and once you know where to look, you can adjust the screen timeout in just a few taps.
Quick Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap Display & Brightness
- Tap Auto-Lock
- Choose Never to turn off Auto-Lock
Tutorial – How to Turn Off Auto Lock on iPad
These steps will change your iPad so it no longer automatically locks the screen after a short period of inactivity. This is useful when you need the screen to stay on for extended reading, presentations, downloads, or hands-free use.
Step 1: Open the Settings app
Tap the Settings app on your iPad Home Screen or in the App Library.
You should see the main Settings menu with options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Display. If you cannot find it right away, swipe down on the Home Screen and search for Settings.
Step 2: Tap Display & Brightness
In the left-side menu or main settings list, select Display & Brightness.
This is where Apple keeps most screen-related options, including brightness, Dark Mode, and Auto-Lock. On some iPads, the menu layout may look slightly different, but the option name stays the same.
Step 3: Tap Auto-Lock
On the Display & Brightness screen, look for Auto-Lock and tap it.
A list of time limits should appear, typically showing options such as 2 Minutes, 5 Minutes, 10 Minutes, 15 Minutes, and Never. This is the screen timeout setting for your iPad.
Step 4: Select Never
Choose Never from the list to turn off Auto-Lock.
After you select it, your iPad will no longer lock automatically when inactive. The screen will stay on until you manually press the top button or turn it off another way.
Step 5: Confirm the change worked
Return to the main screen, or leave your iPad idle for a moment to keep the display awake.
If the setting took effect, your iPad screen should remain on instead of dimming and locking on its own. If it still locks, another setting may be overriding it, which is common in some managed or low-power modes.
Alternative Methods or Edge Cases
Not every iPad behaves the same way. If you do not see “Never” or the option is unavailable, one of the following situations may apply.
Low Power Mode may be enabled
- Low Power Mode may shorten the Auto-Lock timer on some devices. Turn it off by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.
- After disabling it, go back to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and check again.
Your iPad is managed by a school or workplace
- Some work or school devices have restrictions from MDM (mobile device management). In that case, Never may be missing or locked out.
- If that happens, contact your IT administrator. The policy may be enforcing the screen timeout.
Guided Access is being used
- If you are using Guided Access for a child, kiosk, or presentation setup, the screen behavior can be controlled separately.
- Check Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access if the iPad seems to ignore normal Auto-Lock settings.
Older iPadOS versions
- On older versions of iPadOS, the setting path is still usually the same, but the layout may look slightly different.
- Look for Display & Brightness in the main Settings list, then find Auto-Lock under it.
You only want a longer timeout, not full disable
- If you do not want the screen on forever, choose a longer interval like 10 Minutes or 15 Minutes instead of Never.
- This is often the smarter choice if you want to save battery but still avoid constant screen lockouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Auto-Lock grayed out on my iPad?
This usually happens because Low Power Mode is on, or because a work or school management profile is controlling the device. Turn off Low Power Mode first, then check again. If the iPad is managed, you may need help from your administrator.
Will turning off Auto-Lock drain the battery faster?
Yes. Keeping the screen on longer uses more battery, and setting Auto-Lock to Never uses the most. If battery life matters, choose a longer timeout instead of disabling it completely.
Can I turn off Auto-Lock for only one app?
No, Auto-Lock is a system-wide iPad setting, not an app-by-app setting. Some apps may have their own screen behavior, but the main Auto-Lock timer applies to the device.
How do I turn Auto-Lock back on?
Go back to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock, then choose a time limit like 2 Minutes or 5 Minutes. That restores normal screen locking behavior.
Why does my iPad still lock when Auto-Lock is set to Never?
Check whether Low Power Mode, Guided Access, or a device management profile is active. One of those can override the setting and force a shorter lock period.
Does turning off Auto-Lock affect my passcode or Face ID?
No. Auto-Lock only controls how long the screen stays on. Your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID still protect the iPad when it is locked or restarted.
Tips
- If you use your iPad for reading, cooking, or music control, Never can be convenient, but remember to plug in your charger if you will be using it for a while.
- If battery life is important, try 10 Minutes or 15 Minutes instead of disabling Auto-Lock completely.
- You can quickly check whether Low Power Mode is active by looking for the yellow battery icon.
- If you are giving a presentation, set Auto-Lock to Never first so the display does not dim at the worst moment.
- On managed iPads, screen timeout settings may be controlled by policy, so changes you make in Settings may not stick.
- If you are done using the iPad in a public setting, change Auto-Lock back to a shorter time for better security.
Troubleshooting
Auto-Lock option is missing
- Go to Settings > Battery and see if Low Power Mode is on. If it is, turn it off and check Display & Brightness again.
Auto-Lock is unavailable or locked
- Your iPad may be supervised by a school or company. In that case, the device administrator may have restricted the setting.
The screen still dims even after choosing Never
- Make sure you selected Never and not just a longer time. Also check for Guided Access or power-saving settings that may override it.
The iPad locks too quickly after updates
- Restart the iPad after an iPadOS update. If the behavior continues, recheck the Auto-Lock setting and confirm Low Power Mode is off.
Touch ID or Face ID still asks for a passcode
- That is normal. Auto-Lock does not disable security, it only changes when the screen turns off and locks.
Conclusion
Turning off Auto-Lock on iPad is straightforward once you know where Apple placed the setting. In most cases, all you need to do is open Settings, go to Display & Brightness, and select Never under Auto-Lock.
If the option does not appear or will not stay selected, the cause is usually Low Power Mode or device management restrictions. With the steps above, you now have the quickest fix, plus backup options for the common edge cases that can get in the way.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.