To fix the issue where your phone screen stays slightly lit even when locked, you usually need to adjust the Always On Display settings. Grab your iPhone 17 and tap on the gray gear icon to open your Settings app. Scroll down the menu until you find the option labeled Display & Brightness and tap on it. Look for the Always On Display section near the bottom of that list. Tap that option and flip the toggle switch so it turns gray. This will ensure your screen goes completely black when you press the lock button.
Tutorial – How to turn off dim lock screen on iPhone 17
We are going to walk through the specific settings menu to change how your phone behaves when it is asleep. This process is very quick and only requires a few taps on your screen. By following these steps, you will disable the feature that keeps a dimmed version of your wallpaper and widgets visible at all times.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone 17 home screen.
You need to locate the icon that looks like a set of gray gears. This app is the control center for every major function on your device. Tapping it opens up the main menu where you can adjust everything from Wi-Fi to your screen preferences.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Display & Brightness.
This menu item is usually located in the third block of options. It has a blue icon with two letter As inside it. This section controls how bright your screen gets and how the colors appear.
Step 3: Select the Always On Display option from the list.
You will likely need to scroll toward the bottom of the page to find this specific setting. It sits separately from the auto-lock timer settings. Think of this as the master switch for the low-power mode that keeps the screen visible.
Step 4: Toggle the Always On Display switch to the Off position.
When you tap the switch, it should slide to the left and turn from green to gray. This indicates that the feature is now disabled. You have successfully told the phone to shut the pixels off completely when locked.
After you complete these steps, your iPhone 17 will behave like older models used to. When you press the side power button, the screen will turn fully black immediately. It will not show the time or your wallpaper until you tap the screen or lift the phone.
Tips for managing how to turn off dim lock screen on iPhone 17
- Check your Focus modes if the screen is still dimming in a weird way. Sometimes the Sleep focus mode will dim the lock screen specifically to help you rest. You can turn this off in the Focus settings menu.
- Use the Low Power Mode feature if you want a quick fix. When you turn on Low Power Mode from the Control Center, the iPhone automatically disables the Always On Display to save battery. This is a great shortcut if you only want the screen off temporarily.
- Adjust the “Show Wallpaper” toggle instead of turning the whole feature off. Inside the Always On Display menu, there is an option to hide just the wallpaper. This keeps the time visible but makes the rest of the screen black.
- Consider your Auto-Lock timer settings as well. If your screen stays bright for too long before dimming, go back to Display & Brightness. Change the Auto-Lock to 30 seconds so it turns off faster.
- Enable “Raise to Wake” if you miss seeing the time easily. Since you turned off the always-on feature, enabling Raise to Wake in the Display settings helps. The screen will light up the moment you pick up the device.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning this off save my battery life?
Yes, disabling the dimmed lock screen will save battery power. Even though the iPhone 17 is very efficient, powering the screen takes energy. When the screen is completely black, it uses almost zero power.
Why does my screen still look dim but not black?
You might have a specific Focus mode turned on. Check your Control Center to see if “Do Not Disturb” or “Sleep” is active. These modes apply a dark filter to the screen to reduce distractions.
Can I schedule when the screen stays on or turns off?
The iPhone does not have a direct schedule for the Always On Display setting itself. However, you can use Sleep Focus schedules. When Sleep Focus activates at your bedtime, it will automatically hide the always-on screen.
Does this feature damage the screen over time?
Apple designs these screens to prevent burn-in, so it is generally safe to leave it on. However, some users prefer to turn it off for peace of mind. Turning it off certainly eliminates any risk of image retention.
How do I see my notifications if the screen is off?
You will hear the notification sound or feel a vibration when a message comes in. To see the actual banner, you just need to tap the glass or press the side button. The screen will wake up fully so you can read the text.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Select Always On Display.
- Toggle the switch to Off.
Conclusion
Taking control of your device’s display settings is a smart move for many reasons. While the new technology in the iPhone 17 allows for fancy features like a persistent lock screen, it is not for everyone. Some people find the constant light distracting, especially when trying to work or sleep in a dark room. It can feel like the phone is constantly watching you or demanding your attention. By turning this feature off, you reclaim a bit of privacy and peace. You also gain the added benefit of extending your battery life, which is helpful during long days of travel or work.
It is important to remember that these phones are tools designed to serve you. You should never feel stuck with the default settings that come out of the box. Apple provides these toggles so you can customize the experience to fit your lifestyle. Whether you want a screen that is always providing information or a slab of black glass that stays quiet, the choice is yours. You now know exactly how to turn off dim lock screen on iPhone 17 whenever you want. Feel free to experiment with the settings to find the perfect balance between utility and battery life. If you ever decide you miss the feature, you can easily switch it back on in seconds.
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.