Last updated: October 2026
An Always-On Display keeps your Lock Screen dimly visible, with the time, widgets and Live Activities on show, so you do not have to wake the phone to check. On iPhone it is limited to certain models, and it sits in one Settings screen. This guide shows which iPhones have it, how to turn it on, which options matter for privacy and battery, and why it sometimes goes dark. There is a short section for Samsung Galaxy phones at the end.
- Open Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down and tap Always On Display.
- Switch it on, then choose whether to show the wallpaper and notifications.
- No such option? Your iPhone model probably does not have this display.
Which iPhones have an Always-On Display?
| Model | Always-On Display? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max | Yes | iGeeksBlog |
| iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | Yes | iGeeksBlog |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max | Yes | iGeeksBlog |
| iPhone 17 | Yes (first non-Pro iPhone with it) | MacStories, Tom's Guide |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max | Yes | MacStories |
| iPhone Air | Implied by MacStories (same ProMotion screen as the 17); check Apple's spec page | MacStories |
| Non-Pro iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 16 Plus | No | iGeeksBlog |
iGeeksBlog says the feature depends on an LTPO OLED display, which is why it started on Pro models only. MacStories, writing at the iPhone 17 launch, describes the iPhone 17's 6.3-inch screen as an Always-On display with ProMotion that adapts its refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz. To confirm your own model, go to Settings > General > About, as iGeeksBlog suggests. I did not find an Apple Support page with the full model list, so check Apple's spec page for any model not in the table.
How to turn it on
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down and tap Always On Display.
- Turn the Always On Display switch on.
Both iGeeksBlog (iOS 26 guide, updated April 21, 2026) and Tom's Guide (October 2025) give this path. iGeeksBlog says the feature is on by default on supported models, so it may already be working. I did not find an iOS 27 page describing a different path; if your screen looks different, search Settings for "Always On".
The options, explained
- Show Wallpaper: turn it off for a black background with just the clock and widgets. Tom's Guide says black pixels turn off, which is one reason the drain is lower than you might expect.
- Blur Wallpaper Photo: iGeeksBlog says wallpapers are blurred by default when dimmed; turn it off for the classic dimmed look.
- Show Notifications: turn it off for a cleaner screen. Tom's Guide says turning off the blur and notification options helps keep your wallpaper and notifications private from passersby.
- Always shown: per iGeeksBlog, the time, date, Lock Screen widgets and Live Activities stay visible and are not optional.
Why the display sometimes turns off
Both Tom's Guide and iGeeksBlog say it switches off automatically in these situations, so a dark screen is not always a fault:
- The phone is face down or in a pocket or bag, or otherwise covered.
- A paired Apple Watch shows you are away from the phone.
- CarPlay starts, or you use Continuity Camera.
- Low Power Mode is on.
- Sleep Focus is active, or it is around your usual bedtime.
iGeeksBlog also lists "learned habits" suggesting you do not need it. I found no Apple description of that behavior, so treat it as that site's wording.
Battery: what to expect
Tom's Guide says it uses more battery, but not as much as you might think, crediting ProMotion's refresh rate dropping as low as 1 Hz and black pixels turning off. iGeeksBlog cites unnamed tests showing idle battery life falling much faster with it on, but gives no test conditions or source, so I am not repeating a number. The effect depends on brightness, wallpaper and notifications.
To cut the drain, the sources suggest:
- Turn Show Wallpaper off.
- Turn Show Notifications off, or limit which apps notify you.
- Use Low Power Mode on long days; both guides say it switches the Always-On Display off.
- Use a Sleep Focus at night.
- If you want the most savings, turn Always On Display off completely. Tom's Guide also suggests turning off Raise to Wake.
If you charge on a nightstand, a charger such as the ones in our best 3-in-1 wireless charging stations roundup keeps the phone topped up while the display shows the time. For other settings worth reviewing, see 10 iPhone settings you should change.
Samsung Galaxy: how to turn on Always On Display
Samsung's UK support page gives these steps for Galaxy phones:
- Open Settings and select Lock screen.
- Tap Always On Display.
- Turn on the switch at the top, then choose a mode: Tap to show, Show always, or Show as scheduled.
Samsung says menus may vary by device model and software version, that brightness can adjust to ambient light, and that the option may be greyed out when Power saving mode is on. It recommends updating your software first under Settings > Software update. Other Android brands use different menus, which I did not check.
Catches and limits
- No toggle on your iPhone? Check the model table first. Older and non-Pro models do not have the hardware.
- Privacy. With notifications shown, anyone near your phone can see them. Turn the option off in shared spaces.
- Possible screen wear. I found no source measuring burn-in risk on iPhone, so I make no claim either way.
- Model lists change. The list above reflects the sources I could open on October 25, 2026.
FAQ
Does the iPhone 16 have an Always-On Display?
Per iGeeksBlog, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus do not; the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max do.
Does the iPhone 17 have one?
MacStories and Tom's Guide say yes, even though earlier non-Pro models did not.
Is it the same as StandBy?
No. Tom's Guide notes that StandBy is a separate feature that also works on the iPhone 15 and 16, but only in landscape while charging.
Can I turn it off only at night?
iGeeksBlog says Sleep Focus or Bedtime turns it off automatically.
My verdict
If your iPhone supports it, leave Always-On Display on and turn off the wallpaper and notifications for a cleaner, more private, lower-power screen. If battery matters more than a glance-able clock, switch it off in Display & Brightness. Either way, no toggle usually means no hardware support, not a bug.
What I could not verify: the live version of this post (so I assumed an iPhone topic), an Apple Support page listing every supported model, how the iOS 27 menu looks, and any measured battery or burn-in figures. I did not test any phone myself.
Sources: iGeeksBlog: Turn Always-On Display on or off (iOS 26 guide) | Tom's Guide: iPhone 17 Always On display setup | MacStories: Apple announces iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max | Samsung UK: Activate Always On Display on Galaxy