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You are here: Home / Not working? / iOS 16: How to Fix iPhone Auto-Lock Not Working

iOS 16: How to Fix iPhone Auto-Lock Not Working

Last Updated: August 15, 2022 by Dave Johnson

Is your iPhone Auto-Lock not working after iOS 16 update? In this article, I’ll explain why Auto-Lock is not working on your iOS 16 device and show you how to fix the problem.

The auto-lock feature on your iPhone will automatically lock your iOS 16 device (your device’s touchscreen will lock and its display will dim – sleep mode) after a set period of inactivity unless you disable this feature. Default is one minute.

You will still receive calls and messages while your device is locked.

Some iOS 16 users are complaining about issues with the auto-lock feature. Users are saying that iOS 16 update has caused problems that this feature no longer works, as a result, their devices use more energy cutting into the battery life.

If Auto-Lock is not working after iOS 16 update, meaning if your device does not go into sleep mode after a period of inactivity, you can try the following tips to fix.

Note: You can’t change auto-lock settings when in Low Power Mode. If the options greyed out this is because your device is in this mode.

To change auto-lock, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock

Note: information in this article applied to iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone X, and iPhone 8 models.

iOS 16 Auto Lock Problems; Fix

If your iPhone won’t lock Automatically after iOS 16 update, follow the steps below to fix the issue:

Make sure Auto-Lock isn’t set to Never

If you find iPhone Auto-Lock not working, it is possible that the Auto-Lock feature is set to Never. Make sure Auto-Lock is enabled on your iOS 16 device. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set the timer (except Never).

Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is a common fix for minor software problems that could be preventing the screen to shut off Automatically. Here’s how to restart your iPhone depending on which model you have:

  • iPhones without Face ID: Press and hold down the power button until “slide to power off” appears. Then swipe the red power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. To turn your iPhone back on, press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears directly on the center of the screen.
  • iPhones with Face ID: Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until “slide to power off” appears on the display. Then, swipe the red power icon from left to right across “slide to power off”. Wait a few moments, then press and hold the side button again to turn your iPhone X or newer back on.

Turn off Passcode

Turning off passcode is another way to get rid of the mild glitch that may be causing Auto-Lock to malfunction. You can turn off Passcode by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (you will be asked to enter your passcode) > and tap Turn Passcode Off. Then restart your device and turn Passcode back on.

Hard Reset Your iPhone

By hard resetting your iPhone, you’ll force it to abruptly turn off and back on. Sometimes crashed software can cause Auto-Lock glitches, so restarting your iPhone may fix the problem.

Follow the steps below to hard reset your iPhone:

First, press and release the volume up button. Then, press and release the volume down button. Finally, hold down the side button on the right side of your iPhone until the screen turns off and the Apple logo appears.

Change the auto-lock settings

For instance, if your auto-lock is set to 1 minute, change it to 30 seconds. And check if this makes any difference.

Disable AssistiveTouch, if it is enabled

We’ve heard from people who said they had success fixing Auto-Lock not working in iOS 16 issue by turning off AssistiveTouch. Here’s how to turn off AssistiveTouch on your iPhone: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch

Update Your iPhone

Apple regularly releases software updates to introduce new iPhone features and fix troublesome bugs and errors. So, if you are still experiencing the problem of auto-lock not working in iOS 16, open Settings again and tap General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install if a software update is available.

Auto-Lock settings greyed out?

Turn Off Low Power Mode

If you experience this, it is likely that your iPhone is in Low Power Mode. Low Power Mode adjusts a variety of iPhone settings to help save battery life. One thing Low Power Mode does is set Auto-Lock to 30 seconds. To fix this, simply turn off Low Power Mode by going to Settings > Battery > and toggle off Low Power Mode.
From Glitched To Fixed!

You’ve fixed the problem with your iPhone and the Auto-Lock feature is working again! Make sure to share this article on social media to teach your family and friends how to fix Auto-Lock not working in iOS 16 issue. If you have any extra questions, please leave them in the comments below!

See also: 35 expert iOS 16 tips and tricks you need to know

About Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson is the editor-in-chief of iPhoneArena. He covers how-to guides, and troubleshooting instructions for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

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