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How to fix iPhone Auto-Lock not working in iOS 17

iPhone never ceases to amaze with its quirky features, allowing users to maximize the efficiency of their devices. One such iOS feature is Auto-Lock. This feature is designed to automatically lock the iPhone display after a preset period. Apart from conserving the phone’s battery, it is a great way to improve overall security.

However, if your iPhone’s Auto-Lock feature fails to respond, it can be frustrating. To ease things off for you, in this article, I’ll take you through 8 solutions to fix Auto-Lock not working on iPhone in iOS 17.

1. Ensure Auto-Lock is enabled

Like every other feature on iPhone, Auto-Lock is also prone to bugs and glitches. However, before proceeding with advanced fixes, you must ensure the Auto-Lock feature is properly set up on your iPhone.

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Display & Brightness option.
  3. Access Auto-Lock and pick a time frame.
  4. After adjusting the time frame, tap Back to complete the process.

    Access display & brightness, auto-lock, set a duration in settings

2. Disable Low Power Mode

Although Low Power Mode is beneficial in numerous ways for your iPhone, it can occasionally cause issues. Therefore, if you’re using Low Power Mode daily, try disabling it, as it might interfere with the Auto-Lock feature.

  1. Go to the Settings app.
  2. Select Battery.
  3. Toggle off Low Power Mode.

    Access battery, toggle off low power mode in settings

3. Turn off AssistiveTouch

There is no denying the fact that AssistiveTouch on iPhone is a pure blessing. However, a few Accessibility features can mess up the regular performance and cause Auto-Lock malfunction on your iPhone.

Therefore, try disabling AssistiveTouch to get the Auto-Lock feature back to normal.

  1. Go to Settings app on your iPhone → Select Accessibility.
  2. Choose the Touch option under the PHYSICAL AND MOTOR section.

    Access accessibility, touch in settings
  3. Now, navigate to AssistiveTouch → Toggle off AssistiveTouch.

    Open AssistiveTouch, toggle off assistivetouch in settings

4. Re-enable Passcode on your iPhone

Upon resetting the iPhone Passcode, the glitch interfering with the Auto-Lock feature can be rectified at times. Follow the steps outlined below as the same could work for you.

  1. Open SettingsFace ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter the Passcode of your device when prompted.
  3. Choose the Turn Passcode Off option.

    Access face ID and Passcode, enter device passcode, choose turn passcode off in settings app
  4. Press Turn Off to proceed.
  5. Now, enter the password of your Apple ID to finalize the changes → tap Turn Off.

    Tap turn off, enter password of your apple ID, tap turn off in settings
  6. In this instance, you must again enter the Passcode of your device and wait for the changes to take place.
  7. Once you’ve successfully disabled the Passcode of your device, restart your iPhone.
  8. Then, simply head to SettingsFace ID & Passcode→ Turn Passcode On to revert the previous preferences.

    Select Turn Passcode On option in settings

5. Check and update software

If all the above-mentioned solutions fail to rectify your problem, there’s a high chance that the device software might be outdated. Hence, it’s wise to check for regular updates and install the same.

  1. Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
  2. Tap Download and install if any update is available.

    Go to Settings, General, Software Update, download and install

As you end up updating your device, all bugs and errors are likely to be cured on their own. With every software update, Apple releases fixes for every possible glitch on your device, so it is highly recommended that you regularly perform a system update.

6. Hard reboot your iPhone

If the problem persists, you can opt to perform a hard reboot on your iPhone.

This is a simple and direct approach to every glitch and error your device might be affected with, even if Auto-Lock stops working on your device. Following this procedure should get your iPhone going better than ever.

7. Reset your iPhone

Finally, you can simply reset your iPhone and start from scratch. Regardless of the level of system failure you are encountering, a factory reset can simply help you start anew. However, before moving ahead with this step, you must ensure that your entire data is backed up so that you don’t lose your important files in the process.

8. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the solutions I have listed above and your iPhone Auto-Lock function still doesn’t work, you may need to contact Apple Support. They can help you to diagnose and fix the issue.

Can a third-party app be causing my iPhone Auto-Lock to malfunction?

Yes, some third-party apps can interfere with your iPhone’s Auto-Lock feature. Try uninstalling any recently installed apps to see if that resolves the issue.

Will turning off my iPhone’s Auto-Lock feature affect battery life?

This question is debatable. If you designate Auto-Lock to turn on after a long period, your screen will remain active, and as a result, your battery will deplete.

Can a damaged screen protector affect my iPhone’s Auto-Lock feature?

Yes, a damaged or dirty screen protector can interfere with your iPhone’s screen sensor and cause your Auto-Lock feature to malfunction. Replacing or completely removing the broken screen protector can resolve this issue.

Unlock Auto-Lock!

Conclusively, if your iPhone does not lock automatically after inactivity, the above-mentioned solutions should rectify this problem. Remember, maintaining the privacy of your iPhone is essential, so it’s important to make sure that your Auto-Lock feature is functioning correctly.

Thank you for reading, and please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Author

  • Vikhyat Rishi

    Vikhyat has a bachelor's degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering and over five years of writing experience. His passion for technology and Apple products led him to the tech writing space, where he specializes in writing App features, How-to guides, and troubleshooting guides for fellow Apple users. When not typing away on his MacBook Pro, he loves exploring the real world.

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