Learn how to fix your iPhone 16 screen not turning black when locked. Follow simple steps to disable Always On Display and improve battery and privacy.
1. Understanding Why Your iPhone 16 Screen Stays On
1.1 What Keeps the Screen From Going Black?
Many users ask, "Why does my iPhone 16 screen stay on even when locked?" One of the most common reasons is the Always On Display feature, which is enabled by default on the iPhone 16. This setting allows your screen to remain dimly lit, showing the time, widgets, and notifications even when your phone appears to be locked.
Although this feature adds convenience, it often causes a few common issues:
- Battery drains more quickly because the screen remains active
- Private information becomes visible when notifications show on the lock screen
- Accidental touches or unlocks may happen when the phone is in your hand or pocket
What Are People Saying?
Many users on Reddit and Apple Support communities have shared their concerns. Some of the most common experiences include:
- Not realizing Always On was active, leading to confusion about why the screen never goes completely black
- Using the side button to lock the phone but still seeing parts of the screen lit up
- Trying different settings without success, which causes frustration
If you are also searching for how to make iPhone 16 screen go black, you're not alone. Keep reading to learn how to solve this.
1.2 Is It a Software Glitch or a Hardware Problem?
When the iPhone 16 black screen does not appear after locking, both software settings and hardware issues might be involved.
Software Reasons
- Always On remains active because it was never disabled in the display settings
- Bugs in iOS versions may cause the screen to stay lit even after locking. Some users said updating to iOS 18.1 fixed this problem
Hardware Reasons
- The ultra-slim design of the iPhone 16 makes accidental touches more likely when handling the device
- Side button problems may stop the screen from locking fully if the button is damaged or unresponsive
What Have Other Users Tried?
- Resetting the display settings helped some users bring back normal lock screen behavior
- Updating to the latest iOS version resolved the issue for many others
- Visiting a repair center was necessary in a few cases where the side button was faulty
2. How to Lock iPhone 16 Screen Completely
If your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro screen stays on instead of going dark, you're not alone. Many users run into this issue due to features like Always On Display or misconfigured settings. Below are easy and practical ways to make sure your iPhone 16 lock screen goes black and stays that way until you unlock it.
2.1 Turn Off Always On Display
One of the most common reasons the screen remains lit is the Always On Display setting. While it keeps the clock and notifications visible at all times, not everyone wants the screen glowing when the phone is locked.
Steps to Switch It Off
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on Display and Brightness
- Look for Always On Display and turn the switch off
Once disabled, your iPhone 16 Pro lock screen will stay completely dark when locked, helping to reduce battery usage and increase privacy.
Why This Helps
Many iPhone 16 users have shared their experience on forums, explaining that this setting was the reason their phone wouldn't fully lock. Turning it off made their iPhone 16 screen go black as expected.
2.2 Adjust Lock Screen Behavior
Sometimes the way your phone is set to handle locking can affect whether or not the screen shuts off properly. Tweaking a few options can make a big difference.
Steps to Review Lock Screen Settings
- Open Settings
- Go to Face ID and Passcode
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Turn off Attention Aware Features
This setting keeps your screen active if you're looking at it. Turning it off makes sure the phone locks even if it detects your face.
- Now return to the Display and Brightness menu
- Tap Auto Lock
- Choose a short time like 30 seconds or 1 minute
Why It Works
Shortening the auto-lock time and disabling attention detection ensures that your iPhone 16 lock screen turns black quicker and more consistently, especially when idle.
2.3 Check the Side Button
The side button is your go-to way for locking the screen manually. If it doesn't work as expected, the screen may remain lit even when you think the phone is locked.
How to Use It
- Press the side button once
- The screen should go black instantly
What If It Doesn't Work?
- Restart your iPhone to clear any minor software glitch
- Press the button a few times to make sure it's not stuck
- Reset all settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings (this won't erase your personal data)
These steps often restore normal button function, helping your iPhone 16 Pro lock screen behave correctly.
2.4 Keep iOS Up to Date
Software bugs can sometimes interfere with how your screen locks. Apple often fixes these problems through updates. If you're wondering how to lock iPhone 16 Pro to black screen, installing the latest version of iOS can help.
How to Update Your iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Select Software Update
- If a new version is available, tap Download and Install
Why Updating Matters
Users have noted that installing iOS 18.1 helped fix screen lock issues. Updates also improve overall performance and help features like Always On Display behave the way they should.
2.5 Avoid Screen Activation in Your Pocket
The iPhone 16's slim bezels and Face ID can sometimes cause the screen to wake up while in your pocket. This not only affects battery life but also reduces screen lock reliability.
Tips to Prevent Pocket Unlocks
- Use a phone case with raised sides to avoid screen touches
- Place your phone in your pocket with the screen facing outwards
- Go to Settings > Open Display and Brightness > Turn off Raise to Wake
These small changes help reduce the chances of your phone unlocking itself or keeping the screen on when it should not. This also improves your chances of consistently getting the iPhone 16 black screen when the device is locked.
3. If Basic Fixes Don't Work: Try These Advanced Steps
If your iPhone 16 screen still refuses to go dark after trying the usual steps, it may be time to explore more advanced solutions. These methods can help resolve deeper software bugs or confirm whether the issue is hardware-related.
3.1 How to Force Restart iPhone 16
A regular restart may not clear every issue. A force restart gives your iPhone a fresh start by clearing out any temporary glitch.
Steps to Force Restart
- Press and release the Volume Up button
- Then press and release the Volume Down button
- Now press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears
This process clears out short-term memory issues that could prevent your iPhone 16 Pro lock screen from going black.
3.2 Reset Display Settings to Default
Sometimes the display settings are the problem. Resetting them back to factory defaults can help fix unexpected behavior, especially if the iPhone 16 lock screen black feature isn't working as expected.
How to Reset Settings
- Open the Settings app
- Go to General
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Choose Reset
- Select Reset All Settings and confirm
This action won't delete your data, but it will clear system settings like display preferences. Afterward, you can reapply the changes needed to get your screen to lock correctly.
3.3 When to Contact Apple Support
If you've tried everything and the issue still exists, there may be a deeper problem with the hardware. In that case, reaching out to Apple is the best move.
Signs You May Need Expert Help
- Your side button does not respond when locking the screen
- The Always On Display remains active even after turning it off
- Your phone shows any kind of physical or internal damage
You can book a visit to an Apple Store or contact Apple Support online for further diagnosis and repair.
4. Smart Tips for Managing Your iPhone 16 Lock Screen
Managing the lock screen goes beyond convenience. It helps your battery last longer and keeps your personal information safe from others. Here are some expert-level tips to keep your iPhone 16 screen black when locked and running smoothly.
4.1 Save Battery with a Black Lock Screen
Using a dark screen isn't just about looks. It plays a direct role in how much power your device consumes, especially on OLED displays.
Steps to Improve Battery Life
- Turn Off Always On Display
This stops the screen from lighting up while locked and reduces battery usage - Adjust Brightness Settings
- Go to Settings
- Tap Display and Brightness
- Use the brightness slider to lower it
- Enable Auto Brightness so your phone adjusts itself to surrounding light
- Enable Low Power Mode
- Go to Settings
- Select Battery
- Turn on Low Power Mode
By using these settings together, your iPhone 16 black screen stays dark when locked and helps your battery last longer throughout the day.
4.2 Boost Your Lock Screen Security
The lock screen is the first thing people see. Keeping it secure is just as important as keeping it functional.
Ways to Strengthen Security
- Set Up Face ID
- Go to Settings
- Open Face ID and Passcode
- Follow the steps to add your face
- Use a Strong Passcode
You can set a six-digit or even alphanumeric passcode in the same menu for extra protection.
Why a Black Lock Screen Matters for Privacy
When the lock screen stays black, it hides your notifications from prying eyes. Combined with Notification Privacy in the Settings app, it helps make sure only you can see alerts after unlocking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When the lock screen stays black, it hides your notifications from prying eyes. Combined with Notification Privacy in the Settings app, it helps make sure only you can see alerts after unlocking.
If your screen stays dimly lit instead of going dark, the Always On Display might still be active. This setting is meant to show useful info while the phone is locked, but not everyone prefers it.
How to Fix It
- Go to Settings
- Tap Display and Brightness
- Turn off Always On Display
If the problem continues, check for software updates. Apple often includes fixes in new iOS versions that help with screen behavior and other display-related bugs.
Yes, you'll continue receiving all alerts. Disabling this setting only changes how the screen looks when locked. You can still check your notifications by tapping the screen or unlocking your device. It does not affect the functionality of alerts in any way.
If pressing the side button doesn't cause the screen to turn off, try the following:
- Restart Your iPhone 16
A simple restart may solve temporary issues that prevent the screen from locking - Check Side Button Settings
- Open Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Select Side Button and make sure no options are interfering with normal button use
- Visit Apple Support
If the button still doesn't respond or feels loose, there could be a hardware fault. In that case, contact Apple Support or visit a nearby store for assistance
Final Thoughts
Getting your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro to lock with a fully black screen is simple once you know what to adjust. From turning off the Always On Display to tweaking a few settings, you can take control of how your phone behaves when locked.
These steps not only help your iPhone 16 lock screen stay black, but also improve battery life and protect your privacy. If the issue still continues, a quick software update or a visit to Apple Support may be all you need to get things back on track.