My iPhone's Backlight Won't Turn Off

By Steve Gregory
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An iPhone's Auto-Lock feature automatically turns off the device's display, also known as the backlight, after a set period of inactivity. If the feature's Never option is selected, the backlight does not automatically turn off. Choose a time limit from the Auto-Lock Settings screen in iOS 8.3 to turn your iPhone's backlight off automatically. However, if changing your iPhone's Auto-Lock settings does not correct the problem, restarting the device or restoring it to factory settings are steps that can recover the feature's functionality.

Auto Lock

Step 1

Select the Settings icon from your iPhone's Home screen to open the device's Settings screen.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 2

Select General from the list of settings to open the General screen.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 3

Scroll down the General screen and tap Auto-Lock to open the Auto-Lock screen.

The current time limit appears to the right of Auto-Lock.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 4

Select the time limit you want to use from the list of options, such as Two Minutes. The change is immediately effective.

A check mark appears next to the option you select.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Tip

To adjust your screen brightness, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen to open the Control Center and then toggle the brightness slider to change the brightness level.

Restart Your iPhone

Similar to a computer, restarting your iPhone stops all running applications and processes, one of which may be causing the backlight problem.

To Restart Your iPhone:

  1. Press the Sleep/Wake button and then hold it until the Slide To Power Off slider appears on the screen.
  2. Drag the slider to the right and wait for your iPhone to turn off.
  3. Press the Sleep/Wake button again and then hold it until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Wait for your device to restart.

Tip

If your iPhone is completely unresponsive, perform a force restart to automatically restart the device. Simultaneously press the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons until the Apple logo appears, which usually takes approximately 10 seconds. Wait for your iPhone to restart automatically.

Restore Your iPhone

Step 1

Open the Settings screen by tapping the Settings icon on your iPhone's Home screen and then select General to open the General screen.

Tip

Connect your iPhone to a power source to prevent an interruption during the Restore process.

Warning

Create a backup of your data using iTunes or iCloud before you begin the Restore process to avoid losing your information.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 2

Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Reset to open the Reset screen.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 3

Select the Erase All Content and Settings option.

There are six available Reset options.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 4

Enter your iPhone's passcode -- if applicable -- in the Enter Your Passcode field and then tap Done. If you did not set up a passcode for your iPhone, the Enter Passcode screen does not appear.

Tip

Create a passcode to prevent unauthorized access to your device. Open the Settings screen, select Touch ID and Passcode, tap Turn Passcode On and then enter your new passcode.

The passcode is the same one you use to unlock your iPhone.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 5

Enter your Restrictions passcode -- if you enabled the Restrictions feature -- in the Enter Your Restrictions Passcode field. The Enter Passcode screen only appears if the Restrictions feature is activated.

You need your Restrictions passcode to manage or disable the Restrictions feature.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Step 6

Tap Erase iPhone from the pop-up menu and then follow the directions to restore your iPhone to factory settings.

Tip


During the Restore process, you have the option to restore your data from your iCloud or iTunes backup.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Tip

Install iOS updates as they become available. Updates not only install new features and options, but they also include patches that can fix problems in the current version of the software -- such as a backlight problem. Open the Settings screen, tap General and then select Software Update.

If the backlight problem persists after restoring your iPhone to factory settings, take the device to an Apple Retail Store for repair. Go to the Apple Store Genius Bar page and make an online appointment to see an Apple Genius at your nearest Apple Store.

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