How to stop iPhone locking with side button

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Level 1

27 points

How to stop iPhone locking with side button

On one of my iPhones, when I click the side button, it goes to the lock screen but stays unlocked for 5 minutes, which is very convenient. I think this is because I have Auto-Lock set for 5 minutes.

Settings | Display & Brightness | Auto-Lock | 5 minutes

On my other iPhone, I have the same Auto-Lock settings, but it locks every time when I click the side button. This second phone does stay unlocked for 5 minutes if it dims and turns off by itself, but not if I click the side button to turn it off.

There must be some other setting that is making it lock with the side button and I can't figure out what it is.

I appreciate any advice anyone might have.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on Aug 31, 2025 9:05 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LD150

Level 10

101,922 points

Sep 10, 2025 11:22 AM in response to cantfigure

Settings, Face ID & Passcode, Require passcode. If “Immediately” is the only option I think you need to disable FaceID, otherwise choose a time delay

EDIT, may need to turn off Stolen Device Protection too.

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Answer 2

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

64,010 points

Aug 31, 2025 9:16 AM in response to cantfigure

You may be referring to the Always-on Display setting that is only available on support models.

Keep the iPhone display on longer - Apple Support

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Answer 3

cantfigure Author

Level 1

27 points

Sep 10, 2025 9:50 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thank you but no, that's not it. When I click the side button, the phone locks when I don't want it to, I just want it to turn the screen off. After 5 minutes I want it to lock, but during that 5 minutes I want it to stay unlocked the next time I go to use it. If the phone turns the screen off by itself it stays unlocked, but if I click the side button it locks, which I don't want.

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