How to Get iPhone 15 Screen to Turn Off: A Step-by-Step Guide

We’ve all been there — you put your iPhone 15 down, only to notice the screen stays lit longer than you’d like. Not only does this drain your battery faster, but it also risks accidental touches and exposes your private notifications to anyone nearby.

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Why You Need to Know How to Get iPhone 15 Screen to Turn Off

Learning how to quickly and efficiently turn off the iPhone 15 screen is one of those small but essential skills that makes daily use smoother. In this guide, we’ll cover step-by-step instructions, smart settings, and even hidden tricks to control your iPhone screen. Whether you want a manual button press, an automatic timer, or a hands-free method, we’ve got you covered.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Quick press of the Side button instantly locks and turns off the iPhone 15 screen.
Auto-Lock settings let you choose how long before the screen turns off automatically.
Low Power Mode helps the screen turn off sooner to save battery.
AssistiveTouch and Shortcuts automation provide hands-free ways to turn off the screen.
Properly managing screen settings saves battery life, prevents accidental taps, and protects privacy.

Why Does My iPhone 15 Screen Stay On?

Before diving into fixes, let’s quickly look at why your screen might not turn off as expected:

Auto-Lock is disabled or set too long (e.g., 5 minutes).
Low Power Mode is off, which means longer default screen time.
Attention-Aware features (Face ID sensors detect your face, keeping the screen on).
Background activity such as video playback or navigation apps.

Knowing the “why” helps you choose the right solution.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get iPhone 15 Screen to Turn Off

Method 1: Turn Off the Screen Manually

The fastest way is with the Side button:

Locate the Side button on the right edge of your iPhone 15.
Press it once quickly.
The screen will immediately turn black, entering standby mode.

👉 Think of it like flipping a light switch — instant and reliable.

Method 2: Adjust Auto-Lock Settings

Want your iPhone screen to turn off automatically after a set time? Use Auto-Lock.

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness.
Select Auto-Lock.
Choose a time: 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, or 5 minutes.

✅ For battery savings, choose 30 seconds or 1 minute.

Method 3: Use Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode shortens Auto-Lock to 30 seconds automatically.

Go to Settings > Battery.
Toggle on Low Power Mode.
Notice the yellow battery icon — this means your screen will turn off sooner.

Method 4: Enable AssistiveTouch for Screen Lock

If you prefer touch-based shortcuts:

Open Settings > Accessibility.
Tap Touch > AssistiveTouch.
Turn on AssistiveTouch.
Tap the floating button > Device > Lock Screen.

This gives you an on-screen button to instantly turn off the display.

Method 5: Use Siri Voice Command

Did you know Siri can help? Just say:

“Hey Siri, lock my iPhone.”

Your screen will shut off instantly. Perfect for hands-free situations.

Method 6: Create a Screen-Off Shortcut

Tech enthusiasts will love this trick:

Open the Shortcuts app.
Tap + to create a new automation.
Add action: Lock Screen.
Assign it to a Back Tap or Home Screen icon.

Now, with a double tap on the back of your iPhone or a quick shortcut tap, your screen turns off.

Method 7: Use Back Tap Feature

Another hidden gem:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
Scroll down to Back Tap.
Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
Select Lock Screen.

Now, just tap the back of your iPhone and the screen locks.

Extra Tips to Save Battery and Protect Privacy

Dim brightness: Settings > Display & Brightness > adjust slider.
Turn off Always-On Display (Pro models): Settings > Display & Brightness > toggle off Always On.
Use Attention-Aware Features wisely: Disable if you don’t need Face ID keeping your screen awake.
Enable Screen Timeouts in apps like YouTube or Maps, so they don’t override settings.

Troubleshooting: What If My iPhone 15 Screen Won’t Turn Off?

Restart your iPhone.
Check for iOS updates.
Reset Auto-Lock settings.
Disable apps running in background.
If nothing works → Contact Apple Support (possible hardware or Face ID sensor issue).

Comparison Table: Manual vs. Automatic Screen Off

Method	Speed	Effort	Best For
Side Button	Instant	Minimal	Everyday quick use
Auto-Lock	Delayed	Set once	Passive screen control
Low Power Mode	Instant effect	Simple toggle	Battery saving
AssistiveTouch	Quick tap	Setup needed	Accessibility, button-free use
Siri Command	Instant, hands-free	Requires voice	Driving, cooking, hands busy
Shortcuts/Back Tap	Instant	Setup needed	Tech-savvy users

Best Practices for Screen Management

Keep Auto-Lock short (30–60 seconds).
Use Low Power Mode when traveling.
Use Side Button for immediate screen-off.
Use automation features if you love shortcuts.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your iPhone 15 Screen

Turning off the iPhone 15 screen may seem like a small thing, but it directly affects battery life, privacy, and convenience. Whether you prefer pressing a button, setting Auto-Lock, using Siri, or creating smart shortcuts, you now have multiple ways to master your screen.

👉 Next time your iPhone screen overstays its welcome, you’ll know exactly what to do — and you’ll save power while keeping your data safe.

FAQs About Turning Off iPhone 15 Screen

1. How do I turn off the iPhone 15 screen without using the Side button?
Use AssistiveTouch, Back Tap, or Siri voice commands.

2. Can I make the screen turn off automatically?
Yes, set Auto-Lock to 30 seconds or 1 minute in Display & Brightness settings.

3. Does Low Power Mode affect screen timeout?
Yes, it automatically sets Auto-Lock to 30 seconds to save battery.

4. Why does my iPhone 15 screen stay on even with Auto-Lock enabled?
Attention-Aware features, video playback, or apps like Maps may override it.

5. Can I schedule my iPhone screen to turn off at certain times?
Not directly, but you can create a Shortcut automation for time-based screen locking.