If you’ve just upgraded to the iPhone 15, you might be wondering: How do I make my iPhone 15 screen turn off quickly and easily? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Whether you want to save battery, lock your phone before slipping it into your pocket, or just avoid accidental touches, learning how to turn off the screen is essential.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover every possible method—from the classic Side button to Auto-Lock settings and accessibility shortcuts. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your iPhone 15 screen turn off whenever you need it.
Summary (Key Takeaways)
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You can turn off the iPhone 15 screen using buttons, gestures, or settings.
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Auto-Lock automatically turns the screen off after a set time.
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You can instantly turn the display off with the Side button.
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AssistiveTouch and Accessibility settings provide alternative methods.
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Knowing multiple methods helps you save battery life and protect screen health.
Why Do You Need to Turn Off the iPhone 15 Screen?
Before jumping into the steps, let’s quickly look at why turning off your screen is important:
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Battery Life: The screen is one of the biggest power drains.
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Privacy: Protects sensitive information from prying eyes.
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Screen Burn-in Protection: Prevents ghost images on OLED displays.
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Pocket Safety: Avoids accidental taps or calls.
Think of it like turning off the lights when you leave a room—it just makes sense.
Method 1: Use the Side Button (Fastest Way)
The quickest way to turn off your iPhone 15 screen is by using the Side button.
Steps:
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Hold your iPhone in your hand.
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Press the Side button (located on the right edge of your device).
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The screen will instantly turn off, and your phone locks.
👉 This is the most common and instant method—perfect if you’re in a hurry.
Method 2: Enable Auto-Lock (Hands-Free Option)
Don’t want to manually press the button every time? Set up Auto-Lock so your screen turns off automatically after a period of inactivity.
Steps:
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Open Settings.
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Tap Display & Brightness.
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Select Auto-Lock.
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Choose a time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc.).
Now, if you don’t touch your iPhone for the selected time, the screen will turn off by itself.
💡 Tip: For better battery life, choose 30 seconds.
Method 3: Use AssistiveTouch (No Button Needed)
If your Side button is hard to press or you prefer touch-based methods, use AssistiveTouch.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
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Toggle AssistiveTouch ON.
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A floating button will appear on your screen.
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Tap the button → Device → Lock Screen.
This locks your screen and turns it off without pressing the Side button.
Method 4: Back Tap Shortcut (Double-Tap to Turn Off)
Apple’s Back Tap feature lets you double-tap the back of your iPhone to perform actions—including turning off the screen.
Steps:
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Open Settings.
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Tap Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
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Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
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Assign it to Lock Screen.
Now, just tap the back of your iPhone twice (or thrice), and the screen will turn off!
Method 5: Use Siri to Lock the Screen
Yes, Siri can also help.
Steps:
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Say “Hey Siri, lock my iPhone.”
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Siri will instantly turn off your screen.
👉 Great for hands-free situations like driving or cooking.
Method 6: Turn Off the Screen During Calls
Sometimes you want the display off while you’re on a call.
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Just bring the iPhone close to your ear → the proximity sensor will automatically turn the screen off.
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When you move it away, the screen lights back up.
Method 7: Use Focus Modes to Control Screen
Apple’s Focus Modes (like Sleep or Do Not Disturb) can dim or lock your screen automatically.
Steps:
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Open Settings > Focus.
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Choose a mode (e.g., Sleep).
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Set a schedule → your screen will dim or turn off automatically.
Method 8: Lock Screen with a Third-Party Shortcut
If you love automation, you can create a Shortcut to lock your screen.
Steps:
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Open the Shortcuts app.
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Create a new shortcut.
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Add the action Lock Screen.
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Assign it to your Home Screen or a Back Tap gesture.
Comparison Table of Methods
| Method | Speed | Requires Setup | Button-Free | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side Button | Instant | No | No | Everyday use |
| Auto-Lock | Slow | Yes | Yes | Battery saving |
| AssistiveTouch | Medium | Yes | Yes | Broken Side button users |
| Back Tap | Fast | Yes | Yes | Gesture lovers |
| Siri Command | Medium | Minimal | Yes | Hands-free control |
| Proximity Sensor | Auto | No | Yes | During calls |
| Focus Mode | Scheduled | Yes | Yes | Night or work mode |
| Shortcut Automation | Flexible | Yes | Yes | Power users & customization fans |
Troubleshooting: Why Won’t My iPhone 15 Screen Turn Off?
Sometimes your screen might stay on. Here’s why:
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Auto-Lock set to “Never.” → Fix: Change in Settings.
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Background Activity (like videos or navigation).
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AssistiveTouch delay.
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Face ID Attention Awareness keeps screen on if you’re looking at it.
💡 Quick Fix: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and re-adjust.
Tips to Save Battery While Managing Screen
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Use Dark Mode.
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Lower brightness or enable Auto-Brightness.
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Set shorter Auto-Lock time.
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Turn on Low Power Mode when battery is low.
Conclusion
Learning how to make iPhone 15 screen turn off is simple once you know all the methods. The Side button is the fastest, while Auto-Lock saves you effort. For hands-free or button-free options, try Siri, AssistiveTouch, or Back Tap.
Think of these methods as tools in your toolkit—you don’t need all of them, but having options makes your iPhone more versatile.
Now it’s your turn: try out a few of these methods today and see which one fits your style best.
FAQs
1. How do I make my iPhone 15 screen turn off instantly?
Press the Side button once—it’s the fastest way.
2. Why is my iPhone 15 screen not turning off automatically?
Check your Auto-Lock settings. If it’s set to “Never,” the screen won’t turn off.
3. Can I turn off the iPhone 15 screen without pressing buttons?
Yes—use AssistiveTouch, Back Tap, or Siri.
4. Does turning off the screen save battery?
Yes, since the display consumes most of the power, turning it off extends battery life.
5. Can I schedule my iPhone 15 screen to turn off at night?
Yes, use Focus Mode (Sleep) or Shortcuts automation to schedule it.