The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the first Apple smartphones to offer the always-on display feature, but with the screen off, I prefer the minimal AoD found in Android – where there’s no wallpaper and only the clock is visible. Fortunately, you can achieve the same visual aesthetic on iPhone with a simple tweak in iOS 16.
The Always On feature is only available for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Basically, Apple’s AoD looks just like a regular iPhone lock screen, except the screen is slightly darker. Personally, I find the always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) a bit cluttered. I don’t need to see the wallpaper, I just want to see the clock, my notifications and maybe my widgets.
With iOS 16 settings, you can bypass Do Not Disturb mode to have a “real” low always on display, just like you’re used to on Android smartphones.
How to get real always on display on your iPhone 14 Pro (Max)?
To get started, you’ll need to make sure you’ve enabled Always On View on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- go to settings And then to Display and brightness.
- It is awake Always on Alarm slider.
Once you’ve done that, proceed with the following to get the popular “true” Always On Display (just like an Android device) on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- go to settings followed by Attention.
- Choose Do not disturb followed by Options.
- wake up Dim lock screen Alarm slider.
- Before or after you lock your iPhone, switch to Do not disturb Through the mode control center.
Then simply switch to Do Not Disturb mode via the iOS 16 Control Center. Swipe down from the top right of the iPhone screen and press the button to the left of the brightness bar as shown. In the video below.
Once activated, the lock screen will be completely blacked out, giving the impression that the iPhone’s screen is off. Only the clock, widgets (if you have them saved) and notifications (manually enabled) are displayed. In short, it’s like what you’d see on an Android smartphone.
This remains a DIY solution and is not good in 100% of cases. Do Not Disturb blocks incoming notifications, so you’ll have to manually select apps and contacts to bypass Do Not Disturb’s restrictions. To do this:
- go to settings And then to Attention.
- Choose Do not disturb.
- go to People and/or Applications To grant permissions and receive relevant notices.
What do you think of this iOS 16 tip? Do you find Apple’s Always On Display too cluttered or do you prefer Apple’s solution on Android?