10 Best Ways to Fix Always on Display Not Working on iPhone 14 Pro

Apple introduced the Always On Display feature with the iPhone 14 Pro. While it’s not highly customizable, it’s a step in the right direction. However, the feature may not always work when you turn off the screen. This can happen intermittently or consistently. Fortunately, there are some simple fixes to address this issue. Here’s how to fix the problem of Always On Display not working on your iPhone 14 Pro.

1. Ensure You Have a Supported iPhone

Always On Display is only available on the latest iPhone Pro models.

Unless you have an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, you won’t be able to enjoy the new Always On Display feature.

2. Enable the Always On Display Toggle and Restart Your iPhone

The Always On Display is enabled by default on a new iPhone. However, if you’ve turned it off, you will have to manually enable it for the feature to work.

Even if you’ve enabled it, your iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display may not be working. In this case, toggle the option off and on once again. Here’s how to access the setting.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Go to the ‘Display & Brightness’ tab.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Always On Display’ section.

Step 3: Enable the toggle for ‘Always On Display’.

If the toggle is already enabled, disable it and then re-enable it. After that, restart your iPhone by pressing and holding both the side button and volume down button together for a few seconds. Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Note: You can also customize the appearance of Always On Display in this menu. Changing the lock screen settings will also affect the appearance of your Always On Display.

3. Check if the Proximity Sensor Is Covered

Apple designed the Always On Display feature to turn off when the iPhone is in your pocket, using the proximity sensor. However, the proximity sensor can be covered even when the phone is not in your pocket, which can prevent Always On Display from working. Screen protectors can also interfere with the proximity sensor, which is located on the dynamic island of the iPhone 14 Pro.

If your screen protector has black borders around the dynamic island cutout, there’s a chance that it is covering the proximity sensor if not applied properly. Check if this is the issue by removing your screen protector and testing the Always On Display. If it works properly without the screen protector, replace it with a different one.

4. Disable Sleep Focus

Apple introduced Focus Modes to set notification preferences during different times of the day. One of them is the Sleep Focus mode that is meant to be enabled before going to bed. Sleep Focus disables notifications, dims your screen, and on the iPhone 14 Pro, it even disables the Always On Display to avoid distractions.

If you’ve enabled Sleep Focus in the middle of the day, you might want to turn it off. Here’s how:

Step 1: Swipe down from the screen’s top-right corner to open Control Center.

Step 2: Press and hold the Focus button. You will now see all your Focus Modes listed here.

Step 3: Select Sleep to turn off Focus Mode.

Your iPhone’s Always On Display should now turn back on.

5. Disable Low Power Mode

Always On Display consumes more power, so enabling the Low Power Mode on your iPhone disables it. If you’re wondering why your Always On Display is not working on the iPhone 14 Pro, you may have enabled the battery-saver toggle.

Here’s how to disable it:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to the Battery section.

Toggle off ‘Low Power Mode’ at the top.

6. Ensure Your iPhone Isn’t Too Hot

Heat is a major problem for smartphones, impacting their performance. If your iPhone feels warm, it may have high internal temperatures, which can result in thermal throttling. In basic terms, thermal throttling disables certain iPhone functions to reduce temperatures.

This is common in areas with high temperatures or if your iPhone is near a window or on a car dashboard. You may also see the Charging on hold message if it heats up while charging. Allow your iPhone to cool down and the Always On Display should be restored.

7. You’re Probably Wearing an Apple Watch

An Apple Watch is a popular accessory for iPhone owners. It could be the reason why your iPhone 14 Pro’s Always On Display is not working. Apple can detect if your iPhone and Apple Watch are close together. If they aren’t, the Always On Display on your iPhone turns off automatically.

If you wear an Apple Watch, it is normal for it to disconnect from your iPhone when you walk away or when they are in different rooms. There is no need to worry about this behavior.

8. Disconnect Your iPhone From Apple CarPlay

Sleep Focus turns off Always On Display when connected to CarPlay in order to avoid distractions while driving.

If you are in your car but not driving, disconnect from Apple CarPlay and the Always on Display should start working again.

9. Update to the Latest Version of iOS

Sometimes, a software version may cause issues with the Always On Display on the iPhone 14 Pro. Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version can help fix these problems. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to the General section.

Step 2: Tap on Software Update.

Step 3: If there is a new update, it will be listed. Select ‘Download and Install’ and wait for the installation to complete.

Once done, Always On Display should function as usual.

10. Contact Apple Support

If none of the solutions fix the Always On Display issue, take your iPhone to Apple. There could be a hardware defect in the screen that’s preventing the feature from working. Head to the closest Apple Store and let the geniuses at the genius bar take a look!

FAQs for iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display Not Working

1. Yes, Always On Display drains your iPhone’s battery faster when enabled, but it doesn’t damage the battery.

2. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t roll out new features to older devices, so you need an iPhone 14 Pro or above to use Always On Display.

Never Miss an Update

Always On Display shows time, date, notifications, and relevant info on the screen continuously. It’s useful when you don’t want to miss updates or alerts. If AOD isn’t working properly, try the above solutions to fix the iPhone 14 Pro AOD problem.

Sumukh Rao

Sumukh simplifies tech for consumers by providing insightful reviews. He has contributed to publications like TechPP and XDA-Developers for the past 5 years. When not typing on mechanical keyboards, he promotes VR Gaming as the next big thing.