• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
How to turn off the iPhone's 'most helpful and infuriating iOS feature'

Home> Apple> iPhone

Published 12:33 11 Apr 2024 GMT+1

How to turn off the iPhone's 'most helpful and infuriating iOS feature'

Screen distance can be more than a little frustrating, some users have said.

Kerri-Ann Roper

Kerri-Ann Roper

Every time it releases a new iPhone, Apple also sends out a new version of iOS, its operating software, and the additions it makes can be a mixed bag.

Sometimes, it'll make a change that people have been asking for over long years of waiting, but other times it'll add something no one thought they needed.

Most recently, an addition that came with the arrival of iOS 17 has been a very unwelcome one - Screen Distance.

The addition of Screen Distance has divided iPhone users / Tim Robberts/Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The addition of Screen Distance has divided iPhone users / Tim Robberts/Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Advert

This is a new feature aimed at helping people to maintain good practices with their phone, keeping it at arm's length instead of staring at it from mere inches away.

The idea is pretty clear - it's better for your eyes to read text at a little distance, rather than right up in front of your nose, so this setting lets your iPhone remind you of this fact if its depth sensor detects that you're a little close to the screen.

The warning that it brings up, though, isn't a little pop-up or a dialogue box, but rather a full-screen warning that you have to tap "Continue" on to dismiss.

Thankfully, it's quite easy to turn it off entirely. All you have to do is follow these steps:

Advert



  1. Open your Settings app
  2. Tap on Screen Time
  3. Tap on Screen Distance
  4. Turn the setting on or off


Advert

A Reddit post this week has drawn attention to just how few fans this setting seems to have - it's a simple screenshot of the warning screen.

The headline on the thread reads: 'The most helpful and infuriating iOS feature'.

Underneath that post, there are plenty of comments from people who find the setting annoying, including one who griped: "Arms length? That’s the distance I use my 24-inch monitor. No way I’m using my iPhone or iPad that far."

Another user wrote: "I tried it for not even a few minutes and got fed up immediately. I'm getting older but I refuse to put my fonts the same size as my mother!".

Advert

However, there is also a clear population in the comments thread who might not be defending the setting that much, but also think it's a bit much to complain about it when it's so easy to turn off.

Plus, there are others who argue that the annoying nature of the warning is what makes it effective, as one person said: "I turned it on too, and I hate it. It works perfectly. I just hate that I have the habit of holding it too close, but I know it is beneficial in the long run. It’s a great feature."

So, as it turns out, there are some people using Screen Distance and finding it effective - perhaps some extra settings to edit how many times a day it can warn you would provide a helpful middle ground for those struggling to get on board.

Featured Image Credit: AntonioGuillem / NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
Apple
iPhone
Tech News
Tech tips

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • AppleApple
    8 hours ago

    Apple officially unveils four new phone models including major 'iPhone Air' that's 'unlike anything before'

    The tech giant gave fans a first look at the latest model of iPhone

    Apple
  • AppleApple
    9 hours ago

    Apple finally announces release date of iOS 26

    The tech giant's event is taking place today (September 9) where new products are being announced

    Apple
  • AppleApple
    9 hours ago

    Apple announce new Apple Watch will detect serious health issue impacting 1.3 billion adults

    The Apple Watch could detect a health issue known as a 'silent killer'

    Apple
  • AppleApple
    9 hours ago

    Apple announce ‘must have upgrade’ with groundbreaking AirPods Pro 3

    The latest models of AirPods were just unveiled at today’s ‘special’ Apple event

    Apple
  • iPhone users mindblown at hidden setting everyone agrees is the 'most underrated' feature ever
  • Tweaking these iOS settings can seriously improve your iPhone battery and save users hundreds
  • iPhone users are just discovering 'life-changing' hidden feature that's 'so simple but so useful'
  • iPhone users demand to know how to unlock 'most underrated iOS feature' that saves time 'googling and looking for different websites'