The Accidental Activation
Modern iPhones utilize internal accelerometers to detect when you physically lift the device off a table or pull it out of your pocket. This feature, known as “Raise to Wake,” automatically turns the screen on the moment it senses this motion, allowing you to quickly check the time or glance at a notification. However, if you are simply carrying your phone in your hand while walking, the screen will constantly flash on and off with every step you take, draining your battery and potentially causing accidental touches on the lock screen. If you prefer your screen to remain pitch black until you explicitly touch it, you must disable the motion sensor trigger.
How to Turn Off Raise to Wake
You can revoke the operating system’s permission to automatically wake the screen via the Display settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down to the middle of the page, just below the Auto-Lock timer setting.
- Look for the toggle switch labeled Raise to Wake.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position (the green background will disappear).
The Manual Screen
The change is instantaneous. You can now aggressively shake your phone, toss it onto a bed, or carry it while jogging; the screen will remain completely dark and locked. The only way to wake the phone is to intentionally tap the glass screen with your finger or press the physical power button on the side of the device, ensuring you have total control over your battery usage.