Holding smartphones too close to your eyes for extended periods is a leading contributor to digital eye strain, visual fatigue, headaches, and the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), particularly in children and adolescents. Starting in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Apple introduced Screen Distance within the Screen Time suite. Using the front-facing TrueDepth camera system (the same hardware that powers Face ID), Screen Distance monitors physical distance and gently prompts you to move your device farther away when held closer than 30 centimetres (12 inches) for prolonged intervals.
Device Requirements and Privacy Protection
Screen Distance operates on any iPhone or iPad equipped with a TrueDepth camera running iOS 17 or later (iPhone XS and newer models). Importantly, Screen Distance respects personal privacy:
- The TrueDepth camera only measures distance; it does not capture, store, or transmit photographs or video footage.
- All depth calculations occur entirely on-device using Apple’s Neural Engine.
- Neither Apple nor third-party applications can access your facial biometric data.
How to Turn On Screen Distance on iPhone
Activating this health feature takes less than a minute:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Screen Time.
- Under the Limit Usage section, tap on Screen Distance.
- Read the introductory health briefing, then tap Continue.
- Toggle the Screen Distance switch to the On position.
What Happens When Your iPhone is Held Too Close
Screen Distance is designed not to interrupt brief glances, but rather to break harmful habits:
- If you hold your iPhone closer than 12 inches for more than several minutes, an opaque full-screen shield temporarily covers your display reading: “iPhone is Too Close: Keeping your iPhone at an arm’s length can protect your vision.”
- Active games, videos, or reading materials are paused behind the shield.
- Move your iPhone backward until it reaches arm’s length (more than 30 cm away).
- A green checkmark icon will appear on the shield, and a blue Continue button will illuminate at the bottom.
- Tap Continue to instantly resume your previous task.
Using Screen Distance with Family Sharing for Children
If you manage your children’s Apple devices via Family Sharing:
- Open Settings > Screen Time and tap your child’s name under Family.
- Tap Screen Distance.
- Turn the feature on and secure it with your master Screen Time passcode. Children under 13 in Family Sharing groups have Screen Distance enabled automatically by default.