To turn off Attention Aware features on an iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and turn off Attention Aware Features. Your iPhone then stops checking whether you’re looking at it before dimming the screen or lowering alert sounds.
Applies to: iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later) running iOS 17 or later. Checked against Apple Support on October 10, 2026.
What Attention Aware features do
Using the Face ID camera, your iPhone checks whether you’re looking at the screen. When you are, it:
- Keeps the screen from dimming or locking while you read.
- Lowers the volume of alerts and ringtones, because you can already see them.
- Expands notifications on the Lock Screen to show their full content.
Turn off Attention Aware features
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
- Scroll down and turn off Attention Aware Features.
You can also find the same switch in Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention.
What changes after you turn it off
- The screen dims and locks on the Auto-Lock timer, even if you’re reading. Change the timer in Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. See how to change your iPhone’s sleep settings.
- Alerts and ringtones play at full volume, even when you’re looking at the phone.
- Notification previews on the Lock Screen follow your normal Show Previews setting instead.
Why people turn it off
- Alerts are too quiet: If your ringtone drops in volume whenever you glance at the phone, and you miss calls, turning this off keeps it loud.
- Privacy: Some people prefer the camera not to check for their face while they use the phone. The check happens on the device and isn’t stored or sent to Apple.
- It doesn’t work well for you: Sunglasses, some glasses, or certain lighting can stop it detecting your attention.
Don’t confuse it with “Require Attention for Face ID”
The same settings page has a separate switch called Require Attention for Face ID. It makes Face ID unlock only when your eyes are open and looking at the phone. Turning it off makes unlocking slightly easier, but someone could unlock your iPhone by holding it up to your face while you’re asleep. Leave it on unless you have a specific need, such as an accessibility reason.
You can also watch this video about how to disable the Attention Aware feature on an iPhone.
Related screen settings
- Raise to Wake: In Settings > Display & Brightness, this wakes the screen when you lift the iPhone. Turn it off if the screen lights up too often in your pocket or bag.
- Always On Display: On iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models, the Lock Screen stays dimly visible. Turn it off in Display & Brightness > Always On Display to save battery.
- Face ID with a mask or glasses: In Face ID & Passcode, turn on Face ID with a Mask, or add glasses you wear, to help Face ID and attention detection recognize you.
- Alternate appearance: If you sometimes look very different, such as with work safety glasses, select Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
If the setting doesn’t behave as expected
- You can’t find the switch: Your iPhone uses Touch ID instead of Face ID. Attention Aware features need the Face ID camera.
- The screen still stays on while you read: Check Auto-Lock isn’t set to Never.
- Alerts are still quiet: Check the ringer volume in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and make sure Silent mode or a Focus isn’t on. See how to turn silent mode on or off on iPhone 14.
- The setting is greyed out: Restrictions in Screen Time or a work profile may control it.
Frequently asked questions
Does turning this off affect Face ID security?
No. Attention Aware Features only controls dimming, alert volume, and notification previews. The security setting is Require Attention for Face ID.
Does it drain the battery?
Very little. The checks are brief and use the same hardware as Face ID.
Does Attention Aware work with sunglasses?
Often not, because many sunglasses block the infrared light the Face ID camera uses. If you wear them a lot, you may find the screen dims while you’re reading. Turning the feature off makes the behavior predictable.
Is the camera recording me?
No. The Face ID camera checks for attention on the device itself. Nothing is recorded or sent to Apple.
Can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Follow the same steps and turn the switch back on.
Related: how to make an iPhone 15 screen turn off and how to turn off the passcode on iPhone.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.