How to Turn Off iPhone Too Close? Avoid Eye Strain

It’s 2 AM, you’re watching your favourite series on your iPad, and the screen dims and shows you the message “iPad is Too Close.” Frustrating? Yes. And you frustratingly asked yourself, “How to turn off iphone too close”? This is Apple’s Screen Distance feature, a useful tool to protect your eyes, but it can sometimes be overly cautious in its protection.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to turn off iphone too close, and most importantly, how to turn it off when you want uninterrupted viewing time.

What Is Screen Distance on iPhone and iPad?

Apple launched and introduced a new feature called Screen Distance with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Screen Distance is Apple’s way of trying to mitigate prolonged near-vision exposure to screens. Screen Distance is part of the technology that can be found in the Screen Time settings.

It encourages the user to spend less time in front of screen, especially children, and to maintain a distance of at least 12 inches between their eyes and their devices. Why? To lower the risk of myopia (short-sightedness) and to avoid digital eye strain and bad postural habits.

When figuring how to turn off iphone too close? You first have to understand how it works. It utilises Face ID sensors to measure the distance between your face and the screen. If you are too close to your iPhone or iPad for too long, the software will block your screen with a full-screen alert until you move your device back to a safe distance.

Why Screen Distance Exists (And When It Gets Annoying)

Apple had the best of intentions when they developed this feature to promote vision health. The British Journal of Ophthalmology published a study that found increased screen time and close-up device usage are correlated with an increase in myopia, especially among children.

But sometimes, if you ask “how to turn off iphone too close” it’s like you are lying in bed reading an eBook or watching YouTube! The message pops up.

How to Turn Off Screen Distance on iPhone or iPad

Well, follow these steps to know how to turn off iPhone too close. Disabling this feature is a peice of cake. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and select Screen Time.
Under Limit Usage toggles, select Screen Distance.
Toggle the switch ‘off’.

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What If the Message Still Appears?

For some users, the problem still persists, and they keep on asking “how to turn off iphone too close” even after turning it off. Don’t panic. The first thing you can try is:

Return to Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance.

Turn the switch on, then turn it off again.
Restart your iPhone or iPad.

The magic happens when you realise that Apple is using Face ID. The infrared camera does not capture images or video; instead, it uses depth-sensing data to provide distance information between your eyes and the screen.

Pros and Cons of Screen Distance

Feature	Benefit	Downside
Eye protection	Reduces the risk of eye strain & myopia	Interrupts viewing for some users
Helpful for children	Encourages good device habits early	Annoying for adults with poor eyesight
Privacy-Friendly	Data is stored locally on the device	Might still trigger after being disabled

Feeling More in Control?

Now that you know how to turn off iPhone too close alerts, you can enjoy your content without sudden interruptions. Whether you’re binge-watching late at night or reading up close, the Screen Distance feature no longer needs to be a bother. It’s great to have when needed, but even better when you know how to switch it off.

So, the next time your iPhone or iPad dims with that “Too Close” warning, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Well, besides questions like “how to turn off iphone too close,” you have further queries like:

1. Can I use Face ID with Screen Distance turned off?

Yes, turning off screen distance does not disable Face ID functionality.

2. Does this feature affect battery life?

No, the Face ID sensor uses minimal power and does not significantly affect battery performance.

3. Can children bypass screen distance settings?

If parental controls are enabled via Screen Time, they won’t be able to turn off this feature without a passcode.

4. How to turn off my iPhone proximity alert?

Go to Settings> Screen Time

Tap Screen Distance, then turn Screen Distance on or off.

5. How to deactivate a proximity sensor?

To deactivate a proximity sensor on an Android device, you can typically navigate to the phone’s settings, locate the sensor settings, and then disable the proximity sensor. Alternatively, some devices offer a “Sensors Off” toggle in developer options, which disables all sensors, including the proximity sensor.