Some iPhone users may have noticed after updating that a notification sometimes appears on the screen: “The iPhone screen may be too close. To maintain visual acuity, view content on your iPhone screen while holding the device at arm’s length.” Not everyone liked the new feature; in addition, it can affect the rate of battery discharge.
This simple guide shows you how to turn off distance detection on your iPhone and the corresponding notification when it’s too close.
Disable Screen Distance feature
The “iPhone screen may be too close” reminder appears when iOS 17’s new Screen Distance feature uses the TrueDepth camera to detect that you’ve been holding the phone screen close to your face for an extended period of time.
This feature is disabled for most users, but children under 13 who are added to a family group may have it turned on by default.
To turn off the “iPhone screen may be too close” notification, simply follow these steps:
- Open Settings and go to Screen Time
- Click on the item “Distance to screen”
- Turn off the Screen Distance feature
- If you manage your child’s screen time (set up iPhone parental controls ), you can do the same in your child’s screen time settings from your or their phone.
Done, now the corresponding screen asking you to move the screen will not appear.
It should be borne in mind that prolonged use of device screens at close range can indeed lead to problems with visual acuity, especially in children, as well as excessive eye strain, headaches and other symptoms.
Perhaps you should pay attention to iOS warnings and try to use your phone in a way that does not cause consequences in the long term.
