Go to Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance and turn it on. The feature requires iOS 17 or later, an iPhone with a TrueDepth (Face ID) camera, and Face ID set up. It then warns you when the phone is held closer than about 12 inches (30 cm) for an extended period.
What Screen Distance does
Screen Distance uses the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to estimate how close your face is to the display. If the phone remains closer than Apple’s approximately 12-inch (30 cm) threshold for an extended period, iOS covers the screen with a full-screen warning. It is a behavioral reminder, not a constant eye tracker, posture monitor, or eye-health diagnosis.
Apple presents greater viewing distance as a way to encourage healthier habits, potentially reduce digital eyestrain, and possibly lower myopia risk in younger users. It is not a treatment or guarantee against eye disease. Apple does not publish a universal countdown for the warning. Testing-based reports have observed alerts after roughly five minutes or sometimes less, but timing can vary with camera visibility, position, and software.
Apple says the TrueDepth system is used for distance estimation rather than capturing images or video for this feature, with relevant processing kept on the device, as reported by 9to5Mac.
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How to turn on Screen Distance
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap Screen Distance.
- Follow any introductory Continue prompts.
- Turn on Screen Distance (older iOS 17 screens may show Turn On Screen Distance).
If the option is absent, first check Settings > General > Software Update, confirm the iPhone has Face ID hardware, and make sure Face ID is set up in Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
How to enable it for a child
- On the parent’s iPhone, open Settings > Screen Time.
- Select the child’s name under the Family Sharing section.
- Tap Screen Distance and turn it on.
Apple says Screen Distance is generally enabled by default for children under 13 in a Family Sharing group, although the age rule varies by country or region. When a child updates a device signed in with their Apple Account, the setting may be enabled again across their devices. Update relevant family devices before changing settings if synchronization is important.
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What to do when “iPhone Is Too Close” appears
- Move the iPhone farther than about 12 inches (30 cm) from your face.
- Wait for iOS to recognize the safer distance.
- Tap Continue.
The alert temporarily blocks viewing; it does not shut down or permanently lock the iPhone.
Which devices support Screen Distance?
The rule is straightforward: the device needs a TrueDepth camera, iOS 17 or later (or iPadOS 17 or later on iPad), and Face ID set up. The feature is not available on Touch ID models such as iPhone SE. The iPhone X has Face ID but cannot run iOS 17, so it does not qualify for this feature.
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| Device category | Examples that can qualify | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XS, XS Max, XR; iPhone 11 series and newer Face ID models supported by the installed iOS | TrueDepth camera, iOS 17 or later, Face ID set up |
| iPad | Face ID iPad Pro models, including supported 2018-era 11-inch and 12.9-inch models and later generations | TrueDepth camera, iPadOS 17 or later, Face ID set up |
| Touch ID iPhone | iPhone SE and other Touch ID models | Not supported because the required TrueDepth hardware is absent |
For Apple’s current model compatibility details, see its Face ID support page. That list includes devices released after iOS 17, so it should not be read as the original iOS 17 launch lineup.
Why Screen Distance may not work
The setting is missing
- The iPhone is below iOS 17.
- The model lacks TrueDepth hardware, such as an iPhone SE.
- You are looking under Accessibility instead of Settings > Screen Time.
- A child’s controls must be opened through that child’s Screen Time profile.
- Family Sharing, regional age rules, or account settings affect the available controls.
Check Settings > General > About for the software version, update the device, open Screen Time directly, and restart after updating. If Face ID cannot be set up, investigate the TrueDepth camera rather than Screen Distance alone.
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It never warns
- Confirm Face ID is set up.
- Keep the phone facing you with your face and eyes visible.
- Clean the TrueDepth camera area and remove a case, protector, dirt, or finger that covers it.
- Hold the phone genuinely closer than the threshold and keep it there for several minutes; an instant warning is not expected.
- Avoid unusual angles, low or high positions, or face-obscuring eyewear.
- Install the latest available iOS update.
These camera and positioning checks are practical applications of Apple’s Face ID troubleshooting guidance, not a published list of Screen Distance-specific failure codes. See Apple’s Face ID troubleshooting and TrueDepth camera guidance.
It appears too often
Hold the phone farther away, improve lighting and camera visibility, and remove obstructions. Increase text size or use Display Zoom so the screen remains readable at a safer distance. If the reminder conflicts with an accessibility need, turn it off rather than disabling Face ID; Screen Distance depends on the TrueDepth system.
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How to turn Screen Distance off
- Open Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance.
- Turn off Screen Distance.
For a child’s account, the parent may need to open the child’s Screen Time profile and enter the Screen Time passcode. Apple notes that child settings can be restored when devices are updated.
Accessibility and eye-health considerations
The 12-inch threshold is Apple’s viewing-distance guideline, not an individualized medical prescription. Someone who must hold a phone close because of low vision, severe near-vision difficulty, or another condition may find the interruption unsuitable. Improve readability first through Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, larger text, Display Zoom, spoken content, or a larger iPad. Reading glasses should be chosen with an optometrist’s advice.
Persistent eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, or difficulty reading at ordinary distances warrants an eye-care appointment. Screen Distance can encourage a habit, but it cannot diagnose or treat those symptoms.
Alternatives and complements
- Increase text size and contrast in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Use Display Zoom or a larger screen to avoid moving the phone close.
- Take regular breaks during prolonged near work.
- Use professionally prescribed reading glasses when appropriate.
- Keep Screen Distance enabled for children or anyone who benefits from an interruption-based reminder.
For Apple’s official feature description and controls, see Apple Support and the iPhone User Guide.
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