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Which iPhones Have an Always-On Display?

Always-On display is available on iPhone 17 models and the iPhone 14, 15 and 16 Pro lines. See which standard models are excluded and how the feature behaves.

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Apple lists the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, plus the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, as models with Always-On display. The standard iPhone 17 is included; the standard iPhone 14, 15 and 16 are not on Apple’s list.

Which iPhone models support Always-On display?

Apple’s current support list names these nine models:

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  • iPhone 17
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

That list is specific to the models Apple names; it does not mean every phone in a numbered generation supports the feature. The regular iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 are not listed. Apple says Always-On display is on by default on the supported models. Apple’s supported-model list and display settings.

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What Always-On display shows

When the iPhone is locked, Always-On display keeps a dimmed version of the Lock Screen visible. It can show the time, date, notifications and Lock Screen widgets. You can choose whether wallpaper and notifications appear in the feature’s settings. Apple’s iPhone user guide.

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Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

Apple says the display can operate at a refresh rate as low as 1 Hz and dims when the phone is locked or idle. This is a display capability, not a claim that the screen stays fully lit at all times. Apple Support.

Why an iPhone screen with Always-On may go dark

A black screen does not necessarily mean the model lacks the feature. Apple says Always-On display switches off in circumstances that include:

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Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminum Case with Purple Fog Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
  • The iPhone is face down or its view is obstructed.
  • The iPhone is not near a paired Apple Watch.
  • A CarPlay session starts, or the iPhone is using Continuity Camera.
  • Low Power Mode or Sleep Focus is active.
  • It is the user’s usual bedtime.

These conditions allow the display to turn fully off rather than remain dimly visible. Apple’s iPhone user guide.

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How to turn Always-On display on or off

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Tap Always-On Display.
  4. Use the setting to turn the feature on or off. Adjust wallpaper and notification visibility there as well.

Apple says the feature is enabled by default on the models it lists as supported. Apple Support.

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paybay Smart Watch for Women Men, 41mm AMOLED Activity Fitness Tracker for Android iPhone with Always On Display, 150+ Sports, Calorie & Step Counter, Sleep Monitor, Answer/Make Calls (Black)
  • Intelligent Support, Always On: Your intelligent companion, powered by AI and ready when you are. Access help and information through voice, with support for a wide range of tasks. Manage schedules, get quick answers, or facilitate conversations in different languages—all designed to integrate smoothly into your day, making everyday interactions more intuitive and supported
  • Your All-Day Activity Partner: This fitness watch tracks everything from gym sessions to hikes with 150+ manual sport modes. For daily movement, smart auto-tracking acts as a reliable step counter to keep up with you. Beyond workouts, our intuitive fitness tracker monitors your steps, calorie burn, and stress levels around the clock, helping you understand the balance between effort and recovery for a more mindful, energized lifestyle
  • Privacy Meets Convenience: Stay informed discreetly with an always-visible display. Meanwhile, your health stats and notifications stay locked behind a passcode—visible only to you. Add custom Do Not Disturb windows to control when alerts come through. It’s the balanced way to stay connected while keeping your personal space truly personal
  • Understand and Nurture Your Day : Start each day feeling truly restored. The sleep monitor gets detailed insights into your sleep stages—light, deep, and REM—so you understand what a good night really means. Throughout your day, gentle nudges help you stay on track: reminders to hydrate, prompts to move after sitting too long, and guided breathing moments to ease tension. It's your partner for a more balanced, energized daily flow
  • Help at a Tap:Safety, simplified and direct. With pre-set contacts, one press immediately dials your chosen person for help. It cuts through uncertainty, providing a straightforward way to reach someone you trust during a walk alone, travel, or at home. It’s not just a feature—it’s your prepared plan for peace of mind in daily life
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Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
  • A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
  • KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
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