Apple announced its latest version of iOS and iPadOS at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023, dubbed iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, respectively. As new releases, both bring various new features to iPhones and iPads.
Apple also added some interesting health features to its latest iOS and iPadOS releases, and one of them is Screen Distance. In this guide, you’ll learn about Screen Distance on iOS 17 and how to enable it.
What is Screen Distance on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17?
Screen Distance is an iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 feature that’s a part of the Screen Time that focuses on helping users prevent risks of developing myopia or eye strain. It uses the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone and iPad to measure the distance between your face and the iPhone or the iPad.
Screen Distance checks if you’re holding your iPhone or iPad closer to your face and the gap is less than 12-inches (30 centimeters) or lower for a substantial amount of time. If it finds that you’re holding your device closer, you’ll see a message that says “iPhone is too close,” prompting you to hold your iPhone or iPad at your arm’s length.
Moreover, until and unless you move your iPhone or iPad away from your face, you won’t be able to get rid of this message. You’ll see a Continue button once you move your device away, and pressing it will remove the message.
Devices That Support Screen Distance
Screen Distance is only available on iPhones and iPads with TrueDepth camera running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 and above. Here’s a list of iPhones and iPads that meet these requirements:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- 11-inch iPad Pro (2018 and newer)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018 and newer)
Once you’ve ensured that your device model is on the list, you can proceed with the next steps to enable it on your iPhone and iPad.
How to Enable Screen Distance on iPhone/iPad
The steps to enable Screen Distance on iPhone and iPad are similar, so the steps for iPhone also apply for iPad. Follow these simple steps to enable Screen Distance on iPhone and iPad:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Select Screen Time from Settings.
3. Tap the Screen Distance option.
4. Hit Continue on the pop-up explaining how Screen Distance works.
5. Select the Turn On Screen Distance option on the next screen.
Once you follow these steps, you can turn on Screen Distance on your iPhone or iPad effortlessly.
How to Disable Screen Distance on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17
Screen Distance is a great feature for those who want to prevent eye strains or myopia development. However, it can get annoying sometimes when you keep getting the pop-up to move your face further from your device.
In such cases, you might want to disable the Screen Distance feature. Follow these simple instructions to disable the Screen Distance feature on your iPhone and iPad:
1. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Select Screen Time.
3. Tap the Screen Distance option.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Screen Distance.
Once you follow these steps, you’ll get rid of the Screen Distance feature on your iPhone and iPad.
Screen Distance Is a Great Feature
That’s how you can make use of one of the newest additions to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Screen Distance. We recommend you to enable it as soon as you update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, respectively. It’s a helpful feature for many, especially for children who spend most of their time on iPhones or iPads.
Furthermore, there are some annoying features on the iPhone like pressing the side button ends calls. Fortunately, you can prevent your iPhone from ending calls when the side button is pressed.
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