The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the first Apple smartphones to offer the Always On Display feature. But I prefer Android’s more minimalistic AoD, with the screen off, no wallpaper, and only the clock visible. Fortunately, we can do this rendering on the iPhone with a simple setup in iOS 16. I’ll show you how in this quick tutorial.
The Always On Display feature is exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Basically, Apple’s AoD looks exactly like a regular iPhone lock screen, just with a slightly darker screen. Personally, I find the Always On Display on the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) a little too busy. I don’t need to see my wallpaper. I just want to see the time, my notifications, and possibly my widgets.
In iOS 16 settings, you can get a “true” minimalist Always On Display with Do Not Disturb mode, just like you’re used to on Android smartphones.
How to achieve true Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro (Max)?
To get started, you need to make sure Always On Display is enabled on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- go to set up then in Brightness and Display
- Activate the switch marked as always online
Make sure you have Always On Display activated on your iPhone 14 Pro (Max) / © kwgeek
Then, have the famous “true” Always On Display on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max just like on Android:
- go to set up then in focus
- press do not disturb Then Options
- Activate the switch marked as dark lock screen
- Switch to mode before or after locking your iPhone do not disturb pass control center
iOS 16’s Do Not Disturb mode will dim the Always On Display screen / © kwgeek
After that, all you have to do is switch to Do Not Disturb mode via iOS 16’s Control Center.Swipe down from the top right of the iPhone screen and press the button to the left of the brightness bar as shown in the video below.
When enabled, the lock screen will be completely dimmed, making your iPhone screen appear to be off. Only the clock, widgets (if you have them) and notifications (manually allowed) are visible. In short, it’s just like on an Android smartphone.
The solution is still DIY and not optimal in 100% of cases. Do not disturb mode blocks notifications. Therefore, you must manually select apps and contacts to allow them to bypass Do Not Disturb mode restrictions. do this:
- go to set up then in focus
- press do not disturb
- Enter people and / or application Grant permissions and receive notifications
You can manually grant permissions to certain contacts and apps to prevent Do Not Disturb mode from blocking these notifications. / © kwgeek
What do you think of this iOS 16 trick? Do you also find Apple’s Always On Display too busy? Or do you prefer Apple’s solution to the one on Android?