[Solved] Auto Lock Greyed Out on iPad & iPhone? 6 Easy Fixes (2025)

Part 1: Why is Auto-Lock Greyed Out on My iPad or iPhone?

There are a few reasons why the Auto-Lock might be greyed out on your iPhone or iPad device, preventing you from adjusting the duration. Here are the most common culprits:

1. Low Power Mode

"Is Low Power Mode enabled? Auto-Lock changes to 30 seconds and greys out the field when LPM is enabled."

"If it isn’t, try enabling and disabling it to check if it was glitched out."

When you activate Low Power Mode on your iOS device, you might notice the screen automatically locking after 30 seconds of inactivity. This quick sleep setting, implemented to minimize power usage, explains why the Auto-Lock option appears greyed out and inaccessible.

2. Screen Time Restrictions

Screen Time restrictions can directly affect your Auto-Lock options. For example, if your downtime schedule restricts apps, you may notice the iPad Auto-Lock greyed out or your iPhone Auto-Lock greyed out unexpectedly. In some cases, users even ask, ‘why is my iPad Auto-Lock stuck on 2 minutes?’—which is often linked to Screen Time restrictions overriding your chosen settings. Adjusting or disabling Screen Time is usually the fix if your Auto-Lock is greyed out on iPhone or iPad.

3. MDM Profile Restrictions

If you find the iPad Auto-Lock greyed out or notice similar issues on your iPhone, it may be due to a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile installed by your workplace or school. MDM settings often restrict key options—including Auto-Lock—preventing you from changing the timer manually. To fix this, contact your IT administrator and ask if they can adjust the MDM profile settings.

Tips: Looking for an all-in-one mobile management software? Look no further than Dr.Fone App - the ultimate choice for all your needs:

• For iOS Users: Free up space with Smart Clean, remove any restriction including screen lock, iCloud activation lock, MDM, or Apple ID, and transfer data easily between devices with our all-in-one iOS solution.
• For Android Users: Bypass screen locks and FRP with our Android unlocker, change your location with one click, and repair damaged Samsung devices with ease.

Discover more possibilities for mobile management solutions with Dr.Fone App (iOS) and Dr.Fone App (Android). Don't miss out, try it now and revolutionize your smartphone experience.

3981454 people have downloaded it

Part 2: 6 Proven Ways to Fix a Greyed Out Auto-Lock

Now that you know the common reasons behind the issue, you’re probably asking how to fix the iPhone Auto-Lock greyed out problem. Don’t worry—this is a common issue that also affects iPads, and the solutions are straightforward. Whether your iPad Auto-Lock is stuck on 2 minutes due to Screen Time, MDM restrictions, or outdated settings, the following methods will help you get the Auto-Lock feature working normally again.

Fix No.1: Disable Low Power Mode

Your iPhone Auto-Lock greyed out because Low Power Mode limits background activities, including the Auto-Lock option. In this mode, you cannot change the Auto-Lock settings. Turn off Low Power Mode to fix this issue and choose your preferred timeout. Here's how:

• Step 1: Go to your iPhone or iPad's Settings app.
• Step 2: Scroll down and tap Battery. It will show you your device's battery usage and available settings.
• Step 3: Turn off the Low Power Mode. Now, the greyed-out Auto-Lock option in Settings should be available again.

Low Battery Mode can stretch your battery life further. But if you need your screen to stay on longer, like while reading an article or watching a video, you can turn it off. It lets you adjust the screen timeout in Settings so it stays awake for as long as you like.

"Low Power Mode is OFF and I have NO configuration profiles installed, but Auto-Lock is still grayed out. I have an iPhone 14 on iOS 17.1.1. What is causing this?"---from Reddit

Fix No.2: Check Screen Time Restrictions

You've ruled out the Low Power Mode, but the Auto-Lock greyed out on iPad or iPhone remains. If Low Power Mode isn't causing the problem, your screen time settings might be the issue. Some app restrictions can limit your screen use to specific times, causing it to lock automatically. Resolve this by removing limits, such as downtime and app restrictions, or turning it off.

• Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
• Step 2: Go to Screen Time, then scroll down.
• Step 3: Tap Turn Off Screen Time.

Fix No.3: Remove MDM Configuration Profile

A configuration profile is a file that applies custom settings and restrictions to your iPhone or iPad. These profiles are commonly installed by schools, organizations, or IT administrators to manage devices remotely. Once active, the profile can override your default iOS settings—affecting features like security, network access, and even Auto-Lock. This is one of the main reasons users find the Auto-Lock greyed out iPhone option in Settings.

Since an MDM configuration profile causes limitations, like the greyed-out Auto-Lock on iPad, removing it can be the solution. Doing so frees your iOS device from external settings imposed by the profile. Then, it could allow you to adjust the Auto-Lock time setting as you normally would.

• Step 1: See the configuration profiles you installed on your iOS device.
• Go to Settings> General > VPN & Device Management on your iPhone.
• Go to Settings> General > Profiles & Device Management on your iPad.
• Step 2: Select the configuration profile you need to delete.
• Step 3: Tap Remove Profile, enter your device passcode, then tap Remove.

Fix No.4: Remove Network Settings Installed by MDM

Businesses often use Mobile Device Management (MDM) to remotely manage their employees' iPhones and iPads. MDM lets IT admins push software updates, restrict apps, and remotely wipe a lost device. This keeps corporate data safe and devices under control, whether the company or the employee owns them.

If you're having trouble with a greyed-out Auto-Lock timeout setting, disassociating your device from MDM might be an option. But remember, this is a big step. Make sure you follow your company's authorized procedures to avoid unintended consequences.

If your IT team gives the green light, you might also be able to remove the network settings installed by MDM. Just proceed with caution, as messing with these settings could lead to instability or data loss. Here's how:

• Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
• Step 2: Navigate to General > Profile or VPN & Device Management (or a similar section).
• Step 3: Select the management and tap Remove Management.

If the option is unavailable, only the person who used Apple Configurator 2 or handles your company's mobile device management platform can remove it.

Fix No.5: Use Dr.Fone To Bypass MDM Lock Without Data Loss

Unfortunately, manually removing profiles can be tricky, especially if they're associated with MDM, Apple School Manager, or supervised configurations. These often require the removal of passwords, admin privileges, or complete data wipes. But there's good news. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) provides a simpler and safer solution.

Here's why you should try it:

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove MDM From iPhone or iPad Without Password

• Unlock Face ID, Touch ID, Apple ID without password.
• Bypass the iCloud activation lock without hassle.
• Remove iPhone carrier restrictions for unlimited usage.
• No tech knowledge required, Simple, click-through, process.

Available on: Windows Mac

Try It Free

Try It Free

3981454 people have downloaded it

Have you ever bought a used iPad or iPhone only to discover the iPad Auto-Lock greyed out in Settings and impossible to change? This issue often happens because the device is still controlled by a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile previously installed by a school or company. These profiles can limit key features—including Auto-Lock—unless you have the correct login credentials to remove them. If you don’t, tools like Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) can safely bypass or remove MDM restrictions, giving you full access to your Auto-Lock settings and restoring normal functionality. Here's how:

• Step 1: Download and open Dr.Fone on your computer. Next, connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer using a USB cable and navigate to Toolbox > Screen Unlock > iOS.

• Step 2: Within the Screen Unlock tool window, select Unlock MDM iPhone.

• Step 3: Select Bypass MDM, then click Get Start to proceed.

• Step 4: Please review the message carefully before initiating the MDM bypass process. Once you've read it, click Start to Bypass to proceed.

• Step 5: If prompted, go to your device's Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and turn off the Find My feature. Next, click OK to initiate the MDM bypass.
• Step 6: The software will display the progress of the bypass. Wait for it to complete.
• Step 7: You'll see a confirmation message once the bypass is successful. Click Done to exit. Your device should now be free from MDM restrictions.

4,624,541 people have downloaded it

safe & secure

Fix No.6: Check and Adjust Auto-Lock Settings

Once you've tried all the fixes above, you might need to set up the Auto-Lock timeout again.

1. Setup Auto-Lock on iPad

Here are the steps on how to change Auto-Lock on iPad devices:

• Step 1: Within the Settings app, scroll down the list on the left-hand side and tap Display & Brightness.
• Step 2: On the right-hand side of the Display & Brightness screen, tap the Auto-Lock option.

• Step 3: A list of time options will appear, ranging from 2 minutes to 15 minutes, as well as Never. Select the time you want your iPad to wait before automatically locking the screen after inactivity. If you want the screen to stay on indefinitely, choose Never.

Step 4: Once you've selected your preferred auto-lock duration, you can exit the Settings app. The change will be applied automatically.

2. Setup Auto-Lock on iPhone

Here's how to change Auto-Lock on iPhone devices:

• Step 1: Open the Settings app.
• Step 2: Tap on Display & Brightness, scroll down, and tap Auto-Lock.
• Step 3: Choose the desired time interval for your iPhone to automatically lock. The available options typically range from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. You may also have the option to select Never if you prefer to have the screen stay on indefinitely until you manually lock it.

Conclusion

There you have it—now you know how to fix the Auto-Lock greyed out iPhone issue (also common on iPads). From Low Power Mode to MDM restrictions, identifying the cause and applying the right fix lets you change your screen timeout again. Disable restrictions, remove any MDM profiles, and head back to Settings to regain full control of your Auto-Lock feature.

For a quick fix to the iPhone Auto-Lock greyed out issue, use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to bypass MDM restrictions and regain control of your device. Whether it’s a work iPhone or an iPad locked by an MDM profile, Dr.Fone offers an efficient way to restore Auto-Lock settings in just a few clicks, ensuring your iOS device works exactly the way you want.

safe & secure