iOS 15 Auto Lock Settings During Video Calls

This article provides an overview of how screen timeout and auto-lock behaviors operate during video calls on iOS 15. While users often look for a dedicated switch to manage screen dimming specifically for conferences, iOS 15 handles display persistence during video communication through system-level display configurations, Face ID attention tracking, and built-in call detection rather than an isolated video call timer toggle.

Built-in Call Detection and the Idle Timer

In iOS 15, there is no standalone setting named "Video Call Auto-Lock." Instead, iOS automatically suspends the standard Auto-Lock idle timer when a video call is actively running in the foreground.

Apple’s native FaceTime app, as well as third-party platforms utilizing Apple's developer APIs (such as the isIdleTimerDisabled property), automatically signal the operating system to keep the screen awake. This prevents the display from going to sleep while you are engaged in an active conversation, viewing a shared screen via SharePlay, or participating in a group meeting.

System Settings Controlling Screen Behavior

To modify or troubleshoot how and when your iPhone screen locks during video calls, you must adjust the core display and security settings that dictate display wakefulness:

  • Auto-Lock Interval: Located in Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Options range from 30 seconds to Never. If a third-party app fails to properly suppress the idle timer, adjusting this to a longer duration or to Never ensures the screen remains on during calls.
  • Attention Aware Features: Located in Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Attention Aware Features. On devices equipped with TrueDepth cameras, iOS 15 continuously checks whether you are looking at the screen. If you look away from the device for an extended period during a call, the system may dim the screen to preserve battery life, brightening again as soon as your attention returns.
  • Low Power Mode: Accessible via Settings > Battery. When Low Power Mode is enabled, iOS 15 enforces a strict 30-second Auto-Lock limit for most non-interactive tasks, which can occasionally override standard idle suppression in backgrounded or minimized video calls.

Third-Party App Integrations

For third-party video conferencing applications like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, auto-lock control is managed in-app or via CallKit integration. In iOS 15, these applications rely on microphone and camera permissions granted in Settings > Privacy to confirm active usage and request the system to disable the idle lock while a session is active.