How to Use iPhone Screen Distance to Protect Your Eyes

Holding a phone too close to your face, especially in low light, has been linked to increased eye strain and in children, a higher risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia). Apple introduced a feature called Screen Distance in iOS 17 to help address this.

When Screen Distance is on, the iPhone's front-facing TrueDepth camera (the same one used for Face ID) monitors the distance between your face and the screen. If you hold the phone closer than about 12 inches for a sustained period, a full-screen alert appears telling you to move the phone farther away. The alert does not go away until you hold the phone at a safe distance.

This feature is particularly designed for children, and Apple Surface it prominently in Screen Time settings. However, adults who spend hours reading on their phone may also benefit, especially those who tend to hold the device close without realizing it.

Screen Distance does not record video or take photos of you. The distance calculation is done on-device using the depth sensor — Apple does not collect this data.

You can turn Screen Distance on in Settings under Screen Time. If you already have Screen Time set up, it takes about 30 seconds to enable. If you do not use Screen Time, you can still turn it on without applying any other restrictions.