How to increase screen-on time (turns off very fast)

If there screen turns off very fast after inactivity, you just need to adjust the waiting time on your Android. You can also postpone the lock screen in a similar way.

From the factory, my mobile screen was configured to turn off only a few seconds after I stop touching or using it. This phone and practically all Android cell phones have their own option available in Settings, which allows you to increase the active screen time (time spent on) after stopping using the mobile.

Screen timeout

In a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, this parameter is in the following path:

1. Settings
2. Screen
3. Screen timeout (Select the time the screen will remain on after you stop using the cell phone).

The process should be similar in Huawei, Xiaomi and any Android cell phone. If the option is disabled, the power mode is probably enabled and you will need to disable it (Settings, Battery, Power saving mode).

Due to their nature, some apps and games keep the screen on indefinitely, so this setting is overridden by them.

Screen lock time

Generally, the screen also locks immediately after being turned off after user inactivity. This can be even more annoying than the fact that the screen turns off very quickly, because you have to unlock all the time.

To make it hang after a while, do the following:

1. Settings
2. Lock and Security
3. Secure Lock Settings
4. Auto Lock (Select the time it will take for the screen to lock after turning itself off).

This does not disable the screen lock but adjusts the time it takes for the screen to lock after it is turned off, precisely to avoid constant unlocking.

Checking the “Lock with Power Key” option will do just that. If you only want to turn off the screen when you press this button (do not lock it), you must leave this option unchecked.

Unfortunately I have not found a similar option on my Huawei Y5 2019 with Android 9. However, if you go to the developer options you can disable the Screen lock, as indicated here.

Screen time, battery and security

Battery consumption increases the longer the screen sleep time. It is more comfortable to have the screen active and available for longer, but this directly affects the battery life, so you have to balance both.

As for the lock screen delay, keep in mind that the longer the time, the more exposed your phone will be to unauthorized use during the time it remains unlocked.

Advanced screen on and off control

This is a basic Android native manual setting. If you want something more advanced, try Google’s Smart Lock feature and some powerful apps that we cite in our comprehensive article on Android screen lock. You can also use apps to control automatic on and off. For example, applications such as Kin Screen, Gravity Screen or Wave Up allow you to control the power and screen time by simply passing your hand over the device.

How to turn on the screen by swiping your hand (Samsung «Air Gestures»)

APPS to turn off the screen automatically or with a virtual button

How to lock or disable the touch screen on Android