Khaberni - With the increasing time that users spend in front of smartphone screens, problems like eye strain and myopia have become more common, especially with prolonged use of the phone at close range. To address this issue, Apple provides a smart feature in iPhones known as "Screen Distance" to help users maintain a safe distance between the phone and their face during use.
This feature works by alerting the user when the phone is too close to the face for a long period, thereby helping to reduce eye strain and improve daily usage habits.
Why is this feature a game changer?
Many users believe that enabling the night mode on their device is sufficient to protect the eyes, since it changes the screen’s colors to warmer tones at night. However, this feature does not address the main problem of holding the phone too close to the face for extended periods.
Here is where the "Screen Distance" feature plays its role by monitoring the distance between the phone and the user’s face using the front camera technology known as the "TrueDepth Camera System".
When the phone gets closer to the face than approximately 30 centimeters for an extended period, an alert appears on the screen saying: "The iPhone may be too close," and the screen stays blocked temporarily until the user moves the phone to a safe distance.
How to enable the "Screen Distance" feature on an iPhone:
1- Screen Time settings
Go to settings, then scroll down to device usage time, and press to open the menu for managing phone usage time.
It is noteworthy that the "Screen Distance" feature is not found within the display settings, but inside the "Screen Time" section, which makes it easy to overlook by many users.
2- Accessing the "Screen Distance" feature
Inside the device usage time menu, you will find the "Screen Distance" option near the top of the page. Press it to open the settings for this feature. The first time you use it, two introductory screens will appear explaining how it works and its benefits.
After reading the explanation, press "Turn on Screen Distance" to activate it.
3- Waiting for the warning
After activating the feature, use your phone normally.
If the phone approaches your face closer than the recommended distance, a message will appear on the screen saying: "The iPhone may be too close," which will then prompt you to move the phone slightly away from your face, and a "Yes" sign will appear confirming that you have reached a safe distance. After that, you can press "Continue" to resume using the phone.
4- How to disable the feature when needed
Despite its benefits, some users may find the frequent alerts annoying.
In such cases, the feature can easily be disabled by going to: (Settings ← Screen Time ← Screen Distance then toggle the activation button off).
The feature can also be reactivated at any time using the same steps.
Usage tip
Experts recommend trying the "Screen Distance" feature for at least a week before considering disabling it, as the alerts may seem frequent initially, but over time, users adapt to the correct distance, which leads to fewer notifications and more comfort for the eyes.
