How To Fix Auto Lock Greyed Out on Apple iPhone 12

Auto-lock on iOS devices serves multiple purposes - it conserves battery life, secures your data, and more. But have you encountered the Auto-Lock greyed-out dilemma, fixed at 30 seconds? When this setting becomes inaccessible, it limits your control over screen timeout.

Read on if you’ve encountered a similar problem on your iOS device. In this guide, we’ll explore the possible reasons and offer steps to fix Auto-Lock greyed out on iPhone and iPad devices. If force restarts or settings resets haven’t worked for you, we’ve got alternative solutions. Let’s get started.

Part 1: Why Is Auto-Lock Greyed Out on iOS Device?

There are a few reasons why the Auto-Lock might be greyed out on your Apple iPhone 12 or iPad device, preventing you from adjusting the duration. Here are the most common culprits:

Low Power Mode

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.

Screen Time Restrictions

Screen Time restrictions can impact Auto-Lock. For instance, if your downtime schedule blocks all apps, the screen locks itself, even if the Auto-Lock timer hasn’t run out.

MDM Profile Restrictions

If the Auto-Lock is greyed out on your iPad or iPhone and you use it for work or school, a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile might be the reason. This profile restricts settings, including Auto-Lock. To fix this, contact your IT administrator and ask if they can adjust the MDM profile settings.

Alright, you know the possible reasons why the Auto-Lock option is not working on your iOS device. Still, you might be wondering how to fix the Auto-Lock greyed-out issue. Below are several ways to get your iPad or iPhone Auto-Lock 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 Apple iPhone 12 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.

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 contains settings and restrictions that can be applied to an iOS device. Organizations, schools, or IT administrators often use it to manage devices remotely and enforce specific configurations. Once installed, the settings within a profile override the Apple iPhone 12 device’s default settings. It can include restrictions related to security, network access, app usage, and more.

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 Apple iPhone 12.
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. Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) provides a simpler and safer solution.

Here’s why you should try it:

**Speedy and Efficient:**No more endless troubleshooting. Dr.Fone bypasses the MDM lock in minutes, saving you precious time.
**Data Stays Safe:**Unlike factory resets, Dr.Fone keeps all your precious photos, messages, and apps right where they belong.
**No Jailbreaking:**Say goodbye to complex hacks and warranty voiding. Dr.Fone works without jailbreaking your Apple iPhone 12, keeping it healthy and secure.
**Universal Compatibility:**Whether you own the latest iPhone with iOS 17 or an older version, Dr.Fone has your back. It supports all iOS devices and versions starting from iOS 7.0.

Have you ever bought a used iPad or Apple iPhone 12 to find the Auto-Lock option greyed out and isn’t working? Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles, often deployed by companies or schools, can restrict functionality. If you lack the credentials to bypass or remove it, Dr.Fone can help remove all MDM restrictions on your iOS device. Here’s how:

Step 1: Download and open Dr.Fone on your computer. Next, connect your Apple iPhone 12 or iPad to the computer using a USB cable and navigate to Toolbox > Screen Unlock > iOS.

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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.

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.

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.

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 Apple iPhone 12 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. This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and solutions to fix the Auto-Lock greyed out on your Apple iPhone 12 or iPad devices. From identifying the reasons like Low Power Mode and MDM configurations to implementing actionable fixes, you can now change your screen timeout. So, turn off those restrictions, remove MDM profiles, and head back to Settings.

For an easy solution, use Dr.Fone Screen Unlock to bypass MDM restrictions, giving you control over your device. Whether it’s a work phone or a personal device under MDM, Dr.Fone can offer an efficient solution. With a few clicks, you’ll have the Auto-Lock back on track, ensuring your iOS device works again just how you want it.

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How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12, Apple’s New iPhone

It has happened to all of us at some point in the other. The chances of it happening are notoriously higher when you just started using it. We are talking of passcodes on iPhones. Apple requires setting up a 6-digit passcode to use some features such as Face ID on your Apple iPhone 12. So, you thought it was a great idea to set up your new Apple iPhone 12 with a new passcode, right? The only problem is that the 6 digits you thought are bulletproof and no one will be able to come up with them in relation to you, are not coming to you either. You forgot the newly set passcode, entered the incorrect passcode more times than the software was happy about, and the Apple iPhone 12 is locked now. What to do? Read on.

Part I: Why Is Your Apple iPhone 12 Locked?

There can be a few reasons why your Apple iPhone 12 is locked, the primary ones being that you bought a second-hand Apple iPhone 12 from someone who set it up with a passcode and decided it wasn’t for them and was nonchalant enough to sell it to you without removing the passcode from the Apple iPhone 12, or that you forgot the passcode to your new Apple iPhone 12 and entered it incorrectly a few times. In any case, help is at hand.

We understand how frustrating it can be when your newly purchased Apple iPhone 12 does not unlock because of a passcode entry issue, and all you want to do is get the screen unlocked. At Wondershare, we strive to create meaningful differences in the lives of the people that use our software and keeping that in mind, we have a solution for you to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 passcode screen using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS).

II.I Using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to Unlock the Locked Apple iPhone 12

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Dr.Fone is a set of modules that make life easy for you. Any kind of problem you can think of, it is likely that Dr.Fone has a remedy for it ready in its arsenal. A locked Apple iPhone 12 is no different. Here is how to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to unlock Apple iPhone 12 passcode:

Step 1: Install Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) on your computer.

Step 2: Connect your locked Apple iPhone 12 to the computer.

Step 3: Launch Dr.Fone and select the Screen Unlock module.

Step 4: Select Unlock iOS Screen.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to boot the Apple iPhone 12 in Recovery Mode. If for some reason you are unable to boot into Recovery Mode, there are instructions at the bottom to enter DFU mode.

Step 6: Dr.Fone will tell you the phone model and the software installed on it. If it is incorrect, use the dropdown lists to select the correct information.

Click Download to download the firmware file for your device.

Step 7: Select the firmware package after the download completes. After the download completes, you can click Unlock Now to start unlocking the Apple iPhone 12.

In a short while, your Apple iPhone 12 will be unlocked. It is important to note that unlocking a locked Apple iPhone 12 cannot be done without wiping data.

II.II How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 with Find My (iPhone)

Find My allows you to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 remotely if you want to. So, if you have forgotten the passcode and are unable to unlock your Apple iPhone 12, there is a way you can unlock it using Find My. Doing this will wipe your data from the Apple iPhone 12 device and set it up as new, though. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: If you have any other Apple device that is logged in with the same Apple ID as the Apple iPhone 12, you can launch Find My on that device. Else, you can visit https://icloud.com and log into the same iCloud account/ Apple ID as the locked Apple iPhone 12.

Step 2: Under Find My (or Find My iPhone if you are using the iCloud website), select your Apple iPhone 12 and click Erase iPhone and confirm.

That’s it. You will have wiped and unlocked your Apple iPhone 12 and it will start with factory settings. Note that this works only if the Apple iPhone 12 was connected to Find My in the first place. If not, then you always have Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to help you out.

II.III Put The Apple iPhone 12 in Recovery Mode

You can unlock your Apple iPhone 12 using Recovery Mode, yourself.

Step 1: Connect your Apple iPhone 12 to the computer and open iTunes. If you are on a Mac that runs macOS Catalina or higher, open Finder.

Step 2: Press the volume up button and let go. Press the volume down button and let go. Press the side button (power button) and keep holding it till Finder or iTunes detects the phone in Recovery Mode.

Step 3: Select Restore to download and reinstall the latest iOS on your Apple iPhone 12 and unlock Apple iPhone 12.

Part III: How to Turn Off Passcodes in Apple iPhone 12

If after reading all this and going through so much hassle to unlock the Apple iPhone 12, you feel that passcodes are not worth your time, we feel you. We designed Dr.Fone to help you be at ease and be safe with passcodes for when you forget them, but if you would rather not use passcodes at all, we understand where you’re coming from. Here is how to turn off passcodes for good on Apple iPhone 12:

Step 1: Launch Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down to Face ID and Passcode.

Step 3: Enter your passcode.

Step 4: Scroll down and select Turn Passcode Off.

Step 5: Enter your passcode one last time.

You’re done. Now go ahead and forget the passcode forever. You will not need it again. Do note, however, that not using a passcode on your Apple iPhone 12 leaves not only your data but your Apple iPhone 12 itself in a highly vulnerable state. Anyone with access to your device can do anything on the Apple iPhone 12 device that you could, including setting up a passcode that you will then have to use this guide to unlock.

Part IV: More information about Apple iPhone 12/Apple iPhone 12 mini/Apple iPhone 12 Pro

The ways mentioned before should help you get out of the locked Apple iPhone 12 now. Here is a shortlist of the features of the Apple iPhone 12 range. You may learn more information about Apple iPhone 12 range that you may never know before.

5G Capability and Dual eSIM Support

The Apple iPhone 12 range builds on the Apple iPhone 12 12 range for 5G capability by supporting more bands than the Apple iPhone 12 12 lineup. 5G modems are the same across the Apple iPhone 12 lineup. the Apple iPhone 12 lineup supports dual eSIM for the first time ever in iPhones. You do get a physical SIM tray for one nano-SIM though, so don’t sit up.

Cinematic Mode

You might be wondering if you will get the highlight Cinematic Mode if you were to pick the cheapest of the Apple iPhone 12 lineup, that is, the Apple iPhone 12 mini. The answer is yes, you will. All Apple iPhone 12 models support Cinematic Mode.

Water Resistance and Charging

All Apple iPhone 12 models feature the same IP68 water resistance (that is a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes) and feature MagSafe charging. No differences here, except that the Apple iPhone 12 mini is still capped at 12W charging with MagSafe, just like the Apple iPhone 12 12 mini was.

Part V: The Bottom Line

A locked Apple iPhone 12 is never a pretty sight. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to try and unlock your Apple iPhone 12 and remove the passcode from your Apple iPhone 12. There is also Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 for you when you need help removing the passcode from your Apple iPhone 12 and unlocking it.

iPhone Is Disabled? Here Is The Way To Unlock Disabled Apple iPhone 12

Part I: Is It Possible To Unlock A Disabled iPhone?

First things first, the short answer is yes. It is entirely possible to unlock a disabled iPhone and use it again. But there is a catch-all data on the Apple iPhone 12 device that will be erased as the process wipes the Apple iPhone 12 clean. There is no other way around it.

Part II: Unlock Disabled iPhone

Now, let us get to ways how to unlock disabled iPhone. How many ways are there? Well, you might get all sorts of information online, but there are only a handful of ways to unlock a disabled iPhone, which are listed here.

II.I: Unlock Disabled iPhone With Wondershare Dr.Fone

Of course, you want to unlock your disabled iPhone as quickly as possible, so we have put the best solution first - Wondershare Dr.Fone.

What is Dr.Fone? Dr.Fone is a suite of apps designed to help you with tasks on your smartphones and tablets. These tasks include erasing data, wiping the Apple iPhone 12 device, repairing the system, taking and restoring backups, unlocking the screen, transferring WhatsApp chats, and even going as fancy as spoofing device location to help with location-aware games or prank friends and family.

This is a must-have set of tools designed for every smartphone owner, regardless of the operating system. It works on both Windows and macOS and supports both Android and iOS. Download Wondershare Dr.Fone here.

Step 1: Connect your device to the computer and select Screen Unlock in Dr.Fone.

Step 2: Click the big blue button “Unlock iOS Screen”:

Step 3: Onscreen instructions guide you to put your device in Recovery Mode:

Step 4: Software version and device model are detected automatically when the Apple iPhone 12 device is in Recovery Mode. If the automatic detection is incorrect, set it correctly before proceeding. Click Start.

Step 5: When Dr.Fone is ready to unlock disabled iPhone, click Unlock Now and wait until the notification of a successful unlock is shown.

II.II: Unlock Disabled iPhone With iTunes/ macOS Finder

The above was a fast, intuitive, step-by-step way to get you through the unlock disabled iPhone process. This was an aftermarket app to help you through the process. However, if you want to achieve the same result the Apple way, do the following:

Step 1: Connect the Apple iPhone 12 to the computer with the cable and launch iTunes or Finder (macOS Catalina and above).

Step 2: Press the volume up key on your Apple iPhone 12 and release. Then, press the volume down key and release. Lastly, press and hold the power key till you see Recovery Mode in Finder or iTunes.

Step 3: Click Restore to unlock disabled iPhone.

After this process, the Apple iPhone 12 is reset to factory defaults, and you will need to go through the setup process again.

II.III: Unlock Disabled iPhone Through The iCloud Website (Find My iPhone)

You may also use Find My on the iCloud website to unlock your disabled iPhone, if the Find My network was enabled on the iPhone.

Step 1: Go to https://icloud.com and log in using the iCloud/ Apple ID that the disabled iPhone is using. This is important because if you use any other ID, you will see devices attached to that ID, not the disabled iPhone you want to unlock.

Step 2: Click Find My and select your disabled iPhone.

Step 3: Click Erase iPhone and confirm.

The Apple iPhone 12 will be erased and restored to factory default settings. After that, you will have to set up the Apple iPhone 12 again.

II.IV: Unlock Disabled iPhone Without A Computer (Find My App)

Not so long ago, a computer was a necessity in every household for various reasons. Then, smartphones changed everything, and Apple spearheaded that change with the Apple iPhone 12 and iPad.

The iPhone, despite screen size limitations, may be used as a personal computer all by itself, depending on users’ requirements. You can work on spreadsheets, documents, and presentations on the iPad, take notes, write, draw, play music, watch videos, and practically do everything a regular household would do on a computer.

So, in today’s time and age, it may be possible that some people work exclusively with their iPhones and iPads. In that case, how to unlock a disabled iPhone without a computer?

Worry not, because Apple’s Find My is your friend. You can use Find My on your other Apple device to erase and unlock the disabled iPhone.

Step 1: Launch Find My app on your iOS device or Mac. Note that the other device should be signed in with the same Apple ID as the disabled iPhone. If not, you may sign out of iCloud on the Apple iPhone 12 device and sign in using the other Apple ID (of the disabled iPhone).

Step 2: Select the disabled iPhone from the Apple iPhone 12 devices in the sidebar, click or tap the Apple iPhone 12 device on the map and click or tap Erase This Device.

The disabled iPhone will be wiped and restored to factory defaults. The setup will need to be performed again.

Now, as we know, if Find My does not show the disabled iPhone for any reason, you will necessarily have to gain access to a computer. The other option is to visit an Apple Store and get them to do the needful.

Part III: FAQs

Here are helpful frequently asked questions for you.

FAQ 1: What is iPhone disabled?

iPhone is disabled most commonly when an incorrect password is entered too many times.

FAQ 2: Can I unlock disabled iPhone without data loss?

Unlocking a disabled iPhone requires erasing the Apple iPhone 12 device. All data on the Apple iPhone 12 device will be deleted in the process. There is currently no way to unlock disabled iPhone without data loss.

FAQ 3: How to restore data via iCloud?

After unlocking the disabled iPhone, when you set it up again, if you previously had iCloud Backup enabled, you will get the option to restore data from the latest backup.

Bonus Tip: Prevent iPhone From Getting Disabled In Future

By now, you know that should the Apple iPhone 12 be disabled for any reason, unlocking the disabled iPhone is a process that will wipe the Apple iPhone 12 device clean. And that means you will have to spend time setting it up again, restoring data from backup, and getting it back to the order you had previously. How about a tip to help you prevent a disabled iPhone?

A good passcode is one that you will remember, but it takes work for everyone to figure out. Again, this is for the safety and security of your data and device. You may use a 6-digit passcode or an alphanumeric passcode if that is more to your liking.

If you use Face ID, it will significantly minimize the instances you will have to enter your passcode, so make sure you do remember your passcode.

Conclusion

It has been nearly a decade since iPhones came with biometric authentication and around 5 years since they started using facial authentication. Both these technologies significantly reduced our dependence on having to key in our passcode each time we wanted to unlock the iPhone, buy an app, or perform an essential function.

But, when we attempt incorrect passcodes too many times, the Apple iPhone 12 gets disabled. How to unlock disabled iPhone? The ways outlined in this guide will help you unlock your disabled iPhone.

iPhone Unlock

How To Fix Auto Lock Greyed Out on Apple iPhone 12 | Dr.fone