How to Turn iPhone on & off, Place it to Sleep Mode?

For mobile users getting accustomed to Android OS, it is really hard to suit the iOS system. However, plenty of users prefer Apple products due to its advanced features. One of them is sleep mode, which means you can put the iPhone to sleep when you need to save power or silence notifications and calls. Then how to put the iPhone to sleep?

In iOS 14 and watchOS 7, Apple introduced a new Sleep Tracking feature that allows you to track how much sleep you get each night and improve your sleep habits using bedtime reminders and a tapering process.

Here in this post, we will introduce what is the Sleep mode on iPhone, how to put it to sleep with the Sleep/Wake button, and the Do Not Disturb feature, which can be used when you’re going to sleep. Also, there is a way to stop the iPhone from going to sleep mode. Keep reading and know the details about sleep mode.

Part 1. What is iPhone Sleep Mode

Since you may not want your iPhone turned on all the time, you can turn the phone off or keep it locked or put it to sleep mode. iPhone Sleep Mode can be activated when you press the Sleep button or turn on Do Not Disturb.

So Sleep mode is: Your iPhone is asleep when it’s not off but the screen is dark. And you can place iPhone to Sleep Mode with two methods below:

• When the iPhone is in a locked and dark screen: It can receive incoming calls, messages, notifications and etc. And you can use the Sleep/Wake button on iPhone to turn off the display, going to sleep when you’re not using the device.
• As the picture shows below, on iPhone 6 and later (including iPhone with Face ID and Home button), the Sleep/Wake button is on the right side of the devices, also named Side button. And on iPhone 5 and earlier, you can find the Sleep/Wake button on the top of the devices.

• When Do Not Disturb is on, calls and notification can be silent.

Next, we will introduce how to put the iPhone to sleep with the Sleep button and Do Not Disturb button. Also, you can check the way how to stop the iPhone from going to sleep mode.

Part 2. How to Put iPhone to Sleep

1. Use the Sleep button

How to Wake and Unlock iPhone

As mentioned above, when you press the Sleep/Wake button on the iPhone to turn off the display, iPhone will lock for security and go to sleep when you’re not using the device. And also, you can use the button to wake and unlock the iPhone when you use it again.

• To wake iPhone from sleep: Press and release the Side button or Sleep/Wake button, or tap the screen for iPhone X and later models. Also, you can turn on Raise to wake (Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Toggle Raise to wake green).
• To unlock iPhone: Wake iPhone and then enter iPhone passcode, or with Face ID or Touch ID. 

Further Reading: How to Fix iPhone Face ID Not Working >

• To turn off iPhone: If you want to turn iPhone off to save power or restart/reset iPhone,
• For iPhone X and later models, press and hold either the volume button and the side button until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider to turn off.
• For iPhone 6/7/8 and SE(2nd), press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider to turn off.
• For iPhone 5 and earlier and SE(1st), press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider to turn off.

Further Reading: How to Fix Touch ID Not Working on iPhone/iPad >

2. Set Do Not Disturb

If you want to protect you from being disturbed while in a meeting or sleeping, the Do Not Disturb Mode is necessary. In that mode, the setting dims display, silences calls, and notifications while your iPhone is locked until the end time (the time can be scheduled with yourself).

Meanwhile, you can also allow calls selectively beforehand. In other words, the permitted calls you set in this mode can still reach you. Just go settings to set up if there is a need. Below are the steps to set Do Not Disturb and Scheduled time:

How to Turn on Do Not Disturb

Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Turn on Do Not Disturb to silence calls and notifications.

Set Scheduled Time and Allowed Calls

• Turn on Scheduled under Do Not Disturb > Tap From To, set the beginning and ending times for quiet hours > Turn on Dim Lock Screen. It will be applied for the time period you select to dims the lock screen and send notifications to the Notification Center during that time.
• To silence while the iPhone is locked, choose While iPhone is Locked.
• To allow incoming calls, tap Allow Calls From and select No One or Favorites.

Part 3. How to Stop iPhone from Going to Sleep Mode

iOS devices will default to enter into Sleep Mode when you undo actions for two minutes. If you don’t want your iOS device to go to sleep: Open Settings > Click Display & Brightness > Tap Auto-Lock, here you can change the time for 30 seconds or 1 minute to turn off the display. Also, you can choose Never to stop the iPhone from going to Sleep Mode.

Part 4: Bonus Tip: Fix iPhone Sleep Mode Not Working

You might meet plenty of problems when you are using iPhones. You might find iPhone Sleep Mode not working error, or iPhone stuck in sleep mode and so on.

AnyFix, a professional iOS system repair & recovery tool, is built to fix the sleep mode error issues. Additionally, it can fix iO150+ system issues of iPhone/iPad/iPod/Apple TV, like stuck on Apple logo.

Download this tool to fix the issue,  launch this software on you computer> navigate to System Repair>choose Device Bug > select Standard Repair > then follow the on-screen prompts to proceed until you see Repair Completed screen. Congrats!

Part 5: FAQs on iPhone Sleep Mode

Q1: What is the difference between do not disturb and sleep mode?

The main difference between “Do Not Disturb (DND)” and “Sleep Mode” lies in their purpose and functionality. DND is a general feature designed to minimize distractions by silencing notifications, calls, and alerts at any time, with customizable settings for specific scenarios like meetings or driving. In contrast, Sleep Mode is specifically designed to support your bedtime routine. It typically integrates with health apps to track sleep habits, dims your display, and enables features like bedtime reminders or wake-up alarms, while automatically activating DND to ensure an uninterrupted rest. While DND is for anytime quiet, Sleep Mode focuses on creating a restful environment during your scheduled sleep hours.

Q2: Does iPhone sleep mode silence calls?

Yes, “iPhone Sleep Mode” silences calls, but it depends on how it’s configured. When Sleep Mode is active, it automatically enables “Do Not Disturb”, which mutes calls, texts, and notifications by default. However, you can customize the settings to allow calls from certain people or repeated calls (in case of emergencies). To adjust these settings:

1. Go to “Settings > Focus > Sleep”.
2. Tap “People” to choose who can call or message you during Sleep Mode.
3. Enable “Allow Repeated Calls” if you want a second call from the same person within three minutes to bypass the silence.

By default, Sleep Mode silences all calls unless exceptions are set.

The Bottom Line

The guide introduces what is sleep mode on iPhone, how to place it to sleep mode, including use the Sleep/Wake button and Do Not Disturb feature in detail. For any further doubts, please let us know in the comments below.