How Screen Distance on iOS 17 will take care of your eyes

Along with the new iPhone 15 series, iPhone users have something else to rejoice about as well. The much-talked-about iOS 17 update is finally here. First announced at WWDC 2023, Apple’s latest operating system for its smartphones has been in the works for a while now.  

The update brings with it a host of handy new features for iPhone users, including contact posters, live voicemails, recording on FaceTime, the much-talked-about Check-in feature, and more. However, another lesser-known feature, and an extremely underrated one at that, is the new Screen Distance feature. Here’s why you may want to check it out. 

What the Screen Distance feature can do for you

Screen Distance, as the name suggests, warns users to hold their iPhones and iPads at an appropriate distance while using them. Ideally, one should hold their devices more than 12 inches away, as viewing at distances less than the same can lead to Myopia or near-sightedness. 

The moment the distance between the device and the user’s eyes is below 12 inches, the Screen Distance feature instantly sends an alert to them, prompting them to move their devices farther away. It does so by measuring the distance between the screen and the user’s eyes using integration with the TrueDepth front-camera system on iPhones and iPads, which is also used for unlocking them via the Face ID feature. 

ALSO READ: 10 iOS 17 features to look out for 

The Screen Distance feature is a boon for the aged and the young alike, helping the former reduce the strain on their eyes, and helping the young avoid any potential damage to their eyesight in the longer run. 

How to enable Screen Distance on iPhones

Once you have installed iOS 17 on your iPhone, follow the steps mentioned below to enable the Screen Distance feature- 

1. Open the settings menu, and find the ‘Screen Time’ menu

2. Over here, find and select the Screen Distance option.

3. On the welcome screen which pops up following the previous step, select “Continue”

4. On the next page, tap on “Turn on Screen Distance”

5. Following this, turn on the toggle for the Screen Distance feature, and you’re all set!

Once enabled, the Screen Distance feature will send users a warning saying “iPhone is Too Close” whenever they hold their device too close. As soon as it is moved farther than the safe distance of 12-inches, a checkmark appears on the screen, following which users can tap on the “Continue” button to keep using their device. 

What devices will get the Screen Distance feature

Apple has confirmed that the Screen Distance feature, in addition to the newly launched iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, will also be available on the iPhone X series, the iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 and 13 series, as well as the iPhone 14 series. 

In addition to this, the feature will also be available with the third and later generations of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch model, as well as the 11-inch iPad Pro.