In this article, I’ll explain why you are getting “iPhone is too close” warning in iOS 17 on iPhone and show you how to fix the problem.
In iOS 17, a "Screen Distance" feature will send notifications if you hold your iPhone or iPad Pro too close to your eyes for prolonged durations. According to Apple, this optional feature aims to alleviate overall eye strain and decrease the likelihood of nearsightedness in children who frequently use Apple devices. Unfortunately, a ton of users have reported that they are getting the “iPhone is too close” popup in iOS 17 repeatedly even when holding the device at a safe distance. If you are also facing this issue, check out these 10 Troubleshooting steps to fix “iPhone is too close” issue.
Before we start troubleshooting, let’s briefly discuss why this issue occurs in the first place!
Why am I Getting “iPhone is Too Close” Warning?
The Screen Distance feature aims to reduce eye strain and the risk of myopia in children. iPhone will warn when you have the device closer to your eyes for a prolonged period. Ideally, the sensible distance between your iPhone and your eyes should be 16-18 inches. Screen Distance uses the iPhone or iPad’s TrueDepth camera to detect when you are holding the device closer than 12 inches for an extended period of time, after which it will issue a warning to move away. Therefore, whenever you see the ‘iPhone is too close’ message, that means you are holding your phone too close to your face and you should avoid it in order to safeguard your vision.
How to fix “iPhone Is Too Close” in iOS 17 on iPhone
1. Screen Distance Supported iPhone and iPad Models
The Screen Distance feature is only available on iPhone and iPad with Face ID.
List of iPhone models that Support Screen Distance
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
List of iPad Models that are Compatible with Screen Distance
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
2. Maintain the Required Distance
If you are receiving a warning saying ”iPhone is Too Close” regularly, the chances are high that you are not holding your iPhone at a required distance. As per Apple’s guidelines, you should maintain a distance of 40-45cm (or 16-18 inches) between your iPhone and your eyes. Once the Screen Distance feature is enabled, it will issue a warning labeled ”iPhone is Too Close” if the distance falls below 30cm (12 inches).
When you adjust your iPhone to a safe distance, a checkmark will appear on the screen, allowing you to tap "Continue" and resume normal operation. Alongside the Screen Distance warning, Apple will display a message stating, "Keeping your phone at arm’s length can protect your eyesight." So, try to maintain the required distance while using your iPhone.
3. Increase the Text Size for Improved Legibility
If you are having difficult time comfortably viewing or reading what’s on the display because of which you have to keep your phone close to your face, increase the text size to improve legibility.
to make iPhone text larger, all you need to do is head over to the Settings app, tap ’Display & Brightness,’ scroll down the page, and then tap ’Text Size.’ This page then shows example text at the top and a slider at the bottom. Just tap on the circle toggle in the middle and drag it to the right to increase the text size. After finding the size that looks best, go home, and it’ll be applied across the entire interface.
If the largest text size isn’t enough, you can also head over to the Settings app and tap on ’Accessibility,’ then ’Display & Text Size,’ and then ’Larger Text.’ On this page, tap the toggle next to ’Larger Accessibility Sizes’ to see additional text size options for even greater readability.
In addition to increasing the text size, there are a couple of other useful tools on the Display & Brightness page that can also be quite useful. Right below the Text Size button is something called ’Bold Text.’ Just tap the toggle next to it, and all text on the iPhone will become much bolder — making it stand out and easier to read at a glance.
Below the Bold Text option is another setting worth using, called ’Display Zoom.’ Tap the ’View’ button below it to choose between two interface layouts for the iPhone: Standard or Zoomed. Standard is used by default, which shows more content on the screen at once but at a smaller size. Zoomed shows less content, but it increases the size of icons, notifications, controls, and other elements to make the font larger and buttons easier to press. Changing the Display Zoom does require restarting the iPhone, but it’s absolutely worth using as another means of making an iPhone more functional in day-to-day use.
4. Make Sure The TrueDepth Camera is Not Covered
Your iPhone or iPad uses the front-facing TrueDepth camera for Screen Distance feature. So, one of the biggest reasons why the Screen Distance feature is not working properly on your iPhone/ iPad Pro is that users unknowingly cover the TrueDepth camera. It might be the screen protector you are using, a screen replacement, or the sensors might be dirty and covered with dust.
Remember to make sure the top of your iPhone or iPad is completely clean and clear, otherwise Screen Distance feature might not work properly! First, grab a microfiber cloth and wipe off the area at the top of your iPhone’s display. Then, make sure your case isn’t obstructing the TrueDepth camera if you are repeatedly getting the "iPhone is too close" popup even when holding the device at a safe distance.
5. Check for Software Updates
If you are still receiving ’iPhone is Too Close’ warning, make sure you are running the latest version of iOS. Apple often releases bug fixes via new software updates, and you should update your iPhone as soon as the updates roll out. To check if you have a software update or not, open the Settings app and go to General -> Software Update and tap on the "Download and Install" button if an update is available.
6. Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone or iPad is a quick fix for a minor software glitch that could be the reason why the Screen Distance feature is not working properly. Simply shut the device off, wait one to two minutes, and then turn it back on again.
To restart your iPhone, hold down the Side button and either of the volume buttons until you see the option to switch off your iPhone.
Once your iPhone is switched off, press and hold on the Side button until the Apple logo appears and wait for your phone to turn on. In more than 50% of the cases where the Screen Distance feature is not working, this simple method should solve the problem.
7. Reset Face ID
The Screen Distance feature uses the same TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID to measure the distance between the screen and your eyes. So, if none of the above solutions have worked for you, the next thing that you can do is reset Face ID and set it up again. More often than not, it gets rid of the "iPhone is Too Close" warning. Thus, I would recommend you to go for the reset. To do that, open the Settings app, tap on Face ID & Passcode, and then tap on "Reset Face ID".
8. Turn OFF/ON Screen Distance
Our next software troubleshooting step when your device says "iPhone is Too Close" is to turn off/on Screen Distance and reboot the device. If the Screen Distance is not working because of a software bug, resetting the feature should fix the problem.
- On your iPhone or iPad with Face ID running iOS 17, open the Settings app
- Choose Screen Time now look below and tap Screen Distance.
- Turn off the switch next to Screen Distance.
- Next, restart your iPhone. Once the device has rebooted, go back to the Screen Time setting and then turn on the toggle next to Screen Distance.
9. Reset Your iPhone Settings
If the feature is not working due to a software glitch, resetting your iPhone or iPad may be enough to resolve the issue.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Select Reset All Settings.
- Enter your device passcode and confirm.
10. Erase and Factory Reset Your iPhone
If none of the above solutions help, consider factory resetting your iPhone or iPad. This will erase everything, including apps, photos, settings, and all other data on the device. Therefore, back up your iPhone or iPad first, just in case. Once the reset completes, you can set up the device as new or restore your iPhone from a backup saved in iCloud or your computer.
- Open the Settings app.
- Choose General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content & Settings.
Fixed ‘iPhone is Too Close’ in iOS 17 Problem..!
As you can see, the solutions to the "iPhone is too close" issue are pretty simple. From what I can tell from my experience, the Screen Distance feature works quite reliably in most cases. Whenever I encounter any problems, these quick fixes often come to my rescue. So, I hope they work in fixing the Screen Distance problem on your iPhone as well.
If nothing solves the problem, you should get your iPhone checked by an authorized Apple service center at the earliest. If you have any doubts or any other handy tips to fix the issue, do let us know in the comments section below.