Raise to Wake on iPhone is the setting that makes shows your lock screen when you just lift your phone. This guide explains how Raise to Wake works and how to enable or disable it.
What Is Raise to Wake and How Does It Work?
Raise to Wake is an iOS feature that makes the iPhone’s screen light up when you lift the device, so you’re ready to use it without pressing or tapping any buttons.
This allows you to quickly access information found on your lock screen, like the time, date, or notifications. It’s also a quick source of light if you happen to be in a dark room.
For Raise to Wake to work properly, the iPhone relies on accelerometer and gyroscope sensors. The accelerometer detects changes in motion and orientation, like when you pick up your iPhone from a table or take it out of your pocket. The gyroscope senses the orientation and rotation, which helps it determine if you’re raising the iPhone or some other motion.
When you move your iPhone in such a way that suggests you want to use it, these sensors work together to detect this action.
This is the same technology that makes your iPhone’s screen rotation work properly.
How to Enable or Disable Raise to Wake on iPhone
The Raise to Wake feature is turned on by default. If you decide to disable (or re-enable) this feature, you can do so in the Settings app.
- Unlock your iPhone and tap the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness.
- Next, toggle the slider next to Raise to Wake to enable or disable the feature. If the slider is green, it’s enabled. If gray, it’s disabled.
The next time you pick up your iPhone when it’s asleep, it will respond appropriately.
Slight Drawbacks of the Raise to Wake Feature
Raise to Wake is a slick feature, and I personally keep it enabled for quick access to my notifications. But there are times when it can be a bit of an annoyance.
For example, you could be in a dark environment where having your phone light up could be annoying and distracting to those around you. If you’re going to watch a movie in a theater, you may want to disable Raise to Wake as a courtesy to those around you.
Another issue could be an invasion of privacy. If you lift your iPhone, your notifications are exposed. If you have a personal notification you may want to hide, someone may get a quick glance, whether intentional or not.
These may seem like non-issues because those of us who are always aware would know not to take out our iPhones in these situations. But, most of us aren’t always 100% aware and alert, and are programmed to constantly check our phones.
Waking Up With a Lift
Raise to Wake is a neat feature on the iPhone, and is in many ways an improvement of the Tap to Wake feature. Having a way to quickly glance at notifications and the time certainly has its obvious benefits.
Regardless, be sure to remain conscious of your surroundings, to protect your own privacy and to refrain from distracting others.
