The Neverending Quest for Time: How to (Pretend to) Get Always-On Display on Your iPhone 13
Let's face it, folks. Checking the time on your iPhone 13 feels like pulling out a dusty sundial these days. Especially after watching all those fancy Android folks strutting around with their ever-present clocks. Well, fret no more, fellow iPhone 13 comrades! Because today, we're diving into the hilarious world of workarounds (because let's be honest, that's what this is) to achieve a semblance of always-on display glory.
But First, a Word From Our Sponsor: Reality
Before we embark on this whimsical journey, let's get something straight. As of today, iPhone 13 doesn't boast a true always-on display feature. Those fancy OLED screens on the iPhone 14 Pro and up get to play with that cool party trick, but for us? Not quite yet. But hey, who needs reality when we have creativity, right?
Workaround #1: The Name Game (Because Who Needs Sleep Anyway?)
This method involves some light customization and a healthy dose of pretending. Here's the plan:
- Head over to Settings > Clock.
- **Under "Digital Clock Style," pick a snazzy font that practically screams "Look at me!" We're talking big, bold, and beautiful.
- Now, here's the kicker: Change your Auto-Lock setting to something ridiculously short, like 30 seconds.
Now, whenever you tap your phone to wake it, the clock will be the last thing on the screen before it goes dark again. Voila! Almost-always-on display, achieved! (Except for those loooong stretches when you're, you know, sleeping.)
Workaround #2: Night Owl Nightlight (Because Your Phone Wants Attention Too)
This one's for the night owls who like a little company.
- Open the Settings app and navigate to Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Scroll down and toggle on "Auto-Brightness."
- Now, head over to Control Center and add the "Night Shift" shortcut.
With these steps complete, here's the plan:
- Whenever you want a little time-checking action, swipe down on your Control Center and activate Night Shift. The screen will dim and acquire a warm glow, giving the illusion of an always-on display while also reminding you it's probably past your bedtime.
- To deactivate this not-so-always-on display, just tap the Night Shift button again. Easy peasy!
Remember, Folks, It's All About Make-Believe
These methods might not be the real deal, but hey, they add a touch of fun and personalization to your iPhone 13. Just be prepared for some raised eyebrows when your phone "accidentally" stays on for a split second longer than usual. But who knows, maybe with enough creativity, we can manifest a true always-on display for the iPhone 13. Until then, keep calm and pretend on!
