Hints of iPhone 14 Pro Always-On Display Found in iOS 16 Code

Ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he expected the new iOS 16 operating system to support a future always-on display feature for the iPhone 14 Pro, and as it turns out, the iOS 16 code suggests the always-on display is indeed going to be implemented.

iOS 14 Always on Display Feature
There are multiple references to an always-on display in iOS 16, as highlighted by 9to5Mac. There are a trio of new frameworks related to backlight management, a necessary part of an always-on display function. The frameworks mention an always-on display and are used by the Lock Screen and Springboard, suggesting that these mentions are not related to the existing Apple Watch always-on display.

The site says that there are also hidden flags within iOS 16 that allow Apple engineers to use the always-on display capability for testing purposes.

An always-on display has been rumored since always-on technology came to the Apple Watch, and it is a highly desired feature. It would let users see the time and other key ‌iPhone‌ information without needing to activate the screen.

The ProMotion displays planned for the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max are rumored to be capable of dropping to as low as 1Hz (down from 10Hz) to enable the always-on functionality without deeply impacting battery life.

Always-on display technology is likely going to be limited to the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max because the standard ‌iPhone‌ 14 models are not expected to get the ProMotion displays necessary for the feature to work.

Related Forums: iOS 16, iPhone

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Two Breakthrough Features

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:26 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include two standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
amazon black friday

Amazon Kicks Off Black Friday Sale With Major Discounts on Apple Accessories, TVs, and More

Sunday November 23, 2025 7:12 am PST by
Black Friday deals have begun, and Amazon is one of the best places you can find steep discounts on numerous products this week. We've already collected all of the best Apple-related deals you'll find at Amazon (and other retailers) in our Apple Black Friday Deals post, so below you'll find other discounts on devices like Anker accessories, Beats headphones, video games, TVs, and more. Note:...

Top Rated Comments

tothemoonsands Avatar
45 months ago
I've always wanted my phone display to be on when it is in my pocket.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
45 months ago
It became clear once the new Lock Screen was unveiled. The customizable date, time and widgets are designed in line art, the more energy efficient type of drawing.

It's possible that notifications and Live Events will contain a line art version in the API so that developers can display sports scores at the bottom of the screen and update them as the event progresses or Uber can show an always on version of their Live Events widget, with the car status and license plate.

The lit up items will most likely be dimmer than the lead image of this article shows. It's probably going to look more like this:

Attachment Image
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
45 months ago
“My battery life gets killed using AOD” (mac rumors iphone forum 2023)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
45 months ago

“My battery life gets killed using AOD” (mac rumors iphone forum 2023)
Well... I'm sure you can just "Turn off" the feature. Another easy fix :)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2540497 Avatar
45 months ago
like my Apple Watch, I’ll turn it straight off for even better battery life
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
45 months ago
I'm glad. It has finally made its way. Always on Display for life. Won’t have to worry about missing a notification now. I just hope it does not kill the battery life.

Personally, I think they should add this feature on iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max too. But I get it... Apple wants you to upgrade and get a new iPhone this year.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)