I have recently noticed that an IR sensor stays on throughout even when my display is turned off. Also I have every possible settings turned off like attention awareness, face I’d, raise to wake etc. yet it remains same. I don’t know the reason but all I know is it serves no purpose to be on when the display is off. Please enlighten me!
[Edited by Moderator]
Original Title: iPhone 16 IR Sensor
iPhone 16
There is no documentation that the IR sensor can be turned off at all. Here is some information Apple has provided:
About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support
The same question has been brought up before such as this one from 4 years ago. The comments then are basically the same that can be found here, as only Apple can answer "why" questions if they choose to do so. Apple has already made the statement that there is no concern from a safety standpoint.
Constant Infrared flashing - Apple Community
I think you have misinterpreted the picture as I haven’t clicked the photo using any flash light. Also I don’t know from where you studied that IR light is red coloured that’s absolutely false info. IR light is colourless, the camera recording it process it into a visible spectrum which vary from camera to camera that’s why you see the same light but different colours when recorded with different cameras. Also let’s talk about the main topic, the thing which I’m recording does emits an ir light and I also have a video of it. Even after turning off all the possible settings this things stays on (even when display is off) which serves absolute no purpose for it to be on. So ultimately I wanna know why this ir light stays on when the display is off? Any good reasons!?
I say it again all the settings like Face ID, attention awareness, Raise to wake etc. are turned off already yet the IR light stays on throughout even when the display is off. So now any known reason why this is so!? Cause I think this ain’t normal now, might be a bug.
Using Face ID is a subjective matter why are you even bothered if I turn it off. Also if all the features of that emitter are off then why the emitter still emits IR light even when display is off? What function it does when I already have the features turned off? I have used a Samsung device to record it.
I also don’t use any VR or AR apps. So try getting to the point again WHY THE EMITTER STAYS ON THROUGHOUT EVEN WHEN DISPLAY IS OFF?? Also I tested it with no interaction with the phone and I found out that it never stops emitting the IR light NEVER!
Will see what apple officials got to say about this. Me recording the ir light was just generous curiosity as i or any general consumer should know the purpose and the reason behind the tech which we use daily.
I can’t be provided with the explanation!? Apple should if I ask so why can’t they even explain their own tech which they build ? Or are there any secrets which apple is trying to hide? Definitely doesn’t makes sense, if a manufacturer is asked about explaining their product and it’s functions then they should be able to.
Will see what apple officials says about this if I find it unsatisfactory then I will definitely switch back to android as at least I could be able to customise it the way i want by having full control over the features and the functions I want.
Dn777 wrote:
I can’t be provided with the explanation!? Apple should if I ask so why can’t they even explain their own tech which they build ? Or are there any secrets which apple is trying to hide? Definitely doesn’t makes sense, if a manufacturer is asked about explaining their product and it’s functions then they should be able to.
They certainly are not obligated to reveal any aspects of their tech to you that are not required by law. They make the device and the software and it is your choice to use it or not. It makes no difference to any of us which device you choose.
I’m neither agreeing or disagreeing w/ you.
I only posted as-observed findings on older hardware running iOS 18 as a comparison.
I’m not “bothered” with you. Only requested clarification of your somewhat ambiguous “face I’d” in your opening post.
Suggest you follow the recommendations Mr. Donald has already provided.
As far as switching hardware, you should always use whatever product provides the best value to you.
Best of luck.
Just read the articles first. Calls with senior support and/or engineering are generally brief. Don’t expect lengthy discussions when you’re on the phone. If you miss the call, don’t expect a call back. If you want a lot of handholding on the topic, register to be an Apple Developer and you’ll be able to have much lengthy conversations. Good luck.
Hello friend, did you find the solution or it turned out to be completely normal? I saw another person on Reddit saying he visited Apple Store and all iPhones there had the same infrared light constantly on , i have iPhone 17 pro here same concern
If all the features related to that can be turned off but the emitter itself can’t be, then what purpose does it serves!? Tell me a function it does when on even during display is off
So you are agreeing that the emitter shouldn’t be on when display is off and what I’m experiencing is a bug.
So ultimately even you and apple don’t know why this emitter stays on when the display is off. Also I believe, I definitely don’t use any such apps that needs that emitter to be on all the time!
Corporations are allowed trade secrets. If their disclosures are not satisfactory, maybe switch to Samsung or Chinese cellphone. I’m sure they’ll both be more forthcoming.
IR sensor stays on when iPhone 16 display is off
