Skip to content

Device guide — Android

Keep your Android screen awake

Android's screen timeout often tops out at 30 minutes — and every manufacturer hides the setting somewhere slightly different. Here's the map, the hidden 'never' option, and the no-settings alternative.

Find the screen timeout setting

On most phones: Settings → Display → Screen timeout. On Samsung Galaxy devices it's the same path; on some Xiaomi/MIUI phones it sits under Lock screen instead. Note the maximum value — many devices offer 30 minutes at most, and no “Never”.

If your model supports it, you'll also see extras like Samsung's “Keep screen on while viewing” (the front camera notices you looking and resets the timer) — a decent middle ground that still dims the moment you look away.

The hidden “stay awake while charging” option

Android's developer options include Stay awake — the screen never sleeps while the device is charging. It's the cleanest way to build an always-on desk display from a spare phone or tablet:

  1. Enable developer options: Settings → About phone, tap Build number seven times.
  2. Open Settings → System → Developer options (on Samsung: Settings → Developer options).
  3. Turn on Stay awake.

The browser option — no settings, works anywhere

Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Samsung Internet on Android all support the Screen Wake Lock API, so this site works directly: tap the button and the screen stays on while this tab is visible. Useful when the timeout caps at 30 minutes, when the phone isn't charging (ruling out “Stay awake”), or when it's a work device you shouldn't reconfigure.

Android-specific gotchas

  • Battery optimization suspends backgrounded tabs. Aggressive savers (especially on some MIUI and OEM builds) freeze pages you've switched away from. The wake lock only holds in the foreground anyway — just don't expect the tab to run in the background; pin it in its own window on multi-window devices.
  • Battery Saver dims and shortens. When Battery Saver is active, Android reduces brightness and may tighten the timeout — toggle it off for long sessions.
  • Quick-setting “caffeine” tiles. Custom quick-tile apps can toggle an infinite timeout with one tap — a fine native alternative if you prefer an app over a browser tab.
  • AMOLED panels. As with any OLED screen, avoid a static bright image for many hours straight; drop brightness for all-day duty.

Screen timeout vs. lock timeout

On Android these are separate timers: the display can stay on while the lock engages later (or vice versa). If your goal is “don't make me unlock constantly”, look at Settings → Security → Screen lock → Auto-lock and Extend Unlock (on-body detection, trusted places) alongside the display timeout.