The iPad locks instead of showing ambient mode
Four checks, in order. Most families only need the first two.
HomeHQ keeps the screen awake itself, but only while it is open and, before ambient starts, only while the iPad is charging.
Check ambient mode is on, HomeHQ is on screen, and the iPad is plugged in.
Still locking? Set Auto-Lock to Never in the iPad's own settings.
Fixing it
- 1
Check ambient mode is on
In HomeHQ, Settings, then Display and ambient. If it is off, the iPad never switches over on its own and HomeHQ does not hold the screen awake while it waits.
- 2
Leave HomeHQ open
HomeHQ can only keep the screen on while it is the app on screen. If another app is in front, or HomeHQ is in Slide Over, the iPad locks normally.
- 3
Keep it plugged in
Before ambient mode starts, HomeHQ only keeps an iPad awake while it is charging. Unplugged, the iPad's own Auto-Lock can kick in first.
- 4
If it still locks, set Auto-Lock to Never
In the iPad's own Settings app: Display and Brightness, then Auto-Lock, then Never.
Still stuck? Send us a message. We reply within a day on weekdays.
Questions people ask.
Anything running iPadOS 18. Old iPads work fine for this, which is the point.
Yes, if it is unplugged. A screen that is always on is meant to stay on charge.
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