Keep your Android screen on

Change the screen timeout

Menu names vary by manufacturer. Two documented examples:

• Google Pixel: Settings > Display & touch > Screen timeout. Pixel phones also offer Adaptive timeout, which keeps the screen on while you are looking at it^[1].
• Samsung Galaxy: Settings > Display > Screen Timeout. Samsung states that the maximum is 10 minutes^[2].

On other brands, search the Settings app for “screen timeout” or “sleep”. Android does not offer a general “never” option, so for longer periods use one of the temporary methods below.

Battery saver can shorten it

On Pixel phones, Extreme Battery Saver drops the screen timeout to 30 seconds; standard Battery Saver does not change the timeout^[3]. Other manufacturers have their own power-saving modes with different rules. If your timeout keeps resetting, turn power saving off and check again.

Stay awake while charging (developer options)

Android's developer options include Stay awake, which keeps the screen on while the device is plugged in^[4]. To show developer options, tap Build number seven times (Pixel: Settings > About phone > Build number; Samsung: Settings > About phone > Software information > Build number).

Developer options contain settings meant for app development. Change only Stay awake, and turn it off again when you no longer need it. A permanently lit screen can cause burn-in on some displays.

Keep the screen on from the browser, without an app

Current Chrome and Firefox for Android support the Screen Wake Lock API. Open the keep-awake tool on the phone and press Start: the screen stays on while that tab is visible, then returns to normal when you stop. This is handy for recipes, reading or a dashboard, and it does not change any setting.

Using the phone as a mouse jiggler

The phone jiggler also keeps the phone screen awake while its pattern runs. If the phone still turns off, or the mouse stops moving, check brightness and battery saver as described in mouse jiggler not working.