Certain sounds that come from your smartphone are very distinctive.
The swoosh sound is a good indication that a text message or email was just sent, the “Reflection” ringtone is a telltale sound of an iPhone user getting a phone call, and the lock sound means that someone has locked or unlocked their device.
But if you are expecting to hear that sound coming from your iPhone and you aren’t hearing it then you may be wondering why.
You can turn on the iPhone 13 lock sound by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > then tapping the button next to Lock Sound to enable it.
Once you have turned on that setting you can start locking and unlocking your iPhone and you will get that auditory cue to let you know that the action has occurred.
Our how-to guide below provides more information on the iPhone’s lock sound, as well as how you can enable or disable it as needed.
What Does the Lock Sound Mean on My iPhone 13?
When you hear the lock sound on your iPhone, it means that the phone has been locked or unlocked.
Since the lock status of your phone is important for several reasons, it’s useful for you to be able to know when it has changed.
When the device is unlocked it means that anyone with physical access to it can view the information or use the apps on the device. It also means that it’s susceptible to pocket dials if it’s in your pocket or bag, and that the battery will drain more quickly because the screen is on.
If you hear the lock sound to let you know that the phone is locked it means that you will need to enter the passcode, use Face ID, or use Touch ID to unlock it. It also means that pocket dials are less likely and that the device is using less battery life because the screen isn’t on.
How to Enable Lock Sounds on an iPhone 13
- Open Settings.
- Choose Sounds & Haptics.
- Turn on Lock Sound.
Our guide continues below with more information on the iPhone 13 lock settings, including pictures of these steps.
How to Turn iPhone 13 Lock Sounds On or Off (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 13 in the iOS 15.3.1 operating system. These steps will also work on other iPhone models like the Mini, Pro, and Pro Max, as well as most other iPhone models and most other iOS versions.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Choose the Sounds & Haptics option from this menu.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap the button to the right of Lock Sound to turn it on or off.
The sounds are on when you see green shading around the button. I have them turned on in the picture below.
You can continue reading below for additional discussion about the iPhone 13 lock sound and other lock-related settings on the Apple smartphone.
More Information on the iPhone 13 Lock Sound
The lock sound is found on the Sounds & Haptics menu. This menu contains a lot of the other sounds that you might want to customize on your iPhone.
Directly above the Lock Sound button is one called “Keyboard Clicks.” When that is turned on you will hear a sound like the one you hear when typing on a computer keyboard.
This audible feedback can be useful and satisfying to some people, but it is very noticeable when you are in a public setting.
Regardless of whether or not you have keyboard clicks or lock sounds turned on, they won’t play if the device is muted. You can mute your iPhone 13 with the mute button on the left side of the device.
It’s possible for you to use your iPhone without a passcode lock or any kind of biometric ID. Although it is not recommended due to the amount of sensitive personal information that most people have on their phones, you can go to the Face ID & Passcode menu to adjust the locking settings on your phone.
If your iPhone is locking too quickly or not quickly enough, you can change the Auto-Lock setting. This is found at Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. The amount of time selected there indicates how long of a period of inactivity the iPhone will allow to pass before it locks itself.
Additional Sources
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
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