iPhone & iPad displays · iPad
Turn a compatible iPad into a desk clock
Put a spare iPad on your desk so you can see the time at a glance. Check that it can run the app, then adjust the clock for where you sit.
The short answer
Open Long Lasting Clock on an iPad running iPadOS 16 or later. Choose a clock face, adjust the size and brightness, and turn on Keep Screen Awake in the app’s settings. Leave the app open while you use it as a clock. Locking the iPad or switching to another app hides the clock.
What you need: An iPad with iPadOS 16 or later, plus the Long Lasting Clock app.
Long Lasting Clock is made by Long Lasting Apps, the publisher of this guide.
Compare your options
| Approach | A good fit when | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Your existing clock display | It is already readable and behaves the way you need. | Try it from your actual viewing position before adding an app. |
| iPhone StandBy | You have a compatible iPhone you want to use while charging. | StandBy is an iPhone feature. Use the iPad steps below for Long Lasting Clock. |
| Long Lasting Clock on iPad | You want an adjustable full-screen clock on a compatible iPad. | Leave the app open and turn on Keep Screen Awake in its settings. |
Check your iPad’s software version
Open the iPad’s Settings → General → About to see its iPadOS version. Check Long Lasting Clock’s compatibility in the App Store before downloading it.
Choose a display you can read
Place the iPad where you intend to use it, then check the time from your normal seated position. Adjust the size and brightness for that distance. Digits that look large in your hand may be too small across a room.
If you are considering a spare iPhone instead, Apple’s StandBy guide explains that charging display. Use the iPad steps below if you want to keep your phone free.
Set up a simple clock
- Long Lasting Clock
- Open Long Lasting Clock and start with the free Digital face in Midnight.
- Rotate the iPad to suit your stand. Tap the clock to reveal the quick controls.
- Use Size to adjust the digits. Check the result from your normal seated position, then choose whether to show the date and seconds.
- In Long Lasting Clock, open Settings → Display → Keep Screen Awake and turn it on.
- Return to the clock. Use the app’s Lock control if you want to hide the controls and prevent accidental adjustments.
If the controls are locked, touch and hold the clock for a little over a second to reveal them again. The app’s Lock prevents accidental control changes. It does not secure the iPad or stop someone from leaving the app.
Check that the screen stays on
Leave the app open during a normal desk session. Check that the display stays visible without touching it and that you can read the time from your seat. Keep a charger nearby for longer sessions and use a brightness that is comfortable in the room.
Keep Screen Awake works while Long Lasting Clock is open on the screen. It cannot keep the clock visible after you switch apps, lock the iPad or run out of battery.
For help with individual controls, see Help & Guides.
Check your result
- The time is readable from the place you normally sit.
- The clock stays visible without touching the screen while you use it at your desk.
- You can reveal the controls again after using the app’s Lock control.
If something does not work
Why does the screen go dark?
In Long Lasting Clock, check Settings → Display → Keep Screen Awake. Leave the clock app open on the screen. The iPad’s lock button still turns the screen off, and the clock cannot stay on when the battery runs out.
Where did the controls go?
Tap the clock. If you used the app’s Lock control, touch and hold the clock for a little over a second. Quick-control visibility can also be adjusted under Settings → Display.
Why does the clock stay in portrait?
Check the iPad’s orientation lock, then rotate the device. The app supports both portrait and landscape; Display settings also allow different clock sizes for the two orientations.
Can I use this as my wake-up alarm?
These steps turn the iPad into a clock you can look at. They do not set an alarm. If you need to wake up at a particular time, set and check an alarm separately.
Start with a clear, simple clock.
Try the free Digital face on a compatible iPad. Adjust it for the place you want to use it.