The duration a mobile device screen remains active before automatically turning off and initiating the lock screen is a configurable setting within the Android operating system. For example, a user may set this delay to 30 seconds, after which the screen will darken and the device will require authentication to be used again.
This setting is important for both power management and security. A shorter duration conserves battery life by reducing the time the screen is illuminated unnecessarily. Furthermore, it provides a security measure by automatically locking the device after a period of inactivity, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data if the device is left unattended. Its development has mirrored that of mobile security features, evolving from simple timeouts to more granular and customizable options.