When placed on a nightstand, work desk, or kitchen counter while charging, modern smartphones typically sit as blank, lifeless glass slabs. With iOS 17 and newer releases, Apple introduced StandBy mode, an intelligent full-screen display experience that activates whenever your iPhone is charging on its side in landscape orientation. StandBy turns your idle iPhone into a functional smart display, showing glanceable alarm clocks, weather forecasts, calendar appointments, family photo slideshows, and Siri live activities from across the room.
Requirements for Using StandBy Mode
StandBy is built into all iPhones compatible with iOS 17+ (iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and newer):
- Your iPhone must be connected to power via a MagSafe charger, Qi wireless stand, or a standard Lightning / USB-C cable.
- The iPhone must be resting securely on its side in horizontal landscape orientation at an upright or tilted angle.
- Note on Always-On Displays: On iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and newer models, StandBy stays illuminated continuously. On standard iPhone models without Always-On displays, StandBy turns off after 20 seconds and wakes smoothly with a gentle desk tap or motion.
How to Activate StandBy Mode
Triggering StandBy is completely automatic once connected to power:
- Plug your iPhone into a charger or place it on a wireless charging stand.
- Turn the phone horizontally into landscape mode and set it down.
- Lock your screen.
- After a brief moment, the StandBy screen will illuminate automatically.
How to Customise the Three StandBy Views
StandBy features three distinct dashboard screens that you can swipe between horizontally:
- Widget View (Default): Displays two interactive widget stacks side-by-side. Swipe vertically on the left or right side to cycle through different widgets (Analog Clock, Calendar, Weather, Reminders, Stocks). Press and hold any widget to enter jiggle mode and add new widgets via the “+” icon.
- Photos View: Swipe left to access a dynamic digital photo frame. Apple’s neural engine automatically highlights your best memories, nature shots, and pet portraits. Swipe vertically to browse different album categories.
- Full-Screen Clock View: Swipe left again to reveal large, stylized full-screen clocks (Digital, Analog, World Clock, Solar, and Float). Swipe up or down to cycle through clock designs, and tap the small white circle to customize accent colours.
Enabling Night Mode for Bedside Sleep
To prevent bright light from waking you at night, go to Settings > StandBy > Night Mode. When ambient lighting drops in a dark bedroom, StandBy automatically shifts its entire display to a soft, low-intensity monochrome red tint that preserves your night vision.