Apple introduced a unique feature with iOS 17—the StandBy mode and which will make your iPhone even smarter while it is charging. The tool turns your iPhone into a dynamic smart display when charging in a landscape position.

Whether you put it on your nightstand, desk, or kitchen counter, StandBy is here to give you glanceable information, whether it's the time, your photos, or interactive widgets. This article will guide you through everything you need to know to fully use and customize StandBy setting.

How to Activate Standby Mode

How to Use StandBy Setting on Your iPhone

To get started, activating StandBy is simple but requires your iPhone to meet a few key criteria. First, ensure that your iPhone is locked and placed on a MagSafe or Qi wireless charger, or a Lightning charger.

The iPhone needs to be in a horizontal (landscape) orientation and positioned at an angle, which typically means using a charging stand. When all conditions are met, StandBy will automatically turn on while your device is charging.

If StandBy is not turning on, go to Settings > StandBy and make sure the feature is turned on. Here you can turn it on or off and determine what mode activates when.

The Three Display Modes of StandBy Feature

StandBy was built to provide three separate screens, each designed to be best for different uses. You can swipe horizontally to switch between them.

Widgets Screen

The first screen features an interactive display of widgets. These come in stacks and can be used to present real-time information, including the weather, calendar events, reminders, and many others. It is possible to interact with widgets: checking off things on a to-do list or tapping to open up apps. Long-pressing the stack of widgets allows you to customize and add widgets as preferred.

Photos Screen

The second page is the slideshow of pictures from your Photos library. With StandBy mode, some memories and special moments will surface automatically or even be curtailed into custom albums.

Using the app, you'll easily determine which photos surface by picking specific albums, or themes like "Nature," "People," or "Pets." This is a very interactive page of the clock, as photos can be tapped to go forward or to change themes according to preference.

Clock Screen

Third to the screen is time but anything but ordinary. StandBy boasts several clock face styles in Digital, Analog, World, Solar, and Float; each with different layouts, though some even show additional information, like temperature or upcoming alarms.

For those who enjoy some variety, you can simply switch through different clock designs and adjust colors to fit what you want.

Night Mode: Keep It Mild at Night

StandBy has a feature called Night Mode, which automatically turns on if the room is dark. It will switch the display to a soft red tint so that nothing can be distracting at night. Night Mode is equivalent to Apple's Nightstand mode on the Apple Watch.

If you prefer that the display remains bright, you can turn off Night Mode by following these steps:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Go to Standby Mode.
3. Tap Display.
4. Turn Night Mode off.

Controlling Notifications, Live Activities, and Siri

When your iPhone is in StandBy mode, all notifications will be displayed in full-screen mode. For instance, should you receive a text, it will pop up, showing the sender's name and a preview of your message. However, in case you don't like to have full-screened notifications, you can make some adjustments in Settings > StandBy where you can turn the switch on Show Preview on Tap Only.

Live Activities and Siri commands also take over the screen in StandBy mode, providing real-time updates in a similar manner to notifications. StandBy will not show content that isn't related to notifications unless the device is unlocked via Face ID or Touch ID.

MagSafe Location Awareness

The one feature that, for sure, stands out here is MagSafe Location Awareness. Your iPhone will remember a different layout for different places.

Maybe you would want to have that clock screen on your nightstand and the widget screen on your desk. Then the iPhone will automatically turn up the right layout whenever you're charging in some particular location.

Troubleshooting StandBy Mode Issues

If StandBy mode is not turning on or staying on, here are a few things to check:

• Positioning: Your iPhone should be positioned correctly in a landscape orientation and not lying flat.
• StandBy Settings: Ensure the feature is turned on in Settings > StandBy Mode.
• Low Power Mode: Disable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery as it may interfere with StandBy remaining visible.
• Always-on Display: For iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro users, ensure that the Always-on display is enabled to have the continuous StandBy mode.

Maximize StandBy's Potential

StandBy mode in iOS 17 brings convenience and customization to a new level to your iPhone while it charges. It does not matter if you want to use your device as a digital clock, a photo slideshow, or even an interactive widget screen, StandBy is developed with a view to giving your iPhone more utility at a glance.

Its user-friendly customization will also make it possible to give personalization based on how you use your iPhone, the place, or wherever.