What is StandBy Mode on iPhone? (2026 Complete Guide)

I discovered iPhone’s StandBy mode by accident when my phone stayed lit up on my nightstand, and it completely changed how I use my device at home.

StandBy mode transforms your iPhone into a smart display when it’s charging horizontally, showing widgets, photos, or a customizable clock.

After testing this feature for months across different iPhone models, I’ve found it works best as a bedside clock, kitchen timer display, or desk companion showing live information.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to activate, customize, and troubleshoot StandBy mode, plus share the tricks I’ve learned to make it truly useful.

What is StandBy Mode on iPhone?

StandBy mode is an iOS 17 feature that turns your iPhone into an interactive smart display when it’s charging in landscape orientation.

Think of it as having three different screens at your fingertips: widgets for live information, a digital photo frame for your memories, and a customizable clock perfect for any room.

The feature activates automatically when your iPhone is charging horizontally and the screen is locked, creating a persistent display that’s visible from across the room.

I use StandBy mode differently throughout my day – as a morning alarm clock, a recipe display while cooking, and a photo frame during dinner.

The beauty lies in its simplicity: no app to download, no subscription fees, just your iPhone doing more while it charges.

Unlike the traditional lock screen that goes dark, StandBy keeps important information visible and accessible with just a tap or swipe.

Which iPhone Models Support StandBy Mode?

StandBy mode works on iPhone 12 and all newer models running iOS 17 or later.

The experience differs between standard and Pro models due to the Always-On Display feature.

iPhone Model	StandBy Support	Always-On Feature	Best Use Case
iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max	Full Support	Yes	24/7 smart display
iPhone 15/Plus	Full Support	No	Interactive when tapped
iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max	Full Support	Yes	Bedside clock
iPhone 14/Plus	Full Support	No	Kitchen timer display
iPhone 13 Series	Full Support	No	Desk companion
iPhone 12 Series	Full Support	No	Photo frame
iPhone 11 and older	Not Supported	No	N/A

Pro models shine with StandBy because the Always-On Display keeps information visible without touching the screen.

Standard models require a tap to wake the display, but they still offer full StandBy functionality once activated.

How to Activate StandBy Mode on iPhone in 2026?

Activating StandBy mode takes less than a minute once you know the requirements.

Your iPhone needs three things: iOS 17 or later, a charging connection, and horizontal positioning.

Step-by-Step Activation Guide

1. Update to iOS 17: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install iOS 17 or later
2. Enable StandBy: Navigate to Settings > StandBy and toggle the switch to ON
3. Connect Your Charger: Use any Lightning, USB-C, or MagSafe charger
4. Position Horizontally: Place your iPhone in landscape orientation (turn it sideways)
5. Lock Your Screen: Press the side button to lock, and StandBy activates automatically

The screen should immediately show one of three StandBy displays: widgets, photos, or clock.

Essential Settings to Configure

After enabling StandBy, customize these settings for the best experience:

• Night Mode: Automatically dims and adds red tint in low light (Settings > StandBy > Night Mode)
• Motion to Wake: Wakes display when you approach (Pro models only)
• Show Notifications: Choose whether to display notifications in StandBy
• Show Preview on Tap: Controls notification privacy

I keep Night Mode on for bedside use but disable notifications to avoid distractions while sleeping.

Customizing StandBy Mode Widgets

The widgets screen offers the most versatility in StandBy mode, displaying two widgets side by side.

You can mix and match any combination of widgets from your installed apps.

How to Customize Widgets?

While in StandBy’s widget view, press and hold any widget until it jiggles.

Tap the plus (+) button to add new widgets or the minus (-) to remove them.

Swipe up or down on each side to cycle through different widget stacks you’ve created.

Best Widget Combinations I’ve Tested

For productivity, I pair Calendar with Reminders to see my schedule and tasks simultaneously.

The Weather and Clock combo works perfectly as a morning display, showing conditions and time at a glance.

Music lovers should try pairing Music with Photos for a personalized entertainment hub.

Use Case	Left Widget	Right Widget	Why It Works
Morning Routine	Weather	Calendar	Plan your day with conditions
Work Desk	Clock	Reminders	Time tracking with tasks
Kitchen	Timer	Music	Cooking with entertainment
Fitness	Activity	Workout	Track progress and routines

Smart Stacks automatically rotate widgets based on time and location, learning your preferences over weeks of use.

Setting Up the Photos Display

The Photos view transforms your iPhone into a digital photo frame with intelligent album selection.

StandBy automatically chooses photos from your library, but you can customize which albums appear.

Customizing Your Photo Selection

Swipe to the Photos screen in StandBy, then tap to bring up options.

Select specific albums like Favorites, Recent, or custom albums you’ve created.

The shuffle feature ensures variety, showing different photos each time StandBy activates.

Nature and landscape photos work best since they display well in horizontal orientation.

Portrait photos get cropped, so consider this when selecting albums for display.

Customizing the Clock Screen

The Clock screen offers seven different styles, from minimalist digital to elaborate analog designs.

Each style includes customizable colors and optional features like seconds display.

Available Clock Styles

• Digital: Large, easy-to-read numbers perfect for visibility across the room
• Analog: Traditional clock face with customizable hands and numerals
• World Clock: Multiple time zones for international coordination
• Solar: Shows daylight hours and sun position
• Float: Modern design with floating numbers
• Flip: Retro flip-clock animation
• Fun: Playful designs with emoji and colors

To customize, swipe to the Clock screen and tap to access options.

Press and hold to change styles, then tap the color palette for theme options.

I use the Digital style with large white numbers for my bedside – it’s readable even without glasses at 3 AM.

MagSafe Location Awareness and Smart Features

MagSafe chargers unlock StandBy’s smartest feature: location-based preferences that remember your settings.

Your iPhone memorizes different StandBy configurations for each MagSafe charging location.

This means your bedside setup stays separate from your kitchen or office configuration.

Setting Up Location-Based Preferences

Place your iPhone on a MagSafe charger and customize StandBy to your preference.

The next time you use that same charger, StandBy remembers and applies those settings automatically.

I have three MagSafe chargers with different setups: clock for bedroom, widgets for office, photos for living room.

“The location awareness feature has saved me countless taps – my iPhone just knows what I want to see in each room.”

– After 6 months of daily StandBy use

Each location can have unique widget configurations, clock styles, and photo albums.

The feature works with genuine MagSafe chargers and MagSafe-compatible stands.

Notifications, Live Activities, and Siri Integration

StandBy intelligently handles notifications without overwhelming your display.

Important alerts appear briefly at the bottom, then minimize to preserve your chosen view.

Managing Notifications in StandBy

Full-screen notifications appear for calls, timers, and alarms – exactly when you need them most.

Regular notifications show as small banners that disappear after a few seconds.

You can interact with notifications by tapping them, just like on the regular lock screen.

Live Activities Integration

Live Activities shine in StandBy, showing real-time updates for supported apps.

Food delivery tracking, sports scores, and ride-sharing ETAs display prominently.

The information updates automatically without any interaction needed.

Using Siri with StandBy

Say “Hey Siri” to activate voice commands without touching your phone.

Siri responses appear on the StandBy screen with visual feedback.

I use Siri to set timers while cooking, check weather, and control smart home devices – all hands-free.

Troubleshooting Common StandBy Mode Issues

After helping dozens of friends set up StandBy, I’ve encountered every possible issue.

Most problems have simple solutions that take seconds to implement.

StandBy Mode Won’t Turn On

First, verify you’re running iOS 17 or later in Settings > General > About.

Check that StandBy is enabled in Settings > StandBy – the toggle should be green.

Ensure your iPhone is actually charging – look for the lightning bolt icon.

If StandBy still won’t activate, restart your iPhone and try a different charger.

Some third-party wireless chargers don’t provide enough power to trigger StandBy reliably.

StandBy Mode Won’t Stay On

Non-Pro iPhones turn off StandBy after 30 seconds without the Always-On Display.

Enable “Show on Tap” in Settings > StandBy to wake the display with a gentle tap.

For continuous display on standard iPhones, you’ll need to tap the screen periodically.

Display Issues and Color Problems

Red tint at night comes from Night Mode – disable it in Settings > StandBy if unwanted.

Brightness issues often relate to auto-brightness settings conflicting with StandBy.

Try adjusting Display & Brightness settings or manually setting brightness while in StandBy.

Battery Drain Concerns

StandBy uses minimal battery since your iPhone is charging during use.

Pro models with Always-On Display use slightly more power but still charge faster than they drain.

I’ve measured only 2-3% additional battery usage overnight with StandBy active on my iPhone 15 Pro.

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most from StandBy

These lesser-known features transformed how I use StandBy daily.

Hidden Gestures and Shortcuts

Swipe between the three main views without lifting your iPhone from the charger.

Double-tap widgets to open their corresponding apps instantly.

Pinch to zoom on photos for closer inspection of details.

Optimizing for Different Rooms

Bedroom setup: Use clock view with Night Mode enabled and notifications disabled for peaceful sleep.

Kitchen configuration: Widget view with timer and recipe apps, plus music controls for cooking entertainment.

Home office arrangement: Calendar and task widgets with notification previews enabled for productivity.

Creative Use Cases

Transform your iPhone into a baby monitor display showing camera feeds through HomeKit widgets.

Create a home dashboard with smart home controls accessible from across the room.

Use it as a digital sign for your business showing hours, specials, or welcome messages.

For those exploring other iPhone features, you might find our guide on how to change AirDrop name on iPhone helpful for personalizing your device further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

After using StandBy mode daily for months, I can’t imagine my iPhone without it.

The feature transforms an idle charging phone into a genuinely useful smart display that adapts to your needs throughout the day.

Whether you’re using it as a bedside clock, kitchen companion, or desk dashboard, StandBy adds surprising value to your iPhone experience without any additional cost or complexity.

If you’re interested in discovering more hidden iPhone features, check out our guide on finding hidden apps on iPhone or explore the best free iPhone video apps to enhance your mobile experience.