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How to Use StandBy Mode on iPhone

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Check what turns StandBy on

    Connect your iPhone to a charging cable and lay it down horizontally, and the screen automatically switches into StandBy mode.

  2. Open the StandBy settings menu

    Go to the "StandBy" menu in the Settings app to see and adjust all of its related options in one place.

  3. Swipe left or right to switch widgets

    From the StandBy screen, swipe sideways to move freely between the clock, photo, and widget views.

  4. Set up the widgets you want

    Long-press a widget screen to enter edit mode, where you can add or rearrange widgets like weather, calendar, and timers.

  5. Turn on Night Mode

    In the "StandBy" settings menu, turn on "Show at Night" so the display dims and shifts to a red tone in dark rooms, reducing glare.

  6. Adjust how the screen wakes

    Set whether the display wakes on tap or stays on continuously, based on what suits how you use it, so information only shows when you actually need it.

Turning a charging iPhone into a smart display

StandBy mode turns an iPhone that's just sitting there charging into something closer to a smart display -- prop it up on a nightstand or a desk and you get an at-a-glance clock, photos, and widgets without unlocking the phone.

A stand or dock makes it much more useful

Since StandBy needs the phone charging and lying flat on its side, a simple stand or dock that holds it at an angle -- rather than flat on a table -- makes the display far easier to glance at from across a room or from bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does StandBy mode work without a charger?

No, StandBy mode only activates automatically while the iPhone is charging and turned to landscape orientation.

Does having StandBy mode on drain the battery faster?

Since it only runs while charging, it isn't something you need to worry much about for everyday battery life, though having the display on continuously can make charging slightly slower.