How to Use StandBy Mode on iPhone for a Clock and Widgets
StandBy turns a charging iPhone into a small information display. When the phone is placed on its side in landscape orientation, it can show a large clock, photo slideshow, calendar, weather, battery status, or other supported widgets. This makes it useful on a bedside table, desk, kitchen counter, or office shelf.
The feature arrived with iOS 17 and works on compatible iPhone models running iOS 17 or later. Your iPhone must be connected to power and positioned horizontally while it remains relatively still. A MagSafe stand is convenient, but any stable charging stand or support can work.
StandBy is easy to use once the basic gestures make sense. The main screen uses two widget panels, while separate views are available for full-screen clocks and photos. You can switch between these layouts, adjust their appearance, and control what appears when notifications arrive.
Check Your iPhone and Charging Setup
First, update your iPhone by opening Settings, selecting General, and tapping Software Update. StandBy is supported on iPhone models compatible with iOS 17, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and newer models. The exact appearance can vary by model and iOS version.
Connect the iPhone to a charger, then place it on its side with the display facing you. A horizontal MagSafe charger is the most reliable arrangement because it holds the phone at a useful viewing angle. A wired charger also works if the phone is supported securely and does not slide flat.
The display may take a moment to appear. If nothing happens, make sure the phone is locked, charging, positioned in landscape orientation, and not being moved. StandBy is designed to activate when the iPhone is stationary, so holding it in your hand or repeatedly shifting its position can prevent the screen from settling into the mode.
Open Settings and select StandBy to review the available controls. You can turn the feature on or off, enable Night Mode, allow Motion to Wake, and decide how notifications are shown. Some options differ slightly according to the iPhone model and the version of iOS installed.
Move Between Clocks, Photos, and Widgets
When StandBy appears, the default view usually shows two side-by-side widget panels. Swipe left or right across the screen to move between the main widget view, full-screen clock styles, and photo displays. Swiping vertically within a particular area changes the available style or widget stack.
The widget view is especially useful because it can show two types of information at once. For example, one side can display the time and date while the other shows the weather or battery level. The panels can be customized independently, so they do not need to contain matching widget types.
The full-screen clock view focuses on a large time display. Swipe up or down to browse different clock designs, including digital and analog-inspired styles. Depending on the selected design, you may be able to change the color or accent palette by tapping and holding the display.
Photos use images from selected albums or featured photo categories. Swipe vertically to browse through photo collections when that option is available. If you prefer a simple bedside display, the clock view may be less distracting than a rotating photo slideshow.
These layouts serve different purposes. A widget arrangement provides quick information, a large clock is easier to read from across a room, and photos make the iPhone function more like a small digital frame. Switching between them only takes a swipe, so you can choose the view that fits the moment.
| StandBy layout | Best use | What it displays |
|---|---|---|
| Two widget panels | Desk or kitchen counter | Time, calendar, weather, reminders, battery, and other widgets |
| Full-screen clock | Bedside table | A large digital or analog-style clock |
| Photo view | Living room or office | Images from selected photo collections or albums |
| Music and media view | Listening area | Playback controls and current media information |
| Notification display | Quick updates | Incoming alerts, with privacy options in Settings |
Customize the Clock Display
To edit a clock in StandBy, swipe to the full-screen clock view and touch and hold the display. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode if prompted. You can then browse clock styles and adjust the available color options.
The clock designs vary in layout and readability. Some use large numerals that are easy to see at night, while others include additional visual details. Choose a style that remains clear from the distance where you expect to view the phone. A decorative design may look attractive but be less practical on a bedside table.
Color choices can also affect visibility. Bright accents stand out during the day, while softer colors are more comfortable in a dark room. StandBy’s Night Mode can automatically shift the display toward red tones in low light, helping reduce the amount of blue light emitted by the screen.
When you find a style you like, tap Done to save it. You can return to the customization screen later and change the design without altering the other StandBy layouts. Your clock selection remains available until you replace it with another option.
If the display seems too dim, check the room lighting and the iPhone’s automatic brightness behavior. StandBy is intentionally subdued in dark surroundings. On iPhone models with an always-on display, the screen can remain visible more consistently; other models may turn the display off after a period and wake when the phone is tapped or detects movement.
Add Useful Widgets to StandBy
To customize widgets, remain on the two-panel widget screen and touch and hold one side of the display. Tap the plus button to add a widget, then browse by app or search for a specific widget. After selecting one, use the controls to arrange, remove, or replace widgets in that panel.
Apple and third-party apps can provide different widget options. Common choices include Calendar, Weather, Reminders, Home, Batteries, Stocks, and Clock. The exact list depends on the apps installed on your iPhone and whether those apps offer compatible widgets.
You can swipe vertically through widgets in a panel if more than one has been added. StandBy may also use Smart Rotate or Widget Suggestions to show a relevant widget automatically. Turn those features off if you want the screen to remain predictable, especially when using it as a clock overnight.
Choose widgets that provide useful information at a glance rather than filling every available space. Calendar and Reminders can help during a workday, while Weather and Batteries may be more useful in the morning. The Batteries widget can also show the charge level of connected accessories such as AirPods when they are recognized by the iPhone.
Some widgets support basic interaction. For example, a reminder may be marked complete directly from the widget, although certain actions may require unlocking the iPhone. If a widget appears blank or does not update, open its parent app and check that the app has permission to access the necessary information.
Control Photos, Music, and Notifications
The photo view can be adjusted by touching and holding the display while it is active. Depending on the available options, you can select categories such as Featured Photos, Nature, Cities, People, or a specific album. Avoid choosing a broad category if you want the screen to show only personal images.
StandBy can also show media controls when audio or video is playing. This is helpful when the iPhone is connected to a speaker because you can pause, resume, or skip content from the charging display. The controls generally appear when media is active and may disappear when playback stops.
Notifications are controlled from Settings > StandBy. You can allow notifications to appear or disable them entirely. If notifications are enabled, the Show Preview on Tap Only setting can help keep message content private until you deliberately tap the alert.
This matters when the iPhone is in a shared space. A notification may reveal the sender, subject, or part of a message from across the room. Disabling StandBy notifications, or requiring a tap to see previews, makes the display less likely to expose personal information.
You can also review notification permissions for individual apps under Settings > Notifications. StandBy follows the broader notification settings, so an app that is not allowed to send alerts will not use the charging display for notifications.
Make Night Mode and Motion Detection Work
Night Mode is designed for low-light environments. When enabled, StandBy adapts the display with a red tint and lower brightness. This can make the screen less disruptive beside a bed while preserving a readable time display.
Open Settings > StandBy and turn on Night Mode. The feature uses the iPhone’s ambient light sensor, so the change may not happen immediately if the room is still bright. Covering the sensor can produce an inaccurate result, and a case or stand should not block the top portion of the display.
Motion to Wake allows the screen to respond when movement is detected nearby. It can be convenient if you want to glance at the time without tapping the phone, but it may cause the display to wake when someone walks past the stand. Disable it if you want the display to remain quieter overnight.
The iPhone may still turn its screen off under certain conditions. StandBy is not intended to keep every compatible iPhone illuminated without interruption. Models with an always-on display generally provide the most clock-like experience, while other models often require a tap or movement to wake the screen again.
StandBy does not replace a dedicated alarm clock in every situation. Keep the iPhone connected to reliable power, confirm that alarms are set in the Clock app, and avoid placing the speaker against fabric or other surfaces that could muffle the alarm.
Fix Common StandBy Problems
If StandBy does not start, test the basic requirements in order. Confirm that the iPhone is charging, locked, in landscape orientation, and resting on a stable surface. Then check Settings > StandBy to make sure the feature has not been disabled.
A weak or incompatible charger can cause interruptions. Look for the charging symbol and test another cable, power adapter, or charging position. With MagSafe, remove accessories that prevent the phone from making a secure connection. A thick case or poorly aligned magnetic mount can stop charging and prevent StandBy from appearing.
If the widgets are missing, return to the widget customization screen and add them again. Some widgets need location access, calendar access, or notifications enabled before they can show useful information. Open the related app once, grant the required permission, and check the StandBy screen again.
When the clock is difficult to see, try a different clock design, adjust the color, and review Night Mode. Wiping the display and moving the phone away from direct light can also help. If the screen remains frozen, disconnect the charger, restart the iPhone, and test StandBy again after the phone has fully restarted.
For a dependable everyday setup:
- Use a stable landscape stand that keeps the screen visible from your normal viewing position.
- Choose one clock style with large, high-contrast numbers for overnight use.
- Add only the widgets you check regularly, such as Weather, Calendar, or Batteries.
- Turn on Night Mode and use tap-only notification previews in shared or dark spaces.
- Keep iOS and the relevant apps updated so widgets continue to load correctly.
StandBy works best when it is treated as a glanceable display rather than a second home screen. A simple clock, one useful information panel, and carefully controlled notifications can provide the benefits without creating visual clutter.
Set up the display for the place where you use it most, then spend a few minutes testing the clock, widgets, charging connection, and privacy settings. With the right stand and layout, an existing iPhone can become a practical bedside clock, desk dashboard, or compact media controller without installing a separate device.