How to Use StandBy on iPhone

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
You will need
iPhone running iOS 17 or later, MagSafe or Qi-certified wireless charger, iPhone stand

Step by step

  1. 30 sec

    Enable StandBy in System Settings

    Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to select StandBy. Toggle the StandBy switch to the ON position. Ensure the feature is active before placing your device on a charger.

    Note: StandBy requires your iPhone to be locked and charging to activate automatically.
  2. 15 sec

    Trigger StandBy mode

    Connect your iPhone to power using a MagSafe or Qi-certified wireless charger. Position the device on its side in a landscape orientation. Ensure the phone remains stationary and locked to initiate the display.

    Note: If using a standard Lightning or USB-C cable, you must prop the phone up physically at a tilt.
  3. 1 min

    Switch between StandBy screens

    Swipe left or right on the screen to switch between the three primary StandBy views: Widgets, Photos, and Clock. You can customize each view by long-pressing on the screen and authenticating with Face ID or your passcode.

    Note: The Widgets view allows you to stack multiple widgets; swipe up or down on the widget stack to change the active display.
  4. 45 sec

    Configure Night Mode settings

    Return to Settings > StandBy and tap Night Mode. Enable the Night Mode toggle to allow the display to shift to a soft red tone in low-light environments, preventing screen glare while you sleep.

    Note: Motion to Wake will keep the screen off until movement is detected nearby.
  5. 30 sec

    Manage Always-On display settings

    For devices with Always-On display capability, navigate to Settings > StandBy > Display. Set the Turn Display Off preference to 'After 20 Seconds', 'Never', or 'When Motion Is Away' to control when the screen dims or powers off entirely.

    Note: Selecting 'Never' ensures your StandBy widgets remain visible at all times.