Configuring StandBy in iOS 17 allows you to transform your iPhone into a smart display when it's charging and oriented horizontally, offering a personalized and glanceable view of widgets, photos, or clocks.
Getting Started with StandBy Mode
StandBy mode automatically activates when your iPhone is placed horizontally and connected to power. It’s an ideal feature for a nightstand, desk, or kitchen counter, offering a quick way to view essential information.
Activating and Deactivating StandBy
StandBy mode is enabled by default in iOS 17. However, you can easily manage its activation if you wish to turn it off or ensure it's on.
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon on your iPhone's home screen.
- Scroll and Select StandBy: Scroll down through the settings options until you find StandBy and tap on it.
- Toggle Activation: You'll see a toggle switch next to StandBy. Tap it to turn the feature On or Off.
| Feature | Default State | How to Toggle |
|---|---|---|
| StandBy | On | Settings > StandBy |
Customizing Your StandBy Experience
Once StandBy is active, you can personalize its appearance and functionality directly from the StandBy screen or through the main iOS Settings. StandBy offers three main views: Widgets, Photos, and Clock. You can swipe left or right on the StandBy screen to switch between these views.
Widget View Customization
The Widget view is highly interactive, allowing you to display two widgets side-by-side. It also supports Smart Stacks, which automatically rotate widgets based on relevance throughout the day.
- Accessing Customization:
- Activate StandBy mode.
- Swipe to the Widget view.
- Long-press on either widget to enter editing mode. You may need to authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID or your passcode.
- Managing Widgets:
- Add Widgets: Tap the + icon in the top-left corner to browse and add new widgets.
- Remove Widgets: Tap the – icon in the top-left corner of an existing widget, then tap Remove Widget.
- Reorder Widgets: Drag widgets up or down in the list to change their order within a stack.
- Smart Rotate: Toggle Smart Rotate on or off for each stack. When enabled, your iPhone will automatically show the most relevant widget at the right time.
- Widget Suggestions: Toggle Widget Suggestions on or off to allow StandBy to suggest widgets based on your usage.
- Creating Smart Stacks: You can drag one widget on top of another in editing mode to create a Smart Stack, allowing multiple widgets to share the same space.
Photo View Personalization
The Photo view transforms your iPhone into a digital photo frame, displaying a rotating slideshow of your favorite pictures.
- Accessing Customization:
- Activate StandBy mode.
- Swipe to the Photo view.
- Long-press on the screen to enter editing mode.
- Selecting Albums:
- Tap the + icon in the top-left corner to choose specific photo albums from your Photos library (e.g., Favorites, People, Nature, or custom albums).
- Deselect albums you don't want to include.
- Tap Done to save your selections.
- Shuffle Photos: StandBy will automatically shuffle photos from your chosen albums.
Clock Style and Color
The Clock view provides various full-screen clock designs, perfect for a nightstand.
- Accessing Customization:
- Activate StandBy mode.
- Swipe to the Clock view.
- Long-press on the clock to enter editing mode.
- Changing Styles: Swipe left or right to browse five distinct clock styles:
- Digital: A classic large digital display.
- Analog: A modern analog clock face.
- World Clock: Displays multiple time zones.
- Solar: Shows time with a visual representation of the sun's position.
- Flip: A retro-style flip clock.
- Adjusting Accent Color: After selecting a style, tap the color circle at the bottom of the screen to choose your preferred accent color for the clock. This allows you to match the clock's appearance to your aesthetic.
Advanced StandBy Settings
Beyond the on-screen customizations, specific settings within the main iOS Settings app allow for further refinement of StandBy's behavior.
- Open Settings: Tap Settings > StandBy.
- Night Mode (Red Tint):
- Toggle Night Mode on to enable a red tint for StandBy in low-light conditions. This feature is designed to be easier on the eyes in the dark.
- Motion to Wake:
- Toggle Motion to Wake on to allow your iPhone's display to wake up and show StandBy when it detects motion nearby, even in low light. This is particularly useful for quickly glancing at information without touching your device.
- Show Notifications:
- Toggle Show Notifications on to allow notifications to appear on the StandBy screen. You can tap on a notification to view more details, though sensitive content will be hidden until you authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID or your passcode.
Tips for an Optimal StandBy Setup
- Stable Charging: Use a MagSafe charger or a stable charging stand that holds your iPhone horizontally. This is crucial for StandBy to activate reliably.
- Optimal Placement: Position your iPhone where StandBy is most useful, such as a bedside table, kitchen counter, or office desk.
- Privacy Considerations: If using StandBy in a public or semi-public space, consider turning off "Show Notifications" or ensuring "Show Previews" is set to "When Unlocked" in your general Notification settings to protect your privacy.
- Experiment with Widgets: Try different widget combinations in the Smart Stack to find what works best for your daily routine (e.g., Calendar and Reminders for productivity, Weather and Home controls for convenience).
StandBy offers a versatile way to make your iPhone more functional even when you're not actively using it, providing a personalized and always-on information hub.
