Since iOS 17, you can turn your iPhone’s lock screen into a Smart Home display with Standby. When the iPhone is not in use and is charging horizontally, for example on a MagSafe modethe device can show additional information.
On the screen you see a clock, widgets, memories, upcoming calendar events, weather information, notifications, HomeKit devices and more. This makes it perfect for use in your smart home. Unfortunately, this feature is not yet available for iPad.
Standby for iPhone
When your iPhone is charging, it is hardly used, and that is a shame. For that reason, Apple has introduced Standby for iOS 17 or later.
The feature turns your iPhone into a smart screen with digital clock and widgets. This means you can use it as a night clock next to your bed, an information screen in the kitchen or as a smart home display in the living room. You can determine the layout of the screen and choose the widgets yourself.
In addition to the clock, you will also see all kinds of widgets on the display. This includes looks back for photos, upcoming calendar events, stock price, weather information, notifications, HomeKit devices and more. Third-party apps can also show information on the standby screen.
Activate standby
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Navigate to ‘Standby’
- Enable the option of the same name
To use the function, you must charge your iPhone horizontally, for example on a MagSafe mode. The function is automatically activated and additional information is displayed.
Multiple views
Standby has three views: full-screen clock, photos and widgets. You can adjust the display by swiping left or right across the screen during standby. This will be remembered until you adjust it again.
Standby active for 20 seconds
To display standby you have to tap the screen, but not if you have an iPhone 14 Pro (Max) or iPhone 15 Pro (Max). This device has an always-on screen and will always display a dimmed version of the standby screen. Starting from iOS 17.1, users of these devices can choose to turn off the screen after 20 seconds in the Standby settings. Just like with other devices, you have to activate the function manually by tapping the screen.
Customize standby widgets
To change the widgets of the standby display, you must first activate the display by charging the iPhone horizontally. The widget screen is in two sections and contains two stacks of widgets. Place your finger on the screen to adjust the stack.
Then, just like with the widgets on the home screen, you can remove the widgets or add new ones via the plus button. You can also perform smart rotation and enable or disable widget suggestions. Repeat this for both piles.
Of course, you can also adjust the full-screen clock and photo display in the same way. For example, you can choose from different clocks and for photos you can choose to only show nature photos from your own photo library, for example.
Enable widget suggestions
It is advisable to enable widget suggestions, this will automatically show relevant widgets during standby display. Smart rotation is also a useful option so that the selected widgets automatically appear at the desired times.
Activate night mode
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Navigate to ‘Standby’
- Enable the ‘Night mode’ option
When this option is enabled, standby is displayed with a red tint in low ambient light. This way you can use the display during the night.
Always-on screen
To display standby you have to tap the screen, but not if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro. These devices have an always-on screen and will always display a dimmed version of the standby screen. With the other models you have to activate this manually by tapping the screen. Unfortunately this cannot be adjusted.
Live Activities and Notifications
Of course, standby is fully optimized for Live Activities and notifications. These are displayed on the screen in a stylish way. You can disable receiving notifications via Settings â–¸ Standby â–¸ show notifications. Naturally, focus takes into account whether or not notifications are received.