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.
You may have tried this feature recently and may have noticed that the screen turns off automatically. Something you wouldn’t expect from a standby function. Anyone who owns an iPhone Pro with an always-on screen will benefit from the full functionality.
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.
Dims automatically
To display standby you have to tap the screen, but not if you have an iPhone 14 Pro (Max) or iPhone 15 Pro (Max). These devices have an always-on screen and will always display a dimmed version of the standby screen.
This is because these devices have a screen with a dynamic refresh rate (1 to 120hz). When the screen is not in use, the refresh rate will be reduced to 1 refresh per second, which relieves the GPU and consumes very little energy.
Despite the fact that an iPhone is charging, Apple has chosen to completely turn off the screen on other iPhone devices. This is to relieve the burden on the GPU and the screen and, for example, to prevent burn-in on OLED screens.
Standby active for 20 seconds
Starting in iOS 17.1, users of an iPhone Pro with an always-on screen can choose to turn off the screen after 20 seconds in the Standby settings. Just like with other devices, you have to manually activate the display again by tapping on the screen.