How to Activate iOS StandBy Mode: A Detailed Guide

iOS 17 introduced a fantastic new feature called StandBy mode, transforming your iPhone into a smart display when charging and in landscape orientation. This mode provides glanceable information like widgets, photos, clocks, and more, making your iPhone useful even when it’s not in active use. If you’re new to iOS 17 or haven’t quite figured out how to activate StandBy, this detailed guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

What is StandBy Mode?

StandBy mode essentially turns your iPhone into a smart hub while it’s charging and placed horizontally. It presents various screens featuring information, tailored to your preferences. You can easily swipe between different screens, allowing you to see:

• Widgets: Check your calendar, weather, reminders, and more.
• Photos: Display a rotating gallery of your favorite pictures.
• Clocks: Choose from a variety of stylish clock faces.
• Smart Stacks: Automatically rotating collections of widgets you use the most.
• Live Activities: Track ongoing events or deliveries at a glance.

How to Activate StandBy Mode

Activating StandBy mode is straightforward, but it requires a few conditions to be met:

1. iOS 17 or Later: Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 17 or a later version. You can check this by going to Settings > General > About > Software Version. If you need to update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Charging: Your iPhone must be connected to a power source, either wired or wireless charging.
3. Landscape Orientation: The iPhone must be placed horizontally, either on its side or in a charging stand.
4. Lock Screen: The iPhone screen must be locked. This means you won’t see StandBy mode if your screen is active or the phone is unlocked.

Detailed Steps:

Once you’ve met these prerequisites, follow these specific steps:

1. Connect to Power: Plug your iPhone into a charger, whether it’s a USB-C cable or a wireless charging pad.
2. Place in Landscape Orientation: Ensure your iPhone is laying on its side (either direction works).
3. Lock Your Screen: If the screen is not already locked, press the power button to lock it.
4. Wait for StandBy Mode: After a brief moment (usually a second or two), your iPhone should automatically switch to the StandBy interface. You may see a quick animation indicating that StandBy has activated.

Note: If StandBy doesn’t activate, ensure all the conditions above are met and try again. Also, some settings might be affecting its behavior (see “Customizing StandBy Mode” below).

Navigating StandBy Mode

Once you’re in StandBy mode, you can navigate using simple gestures:

• Swipe Left or Right: Swipe horizontally to switch between different screens (widgets, photos, clocks, etc.).
• Swipe Up or Down (On some screens): On some screens, like the widget or clock screens, you might see additional options or collections by swiping vertically.
• Tap: Tap on a widget or item to interact with it (e.g., starting a timer or playing a song).

Customizing StandBy Mode

You can customize how StandBy mode behaves through your iPhone’s settings:

1. Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap StandBy: Scroll down until you find the “StandBy” option, and tap it.
3. Adjust Settings: You can configure various options within the StandBy menu, including:
• Toggle StandBy: Turn StandBy mode on or off.
• Night Mode: Automatically turn StandBy to a reddish hue in low-light conditions.
• Motion to Wake: Activate StandBy when motion is detected near the device.
• Notifications: Choose if you want to display notifications on the StandBy screen.
• Siri: Enable or disable Siri interaction when your iPhone is in StandBy mode.

Troubleshooting

If StandBy mode isn’t working as expected, here are a few things to try:

• Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can resolve many issues.
• Check Your Settings: Make sure StandBy is enabled in the Settings app, as outlined above.
• Ensure Your Software is Updated: Outdated software can cause issues.
• Try different orientation or surfaces: Ensure your device is correctly positioned in landscape mode, and not obstructed.

Conclusion

iOS StandBy mode offers a new way to use your iPhone while it’s charging, transforming it into a handy information hub. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily activate and customize StandBy to suit your needs. Enjoy this useful addition to iOS 17!