To edit iOS 17’s StandBy Mode, activate it by locking, charging, and placing your iPhone sideways, then press and hold any widget to customize.
StandBy Mode turns your iPhone into a handy bedside clock, photo frame, or info hub while it charges. The default layout works well, but you can swap widgets, change clock styles, and control when the screen stays on. This article covers the full editing process—from first activation to final tweaks.
What Is StandBy Mode?
StandBy Mode is a full‑screen display that appears when an iPhone running iOS 17 or later is locked, charging, and laid on its side. It shows the time, a customizable widget stack, and can cycle through your favorite photos. The feature is enabled by default after upgrading to iOS 17.
Requirements to Use StandBy
StandBy works on any iPhone that supports iOS 17: iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and all newer models. Both wired Lightning/USB‑C charging and wireless MagSafe or Qi chargers work, but the charger must hold the phone upright—flat pads or low‑angle stands won’t trigger the mode. The feature is available globally with no special plan required.
How to Activate StandBy Mode
To get StandBy on screen, meet three conditions at once: your iPhone must be locked, connected to power, and placed horizontally on an upright charger. If your phone lacks Always‑On Display (Pro models have it), tap the screen to wake it. On Pro models the display stays dimly lit automatically.
If StandBy doesn’t appear, check that it’s turned on: go to Settings > StandBy and confirm the toggle is on. It’s usually enabled by default.
Editing Widgets in StandBy Mode
Once StandBy is active, you can add, remove, or rearrange widgets. Press and hold any widget view—like the analog clock—to enter edit mode. From there:
- Tap the + (plus) icon in the top‑left corner of a widget slot to add a new widget.
- Tap the – (minus) icon to remove a widget.
- Swipe up or down on a widget to cycle through its style options (for example, switching between an analog and digital clock face).
- To create a widget stack, swipe up or down within a view to reveal additional widgets—they will automatically form a stack.
When you’re done, tap Done at the top of the screen or press the Side Button to save your changes.
Switching Between StandBy Views
StandBy includes three pre‑built view stacks: Clock, Photos, and Smart Stack (which shows calendars, weather, and more). Swipe left or right horizontally to switch between them. Inside a stack, swipe up or down to scroll through its individual widgets.
You can customize which widgets appear in each stack using the same long‑press editing process described above.
StandBy Display Settings
Control how long the screen stays lit under Settings > StandBy > Display. Choose from three options:
| Setting | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Automatically | Screen turns off after inactivity when the room is dark (most power‑efficient). |
| After 20 Seconds | Screen goes dark 20 seconds after your last tap, regardless of ambient light. |
| Never | Screen stays on whenever StandBy is active. Best for nightstands where you glance often. |
Night Mode (tinted red) activates automatically in low light to protect your sleep—no manual adjustment needed.
Common StandBy Issues and Fixes
If StandBy won’t activate or widgets won’t edit, these are the usual culprits:
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| StandBy never appears | Charger is flat or low‑angle | Use an upright charging stand; flat pads don’t trigger the mode. |
| Screen is blank on non‑Pro iPhone | No Always‑On Display | Tap the screen to wake it; the display will auto‑dim after a few seconds. |
| Can’t press and hold to edit | Low Power Mode is on | Go to Settings > Battery > turn off Low Power Mode. |
| Widget changes won’t save | iPhone is unlocked or not charging | Lock the device and confirm it’s charging; editing only works in StandBy mode. |
| Customization not available | iOS version too old | Update to iOS 17 or later via Settings > General > Software Update. |
| Clock face won’t change | Wrong swiping direction | Swipe up or down on the clock widget, not left/right. |
| Photos view is empty | No album selected | In edit mode on Photos view, tap the + and choose an album to display. |
For persistent problems, check Apple’s official StandBy documentation for the latest troubleshooting steps.
StandBy Mode Setup: The Complete Sequence
When you’ve finished customizing, here’s the quick way to make sure everything is working:
- Update your iPhone to iOS 17 or later.
- Check Settings > StandBy — ensure the toggle is on.
- Place your iPhone on an upright charger in landscape orientation while locked.
- Wake the display (tap the screen on non‑Pro models) to see your widgets.
- Press and hold any widget to add, remove, or customize it.
- Swipe left/right to select different view stacks; swipe up/down to scroll within a stack.
- Tap Done to lock in your layout.
That’s it—your StandBy screen is now tailored exactly how you want it.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “Use StandBy to view information at a glance.” Official setup and editing instructions for iOS 17.