How to Use Standby Mode in iOS 17
Miscellaneous / / September 15, 2023
Find out how to turn your smartphone into a convenient dashboard and keep abreast of what's happening.
What is Standby mode in iOS 17
iOS 17 introduces a new Standby mode that activates while charging. It turns your iPhone's lock screen into a smart screen with important information that you can view from a distance. For example, when the smartphone is on the desktop or bedside table.
Thanks to interactive widgets in the new mode, iPhone also becomes a remote control for controlling HomeKit-enabled smart home devices. You can turn on the lights, open the gates, and start other connected devices.
When using branded MagSafe chargers or certified adapters, iOS remembers the selected settings for each location where you apply Standby mode and automatically switches the displayed elements. For example, there is a timer in the kitchen, a clock near the bed, and a calendar on the desktop.
Which devices support Standby mode in iOS 17
The feature is available on all iPhones that are compatible with iOS 17, but only Pro models of the 14th and 15th series can work in always-on display mode.
In addition, these devices can automatically turn on the screen at night when motion is detected and turn it off when you fall asleep. On other smartphones, to activate, you need to touch the display or tap the surface on which the iPhone is standing.
How to Set Up Standby Mode in iOS 17
How to activate Standby mode
To get started, go to “Settings” → “Standby” and click the toggle switch of the same name to enable the function. Next, lock your iPhone and connect it to a charger—it doesn’t matter whether it’s wired or wireless.
Please note that the smartphone must be fixed in a horizontal position (landscape orientation) and at least at a slight angle. That is, it should be attached to some kind of stand, and not lie flat on the surface of, for example, a table.
How to activate night mode
For convenience, the system can automatically turn on night mode using a light sensor. This displays all graphics in red to reduce eye strain when you wake up and check the time or other information. It works the same way as on Apple Watch Ultra.
To enable “Night mode”, you need to activate the toggle switch of the same name in the “Standby” menu in system settings.
How to use Standby mode in iOS 17
All content available in this mode is divided into three screens. The first displays interactive widgets, the second displays photos, and the third displays a clock. To switch between them, swipe left and right.
Widgets
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This screen displays two areas of widgets - similar to the stacks on the desktop, only very large. The contents of the stacks can be scrolled through by swiping up or down.
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To change the stack, long-tap on the stack, and then add new widgets by choosing from categories, or remove unnecessary ones. If you wish, you can enable smart replacement and suggestions to display the most relevant information.
If the widget is interactive, you can interact with it, for example, marking completed items in Reminders. When touched, an arrow appears, clicking on which you can open the corresponding application. This eliminates false positives.
Photo
This screen turns the iPhone into something like a photo frame, displaying a selection of frames from the gallery. By tapping on the shooting date or location, you can go to a specific photo to view it or share it with someone.
By default, Memories are displayed, but you can set other selections, such as “Nature”, “Pets”, “Cities”, “People”, or manually specify a specific album. Switching between them is carried out by vertical swipes.
To exclude a particular category from display, make a long tap, which will switch it to editing mode. Then click on the eye icon to deactivate the panel.
Watch
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As the name suggests, this screen shows the time and date, offering different options for displaying the clock or calendar. You can switch between them by swiping up or down.
A total of five options are available: analog, digital, world, solar, decorative. In almost all of them you can choose color accents, like on the Apple Watch. Some watches additionally contain information about the current temperature and the set alarm.
Activity, notifications
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In addition to the options mentioned, Standby mode also shows notifications and all applications that can display activity in the dynamic island or lock screen. For example, a timer, music, football match scores - all of this is expanded across the entire display by tapping on the corresponding icon.
You can enable or disable this information in the system settings: in the “Standby” → “Show notifications” and Face ID → “Activity Live” sections, respectively.
Read also🍏
- 32 free apps that will be useful to all Apple Watch owners
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