iPhone StandBy Mode widgets turn your charging iPhone into a smart bedside display. In this 2025 guide, you’ll build beautiful, battery‑friendly StandBy setups that surface the right information at a glance—time, weather, alarms, sleep data, Home controls, reminders, and more. We’ll cover the best widget combinations, how to enable and customize StandBy, and pro tips to keep the screen easy on your eyes and your battery healthy.
Why iPhone StandBy widgets matter (and how to get the most value)
StandBy Mode is a landscape charging view that shows large, glanceable widgets. It’s perfect for nightstands, desks, and kitchen counters. The win is context: at night, you want time, alarms, and sleep; in the morning, weather and calendar; during the day, timers and Home controls.
- Big, readable panels: clock styles, calendar, weather, photos.
- Smart Stacks adapt by time, location, and usage.
- Works with MagSafe stands, Qi2 chargers, or any power + landscape orientation.
How to enable StandBy (iPhone StandBy Mode widgets)
- Open Settings → StandBy → turn StandBy On.
- Toggle Always On (if supported) to keep widgets visible on compatible devices.
- Connect power and rotate iPhone to landscape. You’ll see the StandBy screen.
- Touch‑and‑hold to customize panels, add widgets, and create Smart Stacks.
Official docs: Apple Support: iPhone · Apple HIG: Widgets
Best StandBy widget setups (by use case)
1) Sleep‑first bedside
- Left panel: Large Clock (analog or minimalist), Alarm widget.
- Right panel: Sleep widget (Health), Focus status, Next calendar event.
- Smart Stack: Weather → Calendar → Reminders (auto‑rotates for morning).
Tips: Use Night Mode with warm tint, and enable “Show notifications” only for critical contacts.
2) Morning briefing
- Left panel: Weather (hourly), Air Quality, Sunrise/Sunset.
- Right panel: Calendar (day agenda), Reminders Today.
- Smart Stack: News headlines → Stocks → Fitness rings.
Pro move: Pair with a “Good Morning” Focus that auto‑activates 15 minutes before your alarm.
3) Smart home control
- Left panel: Home Favorites (lights, shades, scenes).
- Right panel: Shortcuts (bedtime scene, white noise, fan toggle).
- Smart Stack: Battery (accessories) → Weather Station → Now Playing.
Tip: Keep just 4–6 high‑value Home tiles to avoid hunting in the dark.
4) Desk or kitchen timer
- Left panel: World Clock + Timer/Stopwatch.
- Right panel: Calendar widget + Reminders Next.
- Smart Stack: Notes (pinned) → Grocery list → Now Playing.
Bonus: Use a MagSafe stand on your desk so StandBy doubles as a glanceable agenda.
5) Travel mode
- Left panel: World Clock (destination time), Weather (destination).
- Right panel: Calendar (flight time), Notes (confirmation codes).
- Smart Stack: Batteries → Wallet passes → Maps transit.
Safety: Keep StandBy brightness low in hotels; use Focus with contact exceptions.
Battery‑safe and night‑friendly settings
- Always‑On display: Available on select models. If battery is a concern, turn it off or rely on proximity to wake.
- Auto‑Lock: The screen dims to a low‑power state; StandBy still shows glanceable info when it wakes.
- Night Mode: Uses a red tint style to reduce blue light at night.
- Brightness: Reduce via Control Center before docking at night.
- Burn‑in protection: iOS subtly shifts elements; avoid static, high‑contrast images for hours.
Reference: Apple Support: iPhone features and settings
Pro tips: make StandBy feel “smart”
- Smart Stacks: Long‑press a panel → “+” → add apps → enable Smart Rotate.
- Focus‑aware widgets: Tie a Focus to your bedtime; widgets surface calmer content.
- Shortcuts: Add a “Bedtime” Shortcut to toggle fan, set alarm, run white noise.
- Photos panel: Create an album of ambient wallpapers that won’t glow too bright.
- Home scenes: Set a low‑light scene that keeps glare down.
StandBy vs Android always‑on/ambient displays
- Layout: iPhone StandBy uses large, landscape panels; many Android AODs are portrait and minimalist, though some docks/stands offer ambient widgets.
- Context: Smart Stacks + Focus create time‑ and intent‑aware layouts.
- Ecosystem: Deep tie‑ins with Health, Home, Wallet, and Shortcuts.
If you’re cross‑platform, mirror the same “at a glance” set: clock, alarms, weather, agenda, and one control surface.
How to customize StandBy like a pro (step‑by‑step)
- Enter StandBy: Place iPhone on power in landscape; wait for the view.
- Long‑press left/right panel → swipe to pick a style (Clock, Photos, Widgets).
- Tap “+” → add Calendar, Weather, Reminders, Batteries, Home, Shortcuts, Music.
- Create a Smart Stack: Add multiple widgets to one panel → enable Smart Rotate.
- Tie to Focus: Settings → Focus → choose Bedtime or create one → add StandBy allowed apps/people.
- Test at night: Lower brightness; pick a clock color that won’t wake you.
Recommended widget apps (third‑party favorites)
- Carrot Weather: Hyperlocal forecasts with playful styles.
- Fantastical: Clear agendas and time‑to‑leave hints.
- Things/Reminders: Simple, night‑friendly task lists.
- Home+ / Apple Home: Scene tiles for lights and climate.
- Music / Overcast / Spotify: Now Playing at a glance.
Note: Widget availability and styles evolve; check each app’s latest release notes.
Design packs and wallpapers (make it look gorgeous)
- Curated StandBy wallpapers and icon kits can make night‑mode layouts pop. Explore premium packs here: Envato.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we’d use ourselves.
Troubleshooting
- StandBy won’t appear: Confirm iPhone is charging and in landscape; toggle Settings → StandBy off/on.
- Screen too bright: Lower brightness before docking; use Night Mode clock.
- Widgets not rotating: Enable Smart Rotate; give it a day to learn habits.
- Always‑On missing: Feature varies by model; use tap or proximity to wake.
Expert insights
- One glance rule: Each panel should answer a single question—“What time?”, “What’s next?”, or “What’s the weather?”
- Low‑contrast wins at night: Dark clocks and warm colors reduce sleep disruption.
- Stack sparingly: Two or three items per stack keeps rotation predictable.
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Trusted sources & further reading
- Apple Support: iPhone
- iPhone User Guide (Apple)
- Apple Human Interface Guidelines: Widgets
- MacRumors: iOS features overview
- 9to5Mac: iOS Guides
Final recommendations
- Pick two panels you can read half‑asleep: clock + alarms, weather + agenda.
- Use Smart Stacks for context; don’t overload with rarely used widgets.
- Keep it warm and dim; prioritize sleep over flash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does StandBy work without MagSafe?
Yes. Any power source works. Place iPhone in landscape while charging to enter StandBy.
Which iPhones support Always‑On for StandBy?
Always‑On varies by model. If unavailable, tap to wake or rely on proximity.
Can I use multiple StandBy pages?
You can configure left and right panels and Smart Stacks. Long‑press to add or reorder items.
How do I keep StandBy from lighting up with every notification?
Customize Focus and notification settings to allow only priority contacts and apps.
Will StandBy drain my battery overnight?
It runs while charging. If Always‑On is enabled, power draw is modest; dim the screen to reduce it further.
Can I show Photos only at night?
Yes. Put Photos in a Smart Stack with Smart Rotate. Focus can also reduce interruptions at night.
Do third‑party apps support StandBy widgets?
Many do. Check each app’s latest version for StandBy‑optimized widgets.
Can I interact with widgets in StandBy?
You can tap to open relevant apps and scroll Smart Stacks. For complex tasks, unlock first.
How do I change the clock style?
Long‑press the clock panel in StandBy and swipe through styles and colors.
Does StandBy work on a desk during the day?
Yes. It’s great for a passive agenda, timers, and Now Playing on a MagSafe stand.
