StandBy is a feature on iPhone that turns your lock screen into an interactive, glanceable window of widgets when your device is charging on a horizontal surface. It is a new Lock Screen mode in iOS 17 that activates when an iPhone is charging and positioned on its side. You can use StandBy to turn your iPhone into a bedside clock, a digital photo frame, a display for viewing widgets, a full-screen display of Live Activities, and more.

To activate StandBy, connect your iPhone to a charger and set it down on its side, keeping it stationary. With the Always On display (on iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max), StandBy stays on to show useful information. For all other iPhone models, it’s easy to bring up StandBy anytime by tapping the screen, gently nudging the table your iPhone is on, or using Siri.

StandBy is made up of three screens that can be accessed by swiping horizontally on your iPhones display. The first screen displays interactive widgets, the second showcases individual photos from your Photos library, and the third is a large clock. You can swipe left or right to switch between widgets, photos, and clocks. Swipe up or down to scroll between options for each of these views.

StandBy is on by default, but you can enable or disable it manually by going to Settings > StandBy, then turn off StandBy. When Night Mode is on for StandBy, the screen adapts to low ambient light at night and displays in a red tint so that it’s not intrusive while you’re sleeping.

All iPhones that are upgradeable to iOS 17 will support StandBy mode.