Best Way to Fix iPhone StandBy Mode Not Working

StandBy mode, sometimes called "iPhone nightstand mode," is on by default on iPhones running iOS 17 or later. Just make sure to toggle on StandBy mode and Always On Display. Plus, make sure your iPhone is plugged into a compatible charger and leaning back while in landscape mode.

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• How to Use StandBy Mode (iOS 17 or Later) Correctly
• Troubleshooting StandBy Mode Not Working on iPhone
• FAQ

How to Use StandBy Mode (iOS 17 or Later) Correctly

To get your iPhone to go into StandBy mode, you need to lock it, plug it in to charge, and have it sit horizontally at a slight angle. Your phone’s display should immediately change to the new iPhone StandBy mode. Once StandBy mode is on, you can customize it by swiping left and right to change the display layout, swiping up and down to change the style, and long-press to edit the widgets or other StandBy Mode settings. Check out our article on setting up StandBy mode to learn more. If you have a compatible phone running the correct software and cannot get your StandBy mode to work, we can help! To discover more new iPhone features, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

Troubleshooting StandBy Mode Not Working on iPhone

If you can’t get StandBy mode to work, you’re not alone. It can take a while to get the settings right and figure out how to get the feature to work correctly. Here’s what to do if you experience StandBy Mode not working:

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1. Make sure StandBy mode is toggled on by opening Settings.
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap StandBy. If you don’t see this setting, skip to step 10.
   
   
3. Make sure StandBy is toggled on. You can tap Display if you wish to adjust your settings further.
   
   
4. Next, make sure you are using the correct type of charger. It is best to use an MFI (Made for iPhone)-certified charger that holds your iPhone horizontally. I have managed to activate StandBy mode without a fancy charger by simply leaning my plugged-in iPhone back at a 30-degree angle. Knock-off chargers or the wrong angle can prevent StandBy from turning on.
5. If StandBy mode still isn’t working, return to Settings and tap Display & Brightness.
   
   
6. Select Always On Display.
   
   
7. Make sure that Always On Display is toggled on.
   
   
8. The next thing to try is to turn off Lock Orientation. Even though StandBy mode should work with Lock Orientation on, some users find that turning the lock off temporarily makes StandBy mode work. To turn it off, open the Control Center by swiping down diagonally from the top right corner of your iPhone display.
   
   
9. Tap the lock icon to turn Lock Orientation off.
   
   
10. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS, as Apple often includes fixes to common problems with every update. Return to Settings and tap General.
    
    
11. Tap Software Update and update your iPhone if there’s an update available.
    
    
12. Finally, try restarting your iPhone by pressing the Power and Volume buttons until you see the menu with the slide to power off slider. Once your phone is powered back on, StandBy mode should work!
    
    

Now you know how to enable ‘nightstand mode’ (iPhone StandBy mode). StandBy mode can be a great productivity tool because it lets you use certain iPhone features without distraction or as a bedside table clock. It even has a night mode that makes the display black and red so it can be viewed easily at night without being bright enough to keep you awake.