How to Get Digital Clock on StandBy

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

StandBy mode is a feature in iOS 17 and later that turns your iPhone into a pseudo-alarm clock. It can be a little tricky to get used to at first, so if you're new to StandBy, be sure to check out how StandBy works before diving in. However, if you love StandBy as a feature but would prefer a digital clock to an analog clock, Apple just released a new widget that allows you to do this, and it's a total game changer. Here's how to change the clock in StandBy.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

  • Learn how to change the clock widget in StandBy.
  • Change the clock from an analog clock to a digital one, which may be easier to read at night.

How to Change the Clock on StandBy Mode

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 17 or later. Find out how to update to iOS 17.

StandBy can only stay on permanently if you have an iPhone that has an Always-On display, so if you don’t see the Always-On display option in your Display & Brightness, you won’t be able to keep StandBy on the entire time. Personally, I prefer having to tap it to see it anyway! If you like learning neat tricks about how to use your iPhone, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

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  1. Enter StandBy mode by placing your iPhone on a charger and placing it in landscape orientation.

    ios 17 clock display
  2. When StandBy mode appears after a few moments, tap and hold the clock.

    how to change the clock on standby mode
  3. You may need to enter your passcode or use FaceID if your iPhone locked.

    change standby clock ios 17
  4. Then, tap the Plus button to add a new widget.

    ios 17 sideways clock
  5. Tap Clock.

    ios 17 standby digital clock
  6. The first widget should now be the digital clock. Tap Add Widget to add it to your StandBy screen.

    how to change clock on standby mode
  7. Now, you can delete the other clocks already in the widget stack to ensure that they don't rotate.

    change clock on standby iphone
  8. Or, you can turn off Smart Rotate.

    how to edit standby mode ios 17
  9. Additionally, you may want to turn off Widget Suggestions to avoid random widgets being added to the stack.

    how to change the standby clock on ios 17
  10. Tap Done when you're done.

  11. Now StandBy mode will feature an easy-to-read digital clock!

And that's how you can change the analog clock to a digital clock on StandBy. For a long time, the only clock option available in StandBy was the analog clock. This makes it so much easier to read the time in the middle of the night!

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Author Details

Rachel Needell's picture

Author Details

Rachel Needell

Rachel Needell is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and a poet and author. With 10-plus years of experience working with Apple devices, she specializes in all-things iPad and is a Notes App expert, having worked on both the 2023 iPad Guide and the Notes App Guide. You can usually find her writing in the Daily Tip newsletter as one of our senior Tip writers. Rachel received her Master’s degree in English Literature in 2021 and her most recent work appears in the Winter ’21 edition of New Note Poetry. When she’s not obsessing about Apple products, you can find her voraciously reading fantasy books with her cat in Asheville, North Carolina.