Android May Adapt iOS StandBy Mode: A New Cross-Platform Feature Coming Soon?
The tech world is buzzing with speculation that Android may soon adopt a feature similar to iOS's StandBy Mode. Introduced with iOS 17, StandBy Mode transforms an iPhone into a smart display when it's charging in landscape orientation, showcasing a clock, widgets, photos, and live updates. Now, it appears Google is gearing up to introduce a similar functionality for Android devices with the upcoming Android 16.
What is iOS StandBy Mode?
iOS StandBy Mode activates when an iPhone is connected to a charger (MagSafe, wireless, or wired) and placed horizontally. It turns the lock screen into a customizable interface displaying glanceable information like time, date, and battery level. Users can also add widgets for weather, calendar, music, and more. On iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro models with always-on displays, StandBy Mode remains continuously active while charging. For other iPhones, the screen times out after inactivity. Notifications and Live Activities are also presented in a full-screen style, and the photo screen is interactive and customizable.
Evidence of Android's StandBy Mode
The first hints of Android adopting a similar feature appeared in a recent update to Google Play Services, specifically version 25.18. The code contained a reference to a new feature that would enable users to "use Cast on standby-friendly devices." This suggests Google intends for smartphones to function more like smart displays during inactivity. Currently, Android phones lack the ability to serve as Cast receivers, a feature available on tablets and smart displays. It seems that software limitations, rather than hardware, are the primary obstacle, and Google is poised to address this.
Further fueling this speculation, Android 16 is expected to revive lock screen widgets in a major update. Google has confirmed these widgets are part of an interface called Hub Mode, currently being tailored for smartphones. When docked and charging, phones could soon display clocks, photos, and widgets, mirroring the iOS StandBy Mode experience.
Digging into Android 16's code has revealed a new "Standby" button in the power menu, likely designed to launch the screensaver and lock screen widgets simultaneously. This suggests a synchronized experience, connecting all the pieces.
The Role of Qi2 Wireless Charging
Advancements in charging technology are also contributing to these developments. The rollout of Qi2 wireless charging, with its magnetic alignment similar to Apple's MagSafe, facilitates landscape charging—crucial for a potential smart display experience. While magnetic charging has been absent on Android until recently, the adoption of the Qi2 standard is expected to grow, potentially motivating Google to introduce StandBy Mode for Android. Support for Qi2 is anticipated in upcoming Samsung Galaxy devices and possibly the Pixel 10 series.
Android 16 Features and Release
Android 16, internally codenamed "Baklava," is expected to launch during Google I/O 2025. Besides the potential StandBy Mode, Android 16 is slated to include features like Live Updates (similar to iOS Live Activities), an embedded photo picker, health records, improved adaptive refresh rate support, and enhanced security features. Google has also previewed a significant redesign with Material 3 Expressive, which will first come to Pixel devices later this year.
What This Means for Users
If Android does indeed adopt a StandBy Mode, it would offer users a convenient way to access information without having to pick up their phones. Imagine glancing at your phone on your nightstand to check the time, weather, or upcoming calendar events. The feature could also display photos, control smart home devices, and provide real-time updates from various apps.
While third-party apps offer similar functionality, a native StandBy Mode would provide a more seamless and integrated experience. It would also align Android with iOS, offering users another reason to consider switching or staying within the Android ecosystem.
The possibility of Android adopting a StandBy Mode akin to iOS is an exciting prospect. With advancements in software and charging technology, it seems increasingly likely that Android users will soon be able to transform their phones into smart displays.
