Every once in a while Apple drops its users a unique carrot — a feature that goes unknown and unfounded for a little bit until talk of it goes viral. This is exactly what is happening in the case of something called the “Red Mode” which users have discovered turns their widgets clock red, but that more importantly helps users “see better in the dark.” The mode “won’t hurt your eyes” when you’re straining at night to make heads or tails of what’s on your phone.
But there’s a trick to finding the red mode. Here’s how tech experts say you can unlock this fairly new, and very interesting features on your phone.
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iPhone Standby
The red-colored Lock Screen clock and weather widget is part of iPhone’s Standby feature. Standby was added to Apple’s iOS 17 update in 2023 and, as Apple explains, “You can use StandBy to turn your iPhone into a bedside clock, a photo frame, a display for viewing widgets or Live Activities in full screen, and more."
To view the red mode the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have iOS 17. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Download new software if you are running an older program.
The next step is to go to Settings > Standby and toggle it on. Connect your phone to a charger and place it down on a surface on its long side so that the screen is in landscape position. Press the side button for StandBy to become active. At this point, you can begin customizations. "Swipe left or right to switch between widgets, photos, and clocks," Apple says. "Swipe up or down to scroll between options for each of these views."
If you happen to be in a dark room while you’re customizing your phone on Standby, you may notice the widgets turn red. "When Night Mode is turned on for StandBy, the screen adapts to low ambient light at night," Apple explains. "And displays items with a red tint so that it’s not intrusive while you’re sleeping."
Since red is a comfortable color to view in the dark, this explains Apple’s mysterious setting — turns out it’s better for your eyes at night!
