Standby for Hub Mode: Google wants to turn your Android phone into a smart display
The evidence isn’t very strong, but we think Google is working on its own version of iOS’ Standby Mode for Android phones
- Google appears to be developing an Android equivalent to iOS’s Standby Mode, hinted at by a Google Play Services update and code found in Android 16.
- This new feature will likely leverage an enhanced Hub Mode, which is being optimized for phones and will integrate lock screen widgets in Android 16 QPR1.
- The rollout of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging for Android devices is a key enabler, allowing phones to be easily docked horizontally like smart displays.
One of iOS’s standout features is Standby Mode, which transforms an iPhone into a mini smart display. When charging and placed horizontally, iPhones activate Standby Mode, displaying a full-screen clock, photo frame, widgets, or Live Activities. This feature particularly shines when using a MagSafe charger, as it truly gives the iPhone the appearance of a smart display. While Android currently lacks a direct equivalent to iOS’ Standby Mode, there are hints that Google may be developing its own version. Here’s how I know.
Last week, Google updated its Google System Release Notes page with an intriguing line for Google Play Services v25.18. It mentions a “new feature” that lets you “use Cast on standby-friendly devices,” specifically tagged with [Phone], indicating it’s for the mobile version of Android, not Wear OS, Google TV, Google Play Games on PC, or Android Automotive.
