![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Google-Pixel-9-Pro-with-Pixel-Buds-Pro-2-and-Nest-Hub.jpg\"\/ "\\"Google")
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Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
One of iOS\u2019s standout features is Standby Mode<\/a>, 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<\/a>, as it truly gives the iPhone the appearance of a smart display. While Android currently lacks a direct equivalent to iOS\u2019 Standby Mode, there are hints that Google may be developing its own version. Here\u2019s how I know.<\/p>\n \nYou\u2019re reading an Authority Insights<\/strong> story. Discover Authority Insights<\/a> for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won\u2019t find anywhere else.<\/p>\n Last week, Google updated its Google System Release Notes page<\/a> with an intriguing line for Google Play Services<\/a> v25.18. It mentions a \u201cnew feature\u201d that lets you \u201cuse Cast on standby-friendly devices,\u201d specifically tagged with [Phone], indicating it\u2019s for the mobile version of Android, not Wear OS, Google TV, Google Play Games on PC, or Android Automotive.<\/p>\n While somewhat ambiguous, we interpret this to mean Android mobile devices can now cast content to \u201cstandby-friendly\u201d devices. Existing Google Cast-compatible devices\u2014like Google TV, Google Home smart speakers and displays, and tablets in Hub Mode\u2014likely don\u2019t fall into this new \u201cstandby-friendly\u201d category, suggesting Google is referring to a different set of hardware.<\/p>\n Mishaal Rahman \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n The Google Pixel Tablet in Hub Mode.<\/p>\n So, what devices might Google mean by \u201cstandby-friendly?\u201d My interpretation is that this refers to Android phones<\/a> equipped with Hub Mode and Chromecast built-in, much like the Pixel Tablet. Technically, the only barrier to Android phones acting as Google Cast receivers has been the absence of the Chromecast built-in app and necessary DRM keys, not a fundamental hardware limitation.<\/p>\n The likely reason Google hasn\u2019t enabled its phones as Cast receivers before is the potential for a suboptimal user experience. Casting typically targets landscape-oriented devices like TVs and smart displays. Most phones, however, remain in portrait mode even when docked, largely because, unlike iPhones, many Android phones lack magnetic wireless charging that would facilitate easy landscape placement on a charger. This hardware difference may explain why Google hasn\u2019t prioritized optimizing the screen saver or lock screen widget experience for phone screens.<\/p>\n However, the landscape is clearly shifting. Firstly, the Qi2 wireless charging standard<\/a> introduces magnetic charging to Android phones. While currently, only one Qi2 Android phone is available<\/a>, Samsung has confirmed it\u2019s launching a Qi2-compatible Galaxy device<\/a> this year. Google has also repeatedly stated its commitment to expanding Qi2 support within the Android ecosystem and even spearheaded the development of the Qi v2.2 standard, which promises charging speeds exceeding the 15W maximum of Qi2.<\/p>\n Dhruv Bhutani \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n A Pixel 9 Pro mounted on a Qi2 desk stand thanks to a third-party MagSafe case<\/p>\n Although there\u2019s no official confirmation that the upcoming Google Pixel 10<\/a> will support Qi2 or Qi v2.2, it wouldn\u2019t be surprising if it did, as Google\u2019s recent advancements align well with the Pixel 10\u2019s potential release timeline. After all, the Pixel 10 might launch as early as August, assuming Google follows a similar schedule to the Pixel 9. And Google confirmed earlier this year its plans to introduce lock screen widgets to phones<\/a> in Android 16\u2019s first quarterly release (QPR1). The Pixel 10 will likely debut with Android 16 and shortly after receive an update to Android 16 QPR1, enabling lock screen widget support.<\/p>\n Notably, the lock screen widget feature is part of Android\u2019s Hub Mode, which Google is currently optimizing for phones. Considering this, it\u2019s reasonable to conclude that Hub Mode will serve as Android\u2019s version of Standby Mode. When Hub Mode arrives on phones with Android 16 QPR1, users will be able to seamlessly switch between their screen saver (displaying clocks, photo frames, etc.) and their widgets. Sound familiar? That\u2019s precisely how Standby Mode functions on iOS.<\/p>\n While I admit that the evidence for a dedicated Standby Mode on Android has been somewhat circumstantial, there\u2019s more to it than just that single line in the Google System Release Notes. In fact, while examining Android 16\u2019s code, I discovered a new string indicating Google plans to add a \u201cStandby\u201d button to Android\u2019s Global Action dialog (the power menu).<\/p>\n Digging deeper, I learned that this new \u201cStandby\u201d button is designed to trigger the screen saver and lock screen widgets, effectively tying all these elements together. So, while the initial clue might have been weak, this new link strengthens the case, and I think my overall conclusion is solid.<\/p>\n Qi2 charging support is undoubtedly coming to more Android devices; it\u2019s a matter of when, not if. In preparation for a future where Android phones can be easily docked horizontally on wireless chargers, Google is enhancing Hub Mode for phones, allowing them to offer more than just a basic clock or photo display. Whether we see Android phones leveraging this expanded Hub Mode this year or next remains to be seen, but its arrival seems inevitable.<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Google_Pixel_Tablet_in_hub_mode_Rita_el_Khoury.jpg\"\/ "\\"Google")
<\/p>\n![\"Pixel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pixel-Magsafe-Qi2-desk-stand.jpg\"\/ "\\"Pixel")
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