On Oracle 11g to activate standby database we should do: --stop apply process SQL> alter database recover managed standby database cancel; --finish recovery managed SQL> alter database recover managed standby database finish; Database altered. --activate database SQL> alter database activate physical standby database; Database altered. --open database SQL> alter database open; Database altered. SQL> select name, open_mode from v$database; NAME OPEN_MODE --------- -------------------- PROD1 READ WRITE SQL>