The main update with iOS 16 is the ability to create custom lock screens. From widgets, fonts, photos, new wallpapers and more, follow along for a hands-on look at how to create a custom iOS 16 Lock Screen on iPhone.
The next major release of iPhone software includes a range of convenient features for Messages, Notifications, Photos, Mail, Safari and more.
However, what’s likely to get the most attention is iOS 16’s new custom lock screen feature. It’s the biggest customization support we’ve seen from Apple with an iPhone, building on all the work it’s done with iOS 14 when it debuted with gadgets, plus some of the Apple Watch’s neat watch faces.
iOS 16 is currently available as a free public or paid developer beta. Learn more about installing iOS 16 in our complete guide.
iOS 16 Lock Screen: How to Customize iPhone
- After installing iOS 16, press and hold on your lock screen
- If you’re using an old wallpaper, you’ll need to create a new one to make a custom lock screen
- Tap the blue + icon in the lower right corner
- Choose a wallpaper from the best categories or swipe below to see all options
- Tap the + icon below the clock to select widgets
- Recommended widgets are at the top, more choices by category below
- Tap the time to customize the font and color
- Tap the date to add a widget on top
- Choices include Calendar, Clock, Fitness, Reminders, Stocks, and Weather
Here’s a hands-on look at the process:
If you tap the “Customize” button on an old wallpaper, you’ll be prompted to “Add New” to continue.
Photos can look really sharp with the new lock screen, and you can even set it to cycle through your photos with the “Photo Shuffle” wallpaper.
You can add up to 4 small widgets, 2 small and 1 medium, or 2 medium widgets in the bottom space of a lock screen.
The fastest way to add widgets is by tapping them, but you can drag and drop them if you want to be more specific with placement.
Tap the time to customize its font and color. Swipe from right to left to reveal more color options, as well as the full color palette for a fully customized hue.
You can also add 1 widget to the top day/date section, tap it to make a selection.
Tap the three-dot icon in the lower-right corner to enable perspective zoom, and tap Done in the upper-right corner when you’re done.
Back on the main lock screen customization page, you can also tap Focus at the bottom to link a specific one to that particular lock screen.
How do lock screen widgets work?
Once you place widgets on your lock screen, you’ll get live data presented every time you look. However, like the executables on the home screen, they are not directly interactive, so when you tap them, you will be taken to the corresponding application (Calendar, Weather, Reminders, etc.).
How many iOS 16 lock screens can you make?
At any time, you can tap Customize to edit a lock screen or tap the blue + icon to create a new one.
It’s not clear how many lock screens you can make, but I’ve created 21 so far 😅.
How to toggle lock screens
Like Apple Watch watch faces, once you have multiple lock screens, it’s easy to switch between them by long-pressing your lock screen and swiping to select another.
How to delete custom lock screens
To remove custom lock screens, long press on one and select “Delete Wallpaper” at the bottom.
Lock screens and battery life?
The new weather and astronomy wallpapers in iOS 16 are really impressive, but be aware that they will request access to a location (which can be updated as often as every 15 minutes), which can affect your battery life iPhone.
How excited are you to use the new iOS 16 lock screen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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