To customise your iPhone Lock Screen, wake the phone, touch and hold the Lock Screen and tap Customize, or tap the Add button for a new one. From there you can change the clock font, add widgets, swap the Flashlight and Camera controls and pick a filter, then tap Done.
The Lock Screen is the part of your iPhone you see most, dozens of times a day, and it can do far more than show a nice photo. You can choose the clock style, put your next meeting or the weather right under the time, replace the two buttons at the bottom, and keep a different Lock Screen for work and for evenings.
Opening the Lock Screen editor
- Wake your iPhone. Apple's guide says to press the side button twice.
- Touch and hold the Lock Screen.
- To edit the current one, tap Customize. To start fresh, tap the Add button for a new Lock Screen.
- If you don't see these options, touch and hold again and enter your passcode.
If you're creating a new one, choose a wallpaper option first. Then the elements you can change are highlighted on screen.
Everything you can change
| Element | How to change it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clock | Tap the time to change the font; drag the bottom right corner to make it taller | Some styles add a more transparent look |
| Widgets | Tap your existing widgets or tap Add Widgets | Remove one to make room if it's full |
| Controls at the bottom | Tap Remove on a control, then tap Add Quick Action | Swap the default Flashlight or Camera |
| Photo position | Pinch to zoom, drag with two fingers | Keep faces clear of the clock |
| Style | Swipe left or right through colour filters | Options depend on the wallpaper |
| Depth Effect | Tap the Depth Effect button | Creates a multilayered effect on supported photos |
Adding Lock Screen widgets
For a busy day, widgets are the most useful change. Apple's widget guide says you can show things like the temperature, air quality, battery level or upcoming calendar events.
- In the Lock Screen editor, tap Add Widgets.
- Tap or drag the widgets you want into the space.
- If there's no room, tap the Remove button on a widget you don't need.
- Swipe down to close the list, then tap Done.
My pick for a business owner is the Calendar widget plus battery. One glance tells you where you need to be and whether your phone will last until then.
Swapping the two buttons at the bottom
Most people never realise the Flashlight and Camera buttons can be changed. In the editor, tap the Remove button on one of the controls, then tap the Add Quick Action button and choose something you use more. If you never use the torch but scan codes or take voice notes all day, this saves a few taps every time.
The privacy trade-off people forget
Here's the catch. Anything on your Lock Screen can be seen by anyone holding your phone, even if it's locked. Apple's guide on Lock Screen features makes the point directly: if you turn off Lock Screen access to a feature, you stop someone who has your iPhone from viewing personal information, such as an upcoming event in the Calendar widget. The downside is that you lose that quick access too.
To review it, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) and look at the options below Allow Access When Locked. If your diary has client names in it and your phone often sits face up on a meeting table, think about which widgets you really want on show.
Running more than one Lock Screen
You can create several Lock Screens and swap between them. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears, swipe to the one you want and tap it.
The clever part is linking one to a Focus. In the gallery, tap Focus near the bottom of a wallpaper and pick one, such as Work or Personal. Apple says that Lock Screen then appears whenever that Focus is on. Bear in mind it works both ways: if a Lock Screen is linked to a Focus, switching to another Lock Screen also switches your Focus. That surprises people who change wallpaper and then wonder why their notifications have changed.
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Trying 3D and depth effects
On iPhone 12 and later, Apple says you can try a spatial scene for a 3D effect when you set up a new Lock Screen. You can also tap the Depth Effect button to create a multilayered effect. Both depend on the photo, so if the button's missing, try a picture with a clear subject and a simple background.
Tidying up old Lock Screens
To remove one, touch and hold the Lock Screen, swipe to the one you no longer want, swipe up on it, tap the Trash button and then Delete This Wallpaper.
My verdict
Set up two Lock Screens: a work one linked to your Work Focus with calendar and battery widgets, and a personal one with a favourite photo and nothing sensitive on show. Then check Allow Access When Locked so you know exactly what a stranger could see. That's a few minutes well spent on the screen you look at more than any other. For more ways to make your phone your own, try my list of free photo editing apps for iPhone for wallpaper-worthy shots, and my guide to hiding names in WhatsApp notifications for a more private Lock Screen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I edit my iPhone Lock Screen?
Touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap Customize. If the option doesn't appear, touch and hold again and enter your passcode.
Can I change the Flashlight and Camera buttons on the Lock Screen?
Yes. In the editor, tap Remove on a control, then tap Add Quick Action to choose another.
What widgets can I put on the Lock Screen?
Apple gives examples such as temperature, air quality, battery level and upcoming calendar events.
Why did my Focus change when I switched Lock Screens?
If a Lock Screen is linked to a Focus, switching Lock Screens also switches the Focus.
Can people see my widgets when my iPhone is locked?
Yes. Review Allow Access When Locked in Face ID and Passcode settings to limit what's shown.
