iOS 15 Lets Developers Hide Sensitive Information in Widgets on the Lock Screen Until iPhone Is Unlocked

On iOS and iPadOS 15, Apple is adding new functionality to WidgetKit, introduced last year, that will allow developers to classify information deemed as sensitive in their widgets, meaning that specific information will only become viewable on the lock screen when the user unlocks their device.

3rd party widgets feature 1
iOS 14 introduced completely redesigned widgets for the lock screen and Home Screen. While there are no major changes to WidgetKit this year, the new password-protected feature may be welcomed by apps that feature widgets with sensitive information, such as health and banking information. Widgets are accessible on the lock screen by swiping left to Today View.

Related to widgets on iOS 15 is new functionality for Smart Stacks. Smart Stacks allows users to stack different widgets on top of each other and allowing iOS to determine which widget is most relevant to be shown depending on factors such as time of day, location, and more.

On iOS 15, the system can now automatically add widgets to Smart Stacks that it believes are relevant. The feature called Widget Suggestions is a new way for users to discover widgets they may not have known existed. Developers interested in learning more about the changes in iOS 15 can check out this WWDC session.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Apple Watch 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know Feature

Apple Watch: 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know

Thursday February 19, 2026 7:38 am PST by
Apple Watch is now eleven generations in, and packed with useful features that are easy to miss at first glance. To help you get more out of your new device, we've rounded up 15 practical tips you might not have discovered yet, including a few that long-time users often overlook. Bounce Between Two Apps On your Apple Watch, double-press the Digital Crown to see a deck of all currently...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
61 months ago
Privacy to the fullest!


That’s Apple 🍎

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drinkingtea Avatar
61 months ago
Widgets on the Lock Screen? Is this something coming to iPhone 13/AOD…?

Edit: Never mind. I forgot that widgets are also accessible via the Today View.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
61 months ago

Widgets on the Lock Screen? Is this something coming to iPhone 13/AOD…?

Edit: Never mind. I forgot that widgets are also accessible via the Today View.
Maybe for always on display for the new iPhone?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago

Unrelated: The White Noise/Grey Noise widget....Anyone know what App that is?
Looks like the Dark Noise ('https://darknoise.app/') app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bchery21 Avatar
61 months ago

I’m going to sound old and get off my lawn-y but I don’t see a lot of uses personality for widgets and I haven’t found a site that explains why I would want them. To me they seem to be containers. My photos Widget seems to randomly select what album to display and it is usually a rather old one. This may be a setting that can be changed, but the last time I looked I couldn’t find anything about it.
For me, when I swipe to the right on the lock screen to access the Today View, quickly seeing my weather widget, stocks widget and/or the Flipboard widget to see if there's any articles worth reading is convenient and makes sense to have certain widgets available.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisMoBro Avatar
61 months ago

Privacy to the fullest!


That’s Apple 🍎
Unless you live in China. Then Apple doesn't care about human rights.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)