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

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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 Roundup: iOS 15
Related Forum: iOS 15

Top Rated Comments

Theyayarealivin Avatar
Theyayarealivin
4 days ago at 08:25 am
Privacy to the fullest!


That’s Apple ?

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Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drinkingtea Avatar
drinkingtea
4 days ago at 08:29 am
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)
Theyayarealivin Avatar
Theyayarealivin
4 days ago at 08:31 am

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)
PhireWare Avatar
PhireWare
4 days ago at 10:48 am

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
bchery21
4 days ago at 09:03 am

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
ChrisMoBro
4 days ago at 10:00 am

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)
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