iOS 16 Brings New Lock Screen Personalization Features, Including Widgets

As part of its iOS 16 presentation at WWDC today, Apple unveiled an all-new Lock Screen for iPhones that provides users with a wealth of customization options, including the ability to add widgets.

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In iOS 16, you can now edit and switch between different styles for your Lock Screen, with the option of applying filters to photos. With a new multilayered effect, the subjects of photos are set in front of the time on the Lock Screen, creating a sense of depth. You can also change the look of the date and time with expressive type styles and color choices.

You can also add custom widgets to the Lock Screen, similar to complications on Apple Watch. Available system widgets include battery levels, alarms, time zones, Activity ring progress, and more.

A new Lock Screen gallery features a range of options for inspiration, such as Apple collections, which include Pride and Unity to celebrate special cultural moments, a Weather wallpaper to see live weather conditions as they change throughout the day, and an Astronomy wallpaper for views of the Earth, moon, and solar system.

Apple is also bringing Focus modes to the Lock Screen, allowing your iPhone to display a different Lock Screen depending on what you're doing.

Meanwhile, Live Activities is a new feature that helps users stay on top of things that are happening in real time, such as a sports game, workout, ride-share, or food delivery order, right from the Lock Screen

Developers will also be able to tap into the new Lock Screen features using a new WidgetKit system. The developer preview of iOS 16 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, and a public beta will be available to iOS users next month.

Related Forum: iOS 16

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Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
40 months ago
Please tell me that we can customize the two bottom icons.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Goodeye Avatar
40 months ago
The widgets and their placement and the look of them give the vibe that they could/would be used on a "always on display". I think there is a good chance of that coming with the iPhone 14 in the fall.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tgwaste Avatar
40 months ago
Lockscreen will now show you everything!.. Except battery percentage.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Paradoxally Avatar
40 months ago
Am I the only one who thought this would be a bigger release?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brett_x Avatar
40 months ago
OMG serif fonts for the screen lock clock. COURAGE!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hkfan45 Avatar
40 months ago
Meh. Basically 15.7.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)