iOS 16 Brings Back Full-Screen Music Player to the Lock Screen

With iOS 16, Apple is bringing the full-screen music player back to the Lock Screen, offering an entirely new view that puts album art in the center with controls at the bottom.

ios 16 lock screen music player
The full-screen music player on the lock screen was last available with iOS 10 and is now back with iOS 16 as part of a lock screen redesign. On iOS 16, users will be able to change the Lock Screen font and colors, add new widgets, entirely new dynamic wallpapers, and more.

It's worth noting that in the first developer beta of iOS 16, the full-screen music player does not seem to be present.

iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are currently in beta testing with developers with a public beta planned for both in July. ‌iOS 16‌, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and watchOS 9 will be available to users this fall.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...

Top Rated Comments

sharksftw Avatar
46 months ago

I hope that Apple allows users to adjust the location for where the playback controls go on the screen - I would much rather have the play, pause and skip forward and backward controls where they currently are on iOS 15

Having them at the bottom of the screen is horrible UI - especially when holding your iPhone with one hand
Huh? Especially with one hand it’s easier to use when it’s on the bottom.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
46 months ago
Not sure what the big deal is with this one. I personally wouldn't want a full artwork image to take up the lock screen. just the player controls as minimal as possible and that's ti.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eddy Munn Avatar
46 months ago

Pretty sure the full size music player was last around in iOS 10 and went away with iOS 11 :)
Correct. iOS 10 vs iOS 11.

Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
adammusic Avatar
46 months ago
Bring lyrics there too please
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ric275 Avatar
46 months ago

The full-screen music player on the lock screen was last available with iOS 7 and is now back with iOS 16 as part of a lock screen redesign.
Pretty sure the full size music player was last around in iOS 10 and went away with iOS 11 :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. 123 Avatar
46 months ago

Agreed. The whole point of the cover art is to see it in full display, not hide it away.
As someone who actually designs cover artwork, I fully agree!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)