Skip to Content

iOS 16: How to Disable Lock Screen Depth Effect

by

With iOS 16, Apple introduced a complete overhaul of the iOS Lock Screen, making it more customizable than ever and bringing widgets to the Lock Screen for the first time.

ios 16 lock screen customization
One of the new features is a new depth effect that works well with images of people in your Photo library. When you're creating a new Lock Screen, a "People" category suggests images of people that you've photographed that will work with the new depth effect.

On select images, the time will go under the person or object in the photo to create a layered look, similar to how Portrait mode photos look on the Apple Watch, and the results are often quite impressive.

Often, but not always. Sometimes the photo you use will have the depth effect automatically applied, but it may conceal too much of the time on your Lock Screen, or it may just look wrong. In that case, you can easily disable the depth effect. The following steps show you how it's done.

  1. Unlock your ‌‌iPhone‌‌ with Face ID or Touch ID.
  2. Press and hold on the Lock Screen to enter the wallpaper gallery.
  3. Swipe if necessary to the Lock Screen wallpaper with the depth effect, then tap Customize.
    Lock Screen

  4. Tap the ellipsis icon (three encircled dots) in the bottom-right corner.
  5. Tap Depth Effect to uncheck the option.
  6. Tap Done in the top-right corner when you've finished making changes.
  7. Tap the wallpaper again in the gallery to activate it.
    Lock Screen

That's all there is to it. Your chosen Lock Screen should now look as it should without the depth effect applied.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

10+ New Features Coming in iOS 27

Friday March 13, 2026 2:13 pm PDT by
We're only three months away from Apple's WWDC 2026 event, which will see the company unveil iOS 27. With the fully revamped version of Siri possibly delayed until September, iOS 27 is shaping up to be the update we wanted iOS 26 to be. There will be new Apple Intelligence features, updates for the iPhone Fold, and more, with the latest rumors summarized below. Foldable iPhone Features...