iPhone lockscreen gets a makeover! Apple users will be able to customise in iOS 16

iPhone lockscreen gets a makeover! Apple users will be able to customise widgets, fonts and wallpapers in iOS 16

  • The current iPhone lockscreen has the time and calendar at the top of the screen
  • In iOS 16, users will be able to customise their lockscreen with widgets
  • The update was announced by Apple’s Craig Federighi at the WWDC conference 

Apple has announced that its iPhone lockscreen is getting a makeover in iOS 16. 

While the current lockscreen has the time and calendar at the top of the screen, users will soon be able to customise their screens with widgets, fonts and wallpapers. 

The update was announced by Apple’s Craig Federighi at the WWDC conference today. 

‘The Lock Screen gets more personal, beautiful, and helpful with iOS 16,’ Apple said.

‘With a new multilayered effect, the subjects of photos are artfully set in front of the time on the Lock Screen, creating a sense of depth. 

‘Users can also change the look of the date and time with expressive type styles and colour choices.’ 

While the current lockscreen has the time and calendar at the top of the screen, users will soon be able to customise their screens with widgets, fonts and wallpapers

Users can choose which widgets they'd like to feature on their lockscreen, replacing where the calendar currently is

Users can choose which widgets they’d like to feature on their lockscreen, replacing where the calendar currently is

What will Apple unveil at the event? 

Apple traditionally uses WWDC to introduce new versions of the software that powers its most popular devices — the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac computers.

But this year there have been suggestions that a range of new products and updates could also be announced:

  • Apple Glasses
  • iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 
  • macOS 13 
  • watchOS 9 / tvOS 16
  • MacBook Air 

The lockscreen update will be launched with iOS 16, which will likely launch next year. 

Users can choose which widgets they’d like to feature on their lockscreen, replacing where the calendar currently is. 

For example, if your step count is most important to you, you can make sure you can see your real-time step count right from the lockscreen. 

Meanwhile, if you like to see how much charge your AirPods have, you can add this widget in. 

‘The Lock Screen features widgets that take inspiration from Apple Watch complications, making it easy to get information at a glance, such as upcoming calendar events, the weather, battery levels, alarms, time zones, Activity ring progress, and more,’ Apple said. 

Users can also customise their wallpaper in iOS 16.

‘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 explained.

Users can simply hold on to different parts of the screen to customise their lockscreen in iOS 16

Users can simply hold on to different parts of the screen to customise their lockscreen in iOS 16

‘Users can also create Lock Screens using their favourite emoji or colour combinations. With multiple Lock Screens, users can switch between their favourites with just a swipe.’ 

Notifications have also been moved in the redesigned lockscreen. 

‘Notifications have been redesigned to roll up from the bottom, ensuring that users have a clear view of their personalised Lock Screen,’ Apple explained.

Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, said: ‘Many of Apple’s Lock Screen updates close the gap with capabilities already available on Android but they will be widely welcomed by iPhone owners overloaded with notifications and wanting more info at a glance.

‘The Lock Screen tools Apple had unveiled for developers will lead to a flurry of app-related widgets appearing in the next twelve months.’