How to create a customizable fitness interface in iOS 16

You may have different focus modes for different activities – like work, fitness, etc. – and Apple now allows you to set your wallpaper not only on your iPhone but also on your Apple Watch to match whichever focus mode you have active. With these options, you can now customize your device’s look while displaying specific information when you activate a specific mode.

Before delving into the customization aspect of your Fitness Focus mode, it’s a good idea to make sure the changes are synced across all your devices once you’ve turned them on. Here’s how to do that.

1. Go in settings
2. Choose “Focus”
3. Navigate among all the focus modes you have created “Share across devices”
4. Toggle this option ON

If you enable this option, all your devices will seamlessly switch to the focus mode you set. This allows you to have a smooth experience across all your devices when you only want to see specific information in a specific focus mode.

How to set a fitness-based Focus iPhone background

Before setting everything up and connecting it to run automatically when you start a workout, you need to configure your fitness lock screen.

How to configure your lock screen to customize it for your workout needs.

1. Press and hold the lock screen until you enter customization mode Therefore
2. Tap the plus sign at the bottom right of the screen or swipe to the bottom of your lock screen selection and tap “Add new”
3. Select the photo and text font that you want to present during training
4. Beat “Add widget” under the clock to get a variety of widgets to choose from. Since this wallpaper corresponds to the fitness focus mode, adding the activity widgets would be the most ideal.
5. Choose “Finished” when you are done creating your background image.

There are two ways to connect your wallpaper to fitness focus mode.

1. open that Lock screen customization Menu
2. Tap on “Focus” under the wallpaper you want to set
3. Choose “Fitness” to set this background when you start this focus mode

1. Go in settings and select focus
2. Beat “Fitness”
3. Then tap “Choose” under the iPhone icon in the customize screens section
4. Select the background you created and it will be set to focus mode

Now that you’ve fully set up your lock screen, it can give you important information at a glance through the widgets you choose and provide you with the background you want to promote during your workout.

When you’re done with the workout of your choice, Focus Mode will automatically turn off and go to your neutral lock screen, which is set when no Focus Mode is active.

While the lock screen is the screen you might be looking at more often (to see the time or your progress on your activity rings), the home screen can also be set and customized specifically for Fitness Focus mode.

You can choose the currently used home screens (or the ones you have hidden) or choose from pre-made ones that your device offers when choosing. This allows you to select specific home screens to set.

1. Go in settings and select focus
2. Choose fitness from the list of focus modes you created
3. Choose “Choose” under the home screen icon (the middle icon) under the customize screenssection
4. Select the home screens to set when Fitness Focus mode is on
5. Choose “Finished” top right when done

Three different screens that you can customize

When you’re done, only the selected home screens are available in Fitness Focus mode.

Depending on the widgets and apps you have on your home screen, entering, tracking and viewing your fitness data has never been easier. This can help you keep pushing to reach your goals and stay on track on your fitness journey.

You can change and customize what you see on the home screen(s) at any time, even when focus mode is active.

How to set a fitness-based Focus Apple Watch wallpaper

The Apple Watch is the best companion for the iPhone while exercising. When you use your Apple Watch to track your workouts, it automatically turns on fitness focus mode.

Before beginning your workout(s), make sure you set up the watch face and builds you prefer for your workout(s). How to choose and set up your watch face.

1. Go to the View app on your iPhone
2. Choose “face gallery” bottom center of the screen
3. Select the face watch you want to set while exercising (the activity area is primarily the best face for workouts. Nike+ watch faces are also available with watchOS 9).
4. Configure your watch face with the builds you want to show (depending on how many complications you can add, showing the progress of your activity rings, your heart rate, and other fitness metrics you’ve synced to your watch might be most ideal). .
5. Go in settings and select “Focus”
6. Tap the fitness focus
7. Under customize screenschoose “Choose” below the Apple Watch icon (the last one on the right)
8. Select the watch face you just created (it’s the last watch face in the list).

Switch from one Apple Watch face to another

Now that you’ve selected the watch face you want to use when exercising, your Apple Watch will automatically switch to that watch face when you start exercising.

When you stop exercising, focus mode turns off and your original watch face is set.

Staying active and taking care of your health isn’t always the easiest task, but with the help of the iPhone, the Apple Watch and – especially – Focus mode, it becomes much easier and more intuitive.

Being able to focus on one category in your life makes it easier for you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself when you are in them. Fitness Focus mode coupled with the customized and bespoke lock screen, home screen(s) and Apple Watch face you have created and chosen can help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself. It really is a game changer and a great tool to use.

iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will be available on September 12, 2022.