How to Put Widgets on Your iPhone Lock Screen

Your iPhone features lock screen widgets that give you quick access to information about your schedule, the weather, and more. You can even bind these widgets to specific focus modes, so different widgets show (or hide) depending on what you’re doing. These were added in iOS 16.

Using the lock screen gallery

Tap and hold your lock screen to view the lock screen gallery, then tap the “+” sign to add a new lock screen.

Now select a wallpaper to display on your lock screen. Tap the Photos option to use a picture you’ve taken or saved on your device. You can also use emojis, the weather, the position of the planets and more.

Once you’ve chosen your wallpaper, change your lock screen by tapping on the different items. You can tap the date to change the information shown here, which adds more information to the date display, such as B. how much energy you used or upcoming calendar events.

You can also tap the time to select a specific font and color scheme, and swipe left and right on the wallpaper to change how your wallpaper is displayed with filters.

Finally, tap the Add Widgets box to add a single row of widgets to your lock screen.

Selection of widgets

Widgets are similar to the complications on the Apple Watch, some are even identical. These include activity rings and customized weather metrics for air quality, temperature and UV index. Many of these appear as smaller circles, which you can place four of on a single lock screen.

Others are in the form of double-length rectangles, including a more detailed weather forecast, upcoming reminders, headlines, and information about markets and stocks. You can attach two of them or one rectangular and two smaller circular widgets.

If you choose to use widgets, you’re missing out on the ability to use the “depth effect” with your wallpaper. This can be toggled with the ellipse “…” button while adjusting a background image.

This effect allows some elements of an image to be superimposed over the clock for a more dynamic feel. It looks impressive but isn’t particularly useful and widgets are arguably more useful.

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Bind lock screens to focus modes

When selecting a lock screen from the lock screen gallery, tap the focus button to bind the selected lock screen to a specific focus mode. Assuming you’ve already set up focus modes, you can use this to view relevant information while specific focus modes are active.

For example, you can set up a “work” lock screen that triggers during work hours and shows calendar appointments or stock information, a “fitness” lock screen that turns on when you start a workout on your Apple Watch with fitness rings or battery information. and a customized “downtime” lock screen with controls for smart devices around the house and the news headlines.

The lock screen gallery and its widgets are available with the iOS 16 update. If you don’t see these options, make sure you’ve updated your iPhone (and that your device is compatible with iOS 16). Once you’ve updated and set up your lock screen, you can try other iOS 16 features worth your time.

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