JamieApple offers numerous options for customizing the Lock Screen on your iPad and iPhone. You can choose from various widgets, wallpapers, and backgrounds to make it uniquely yours.
Apple’s Lock Screen on iPads and iPhones offered only basic information for a long time.
Users could see the date, time, and recent notifications but not much else. However, with the introduction of iPadOS 17 and iOS 16, Apple introduced a range of customization features to enhance the look and functionality of the screen.
Now, there are several ways to personalize the Lock Screen. You can use your photos as the background, receive recommendations for suitable images, and apply various filters.
Additionally, you can show live weather visuals that reflect the current climate, set images of the Earth or Moon that change throughout the day, create tiled emoji patterns, and design simple color-based backgrounds.
Adding widgets allows for more interactive elements and enhances your Lock Screen. If you prefer different wallpapers, simply create several Lock Screen images and switch them out based on your mood.
Users can enjoy a wallpaper that changes with the time of day. Additionally, you can replace the flashlight and camera icons with other controls or apps.
You must install iPadOS 18 or iOS 18 to access these new features. The process for customizing your Lock Screen is consistent across both iPhone and iPad, so you can easily experiment on either device.
Wallpaper Background Set Up
To start, you need to create a new background. Navigate to Wallpaper Settings, then click “Add New Wallpaper.”
Another option is to swipe down from the top left corner of the screen until you see the Lock Screen. Then, long-press on an empty section and tap the + symbol.
This opens up several ways to modify your Lock Screen. The icons at the top allow you to select the wallpaper image, widgets, and other features you’d like to include.
Meanwhile, the categories along the side make picking from predefined widgets and images for your wallpaper easier.
To explore various categories, swipe down the screen. The “Astronomy & Weather” wallpaper presents multiple views of the solar system.
Choose them to view dynamic backgrounds based on local weather conditions. The Kaleidoscope wallpaper showcases vibrant kaleidoscopic patterns in various colors.
Select an Emoji wallpaper to design a tiled background featuring emojis. To change the current emoji, tap the smiley face icon located in the lower left corner, just above the flashlight icon.
You can remove the existing emojis from the row and add your preferred choices instead.
Other notable wallpapers include Pride and Unity, which offer custom widgets and colors. The Color wallpaper allows you to change the background color and adjust the shade.
To start customizing an image, tap an icon at the top for Color, Emoji, Weather, or Astronomy. Then, choose the specific features you want to adjust.
Swipe down from the Add New Wallpaper screen if you’re using iPadOS or iOS 18.
Choose one of the dynamic wallpapers, customize it, and tap Add to apply it to your Lock Screen. This allows your Lock Screen wallpaper to change colors throughout the day.
Custom Widgets for your Lock Screen
When you choose specific images, widgets become prominent. You can select any widget to edit or replace them with others.
For instance, tap the date to change it to different content. To adjust the appearance of the time, simply tap it to modify the font and color.
The widget area will be empty for other images, giving you a clean slate. In this scenario, tap Add Widgets to select your preferred widgets.
You can include as many widgets as possible within the horizontal space. Once you’re done, tap Add to confirm your new wallpaper.
Configure New Wallpaper
When you choose a new wallpaper image, you’ll be prompted to decide whether to use it as a wallpaper pair or customize the Home Screen.
To set it as the wallpaper for both the Lock Screen and Home Screen, click the “Set as Wallpaper Pair” option.
If you’d rather customize your Home Screen, you can adjust various elements. You can modify the color or gradient and apply a blur effect.
Additionally, you have the option to add a photo. Once you’re satisfied with your changes, click Done.
Adding Lock Screen Photos
If you want to personalize your Lock Screen, consider using your own photos. Click the Photos icon at the top to access your photo library.
Choose the image you’d like to use, then swipe right to explore various filters.
Use a pinch gesture to zoom in and out on the image or adjust its position.
Tap the ellipsis icon to activate Perspective Zoom, allowing the wallpaper to shift as you tilt your phone, and enable Depth Effect to add a sense of depth between the background and foreground.
Next, tap on any widgets to edit or swap them out. To select a different image, click the photo icon in the lower-left corner.
Alternatively, you can choose suggested images by tapping the People icon.
