Since the arrival of iOS 16 to the iPhone Apple now you can customize your device lock screen with widgets that can give you a quick look at the weather, steps taken, activity completed that day, and much more, always depending on your preferences.
And not just one lock screen, but you can create as many lock screens as you need with different widget locations on each screen. Even you can link these lock screens to your concentration profiles so that your lock screen widgets and wallpaper are customized for work, personal time, sleep, driving… Fun, right? Let's see it!
Add and remove lock screen widgets
The regular method of viewing your current wallpaper and changing it can also be used to add or remove lock screen widgets, or You can change them on the fly right from the lock screen.
Whether you're using the Settings app or the lock screen itself, the only difference is accessing the editing screen. Once you're there, the process for adding or removing widgets is the same for both.
Access lock screen widgets from settings
To add or remove lock screen widgets, follow these steps:
- First go to the app Settings from the home screen or from the app library.
- You should know that using the Settings app, you can edit widgets just for your current lock screen.
- After that, scroll down to locate and tap on "Wallpaper" from the list to continue.
- This will bring the lock screen editor to your screen from where you can edit all elements including widgets.
You should know that using this method, you can edit the widgets for any of your lock screens, not just the one currently in use.
Make sure your iPhone is unlocked, i.e. just unlock it with Face ID or Touch ID, but don't go to the home screen.
- To access the widget editor directly from the lock screen, touch and hold the lock screen to open the lock screen launcher.
- If you're on the Home screen, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Notification center.
- Then, long press the wallpaper in the notification center.
- Swipe left or right to choose the lock screen you want to edit widgets for.
- After that, tap on the “buttonCustomize now» present at the bottom section of the page to continue.
Editing widgets
Now, no matter which method you used to access the editor, the rest of the process is the same for both.
- Playing widget bar present on the screen to focus attention on it. This will also bring a menu overlay to your screen.
- Then, to remove any widget from the drawer, tap the «-« icon on each individual widget to remove it.
- Once the widget disappears from the drawer, tap the empty space on the lock screen or tap the close button present on the overlay window to confirm.
- In case you want to add a separate widget on the lock screen after removing the widgets already present, scroll and locate the widget you want to add from the overlay window "Add widgets" and tap it to add it to the widget drawer.
- If multiple variants of the widget are available, tap the one you want to add to the drawer or the one you have enough space for.
- Please note that the lock screen only supports four small widgets and two large widgets; You can also create a combination of two and have them on the screen.
- To confirm, tap the empty area of the lock screen or the close button present in the overlay window.
- Now, to save the lock screen layout, press the « buttonDone» present in the upper right corner of the screen.
And that's it, that's how easy you can edit the widgets as you wish on the iPhone.
How to hide widget details from strangers
Users of Face ID or Toch ID enabled phones can put the widget on the lock screen without information in the widget box. This provides a convenient and secure way to access important information at a glance without compromising your privacy. Follow the following steps, it is very simple:
- First click on Settings
- Scroll down the screen to touch Face ID and passcode
- Your phone will ask you to enter an access code or use the user card to go to the next screen
- Now scroll down the screen to the bottom until the Allow access when locked: section appears and then toggle the Lock Screen Widgets switch towards the left side to disable it.
Additionally, you can also Disable Today View widgets on iPhone lock screen. Face ID-enabled Apple mobile users should follow the steps below to disable the Today View lock screen widget for this. Toggle the Today View and Search toggle to the left side to disable it.
Battery
To improve iPhone battery life, you need to remove unnecessary widget from today view screen; This detail will help you extend battery life from your phone.
Removing the widget screen without a passcode is impossible at this time, but you can remove all widgets from the widget screen.
Conclusion
It can be hard to get used to new features, especially when you're used to doing things a certain way for so long. And everyone knows that the lock screen has always been a fixture on iOS. But using the guide above, you can easily edit the widget bar and place the widgets on the lock screen according to your needs and preferences.