iOS 16 Brings New Lock Screen Personalization Features, Including Widgets

[MacRumors]

As part of its iOS 16 presentation at WWDC today, Apple unveiled an all-new Lock Screen for iPhones that provides users with a wealth of customization options, including the ability to add widgets.

In iOS 16, you can now edit and switch between different styles for your Lock Screen, with the option of applying filters to photos. With a new multilayered effect, the subjects of photos are set in front of the time on the Lock Screen, creating a sense of depth. You can also change the look of the date and time with expressive type styles and color choices.

You can also add custom widgets to the Lock Screen, similar to complications on Apple Watch. Available system widgets include battery levels, alarms, time zones, Activity ring progress, and more.

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 is also bringing Focus modes to the Lock Screen, allowing your iPhone to display a different Lock Screen depending on what you're doing.

Meanwhile, Live Activities is a new feature that helps users stay on top of things that are happening in real time, such as a sports game, workout, ride-share, or food delivery order, right from the Lock Screen

Developers will also be able to tap into the new Lock Screen features using a new WidgetKit system. The developer preview of iOS 16 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, and a public beta will be available to iOS users next month.

Article Link: iOS 16 Brings New Lock Screen Personalization Features, Including Widgets

 

[sniffies]

Please tell me that we can customize the two bottom icons.

 

[_Spinn_]

Love the widgets and Focus Mode changes.

 

[ghostface147]

Please tell me that we can customize the two bottom icons.

Nope. Sorry.

 

[Paradoxally]

Am I the only one who thought this would be a bigger release?

 

[Quackington]

Any chance we’ll get an alarm clock widget for the lock screen? I really missed the clock icon that used to always appear on the top right of the screen to indicate that the alarm was set.

 

[DanteHicks79]

Really wish we could choose which camera app gets launched via the shortcut icon on the lock screen...

Maybe iOS 19?

 

[BJMRamage]

Please tell me that we can customize the two bottom icons.

yes, in iOS 18....or maybe 20

 

[Hkfan45]

Meh. Basically 15.7.

 

[Goodeye]

The widgets and their placement and the look of them give the vibe that they could/would be used on a "always on display". I think there is a good chance of that coming with the iPhone 14 in the fall.

 

[NeoSe7en]

It sounds like we’re going to have to wait for devs to update their widgets to get them to work on the Lock Screen. I wish this would’ve been just automatic.

 

[brett_x]

OMG serif fonts for the screen lock clock. COURAGE!

 

[sonezu]

The widgets and their placement and the look of them give the vibe that they could/would be used on a "always on display". I think there is a good chance of that coming with the iPhone 14 in the fall.

Exactly my thoughts. For me the always on in the next iPhone is confirmed

 

[Jason2000]

Am I the only one who thought this would be a bigger release?

What is everyone expecting. Both Android and iOS are very mature now. Android 13 was no better except for the areas that it is catching up to iOS.

 

[-BigMac-]

Lots of hate here..
I for one reckon the Lock Screen was much overdue for an update. And considering it’s the most viewed screen - I’m pretty pumped for the changes

 

[tgwaste]

Lockscreen will now show you everything!.. Except battery percentage.

 

[alexandr]

Am I the only one who thought this would be a bigger release?

Nope, I was very underwhelmed by this preview.

 

[btrach144]

Honestly, I'm happy. I'm very happy with the HomeKit updates as well.

Maybe I've become used to this being what to expect but there is a lot of hate here yet none of it is constructive.

 

[Hkfan45]

What is everyone expecting. Both Android and iOS are very mature now. Android 13 was no better except for the areas that it is catching up to iOS.

You are kidding, right? Have you used android 13 (or 12) for that matter? This is a joke compared with the flexibility and utility of the latest android

 

[-BigMac-]

You are kidding, right? Have you used android 13 (or 12) for that matter? This is a joke compared with the flexibility and utility of the latest android

Is that why iOS keeps getting far higher ratings year in year out?

 

[Hkfan45]

Is that why iOS keeps getting far higher ratings year in year out?

Ratings? Lol

 

[kvlq]

i wanted just interactive widgets especially for Home app...disappointed.

 

[The Game 161]

Lockscreen will now show you everything!.. Except battery percentage.

You can if you use battery widget on Lock Screen

 

[The Game 161]

The widgets and their placement and the look of them give the vibe that they could/would be used on a "always on display". I think there is a good chance of that coming with the iPhone 14 in the fall.

Yeah the scene is set for AOD and gusssing will dim the screen with what you have in the background

 

[-BigMac-]

Ratings? Lol

You seem to be confused by the word.

Here is a definition for you:

rating
/ˈreɪtɪŋ/
A classification or ranking of someone or something based on a comparative assessment of their quality, standard, or performance.

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