iOS 16 Lock Screen Widget Lets You Quickly Open Any App

[MacRumors]

A new iOS 16 app lets users open any app of their choice directly from their Lock Screen without ever needing to navigate their iPhone.

The app called "Launchify" lets users configure one or more iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets that directly open any app of their choosing. Users can create a widget to quickly open Messages, Twitter, the Phone app, or Apple or Google Maps, for example.

While iOS 16 includes a redesigned Lock Screen with new customization features, Apple does not allow users to replace the flashlight and Camera app shortcuts with custom apps. Users can, however, customize a wide range of visual elements on the Lock Screen, including the font and color of the time, custom wallpapers with a depth effect, and more.

Launchify is available for free on the App Store but features an in-app subscription that enables more advanced features, such as adding more than one app shortcut on the Lock Screen.

Article Link: iOS 16 Lock Screen Widget Lets You Quickly Open Any App

 

[oMc]

I have an idea, we could place these four widgets at the bottom of the screen and call it a dock.

 

[Wokis]

Subscription model for an “advanced version” of this, really?

 

[hirsthirst]

cool - why didn't Apple do this? widgets are quite limited so far ...

 

[Ridge Racer]

Yet another app where the AppStore description fails to mention anywhere what the limits of the 'free' downloaded version are and what you get with the in-app subscription.

Surely it should be an AppStore requirement that developers are up-front about what the app offers, its (free) limitations and what in-app subscriptions actually give you? Having to download an app just to find out this basic information is very annoying.

 

[arkitect]

Useful app… but I wish Apple had included this as standard.

 

[Saturnine]

This is a perfect example of a piece of software offering a subscription where it's entirely not necessary. If you want to use this app and are perfectly happy with the functionality it offers today, there should be an option to purchase it outright.

I understand that developers want to be paid for the ongoing development of their software and that makes sense if there are new features to be added in future. But when you're buying a set of features that are already there and you're happy to live with them perpetually, let's see a standard purchase option.

 

[Hermes Monster]

Yeah I’m not paying £17 per year for this. It’s useful, but not THAT useful and I can’t even get the free version to work …

 

[NightFox]

Subscription model for an “advanced version” of this, really?

Because this way they can still offer something functional for free whilst making it worth their while from subscription earnings.

I'm sure there will be plenty of alternatives offering similar functionality appearing over the coming months.

 

[kirkmc]

No, you can't launch "any" app. I only see a list of apps that use a URL callback scheme. Also, a subscription? Fuggedaboutit.

 

[NJRonbo]

I don't do subscription apps. Developers have become too greedy.

 

[Nozuka]

Absurd subscription price for what it does.

 

[Wokis]

Because this way they can still offer something functional for free whilst making it worth their while from subscription earnings.

I'm sure there will be plenty of alternatives offering similar functionality appearing over the coming months.

You make it sound like it was the only way? Like @Saturnine mentioned. The problem isn't that they're asking for money in some form. It's that an app that likely should have very low developer investment long-term is going for a subscription model. It's greedy.

I do indeed expect many alternatives to come soon and make this one look wholly unattractive.

 

[owaint]

Just get lock launcher for 0.89 as a one off payment

‎LockLauncher Lockscreen Widget

‎LockLauncher is the best Lock Screen Widget Builder. Create your own Lock Screen widgets and actions using symbols, app icons, and custom images. Each widget can open any URL you want; there is a list in the app to select from and you can add your own if you wish. For example: - Select an app...

apps.apple.com

 

[ChrisKitz24]

Stupid to charge a monthly or yearly fee for something such as a ONE TIME purchase as this. If they need to make some money then maybe they should charge a nominal fee like 99¢ or $1.99 for the app as it is. This “Launchify” app isn’t even new.

I’m currently going to test this App as the In-App purchase is currently offered for FREE, yes you read that right!

 

[The Game 161]

I’m using lock launcher. using just one widget for that so it’s free. Got it going to sport alerts

 

[contacos]

Not a bad idea but I quickly came to realize that I simply don’t spent and time whatsoever on the Lockscreen (especially since I have an Apple Watch) so I have no use for these widgets. I guess it makes more sense on an always on display.

I prefer having the depth effect of my wallpaper, which gets removed as soon as you add a widget

 

[vikingjunior]

Isn't people's most frequent used apps on their home screen, what does this do, save 1.1 seconds.

 

[Kissmo1980]

Aaaaaa. I want that wallpaper

 

[PixelsMaster]

I need to learn app development so I can get featured on MacRumors and start earning passive income.

 

[bLackjackj]

I don't even get how this works. Yes, it uses a URL callback, However I tested using the Mail app as the goto app and the only icon I see in the widgets is for the launcher itself! Does it actually work??

 

[dohspc]

I have used an app called Launcher before iOS 16 and they just updated to allow app launching from the home screen.

‎Launcher with Multiple Widgets

‎Launcher is the original app launching widget -- and still the best! Launcher 5 allows you to customize your iPhone or iPad in ways you never could before. On iOS 16+ Launcher brings its powerful widgets to your iPhone Lock Screen in addition to our existing Home Screen widgets. Top 10...

apps.apple.com

 

[The Game 161]

Isn't people's most frequent used apps on their home screen, what does this do, save 1.1 seconds.

my use case if I wanted to check NBA in the night or to quickly bring up the football. for other apps not so much But still nice to have the option.

 

[maneta]

I just used LockLauncher and it turns out working really well. Also the subscribtion was 0.00 $ for 4 widgets. Go for it

 

[The Game 161]

I have used an app called Launcher before iOS 16 and they just updated to allow app launching from the home screen.

‎Launcher with Multiple Widgets

‎Launcher is the original app launching widget -- and still the best! Launcher 5 allows you to customize your iPhone or iPad in ways you never could before. On iOS 16+ Launcher brings its powerful widgets to your iPhone Lock Screen in addition to our existing Home Screen widgets. Top 10...

apps.apple.com

nice, looks better than the rest and works well.