iOS 26 Offers Full-Screen Animated Album Art on iPhone's Lock Screen

[MacRumors]

The rumor was true: iOS 26 introduces an option to view full-screen animated album art on the iPhone's Lock Screen for certain Apple Music songs.

To enter the full-screen mode, simply tap on the album art in the Lock Screen's music player for the song that is currently playing, and the artwork will expand and become animated, which contributes to a more immersive listening experience.

Animated album art was already visible in the Apple Music app for many popular songs, and now it has come to the Lock Screen for the first time.

Not all songs have animated artwork, but the selection is growing.

This is a nice touch that complements the new Liquid Glass design, which allows background content to shine through the interface elements.

iOS 26 is available now in developer beta, with a public beta to follow next month. The update will be released later this year for the iPhone 11 and newer.

Article Link: iOS 26 Offers Full-Screen Animated Album Art on iPhone's Lock Screen

 

[BMox81]

This will only be good for those tracks/albums where they've created the animated art no? Anything else and it will be as what we currently get..

 

[BJMRamage]

I'd like a comparison to see how much battery is used with those mode on compared to just playing with mini album artwork.

The idea is cool and I thought about that this past year how neat it would be...but then thought it would probably consume a fair amount of battery

 

[whelmedjedi]

Its not working full screen for youtube music. Maybe only apple music.

 

[PiedMyPants]

EU will complain: .. spotify?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I understand a lot of people like animated album art, but I've always kept it disabled. Distracting.

 

[ezilagel]

Wow. A twelve year old Cydia tweak.

 

[fatTribble]

I think this is a good feature that many people will enjoy.

My first thought though is whether we can turn off the Music widget from the Lock Screen. I get songs I’ve never played showing up on my lock screen from time to time. I’d be fine to just unlock and pull up the Music app.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Lots of window dressing but few functional improvements. Lacking advances in AI. Siri better but still lacks control of my iPhone. When I ask Siri to close my
Music app, she tells me how to do it rather than her doing it.

 

[AAPLGeek]

Magical and revolutionary.

 

[JGIGS]

I'd like a comparison to see how much battery is used with those mode on compared to just playing with mini album artwork.

The idea is cool and I thought about that this past year how neat it would be...but then thought it would probably consume a fair amount of battery

I would have assumed this only shows when you tap on your lock screen so as long as the screen is timing out from being locked it would just turn off unless you get a notification or tap the screen again no?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Its not working full screen for youtube music. Maybe only apple music.

Good to hear.
That means I won't be subjected to it.

 

[Lioness~]

I pass the bling-bling, generally.
Not that I have Apple Music though ☺️

 

[Jackbequickly]

Might be skipping the 17PM and hold onto my 16 PM for another year.

 

[jonnyb098]

For the love of any god you pray to …CAN WE JUST GET A BUILT IN SLEEP TIMER IN THE MUSIC APP????

Yes I know you can use the clock app (that’s ridiculous in 2025 when the podcast app has a sleep timer) and it’s even dumber considering how Apple Music advertises sleep sounds, etc.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Magical and revolutionary.

Kind of dramatic snark. I’m not thinking apple meant this to be revolutionary. It’s MacRumors that’s posting this as a headline, not Apple. It’s a UI enhancement to immerse you in your music a bit more. I love this.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

so many new features to turn off

 

[everlast3434]

When I’m listening to music on my iPhone I’m usually sitting there staring at the album art on the Lock Screen so this will be cool.

 

[dampfnudel]

When I’m listening to music on my iPhone I’m usually sitting there staring at the album art on the Lock Screen so this will be cool.

Maybe it will be cool for a couple of minutes.

 

[everlast3434]

Maybe it will be cool for a couple of minutes.

I was being sarcastic. Lol.

 

[svish]

Nice to see this. Hopefully it does not have too much impact on the battery.

 

[BJMRamage]

I would have assumed this only shows when you tap on your lock screen so as long as the screen is timing out from being locked it would just turn off unless you get a notification or tap the screen again no?

that makes sense...not sure why I thought it would continue to display...maybe because it is like a video on screen.

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

For the love of any god you pray to …CAN WE JUST GET A BUILT IN SLEEP TIMER IN THE MUSIC APP????

Yes I know you can use the clock app (that’s ridiculous in 2025 when the past app has a sleep timer) and it’s even dumber considering how Apple Music advertises sleep sounds, etc.

I agree.

 

[code-m]

Does anyone stare at their Home Screen when playing music?; serious question. I mean you have a connected device in your hand and all you can think about is staring at album art. I usually just play music in the background and relax or work or waste time. What next animated icons and pictures like Harry Potter.