How to create a custom iPhone Lock Screen

You can personalize your Lock Screen by choosing a wallpaper, showcasing a favorite photo, changing the font of the time, adding widgets, and more.

You can create more than one Lock Screen, switch between Lock Screens, and even link a Lock Screen to a Focus. So, for example, you could set a specific Lock Screen for when you want to focus on work. On iPhone 12 and later, you can even try a spatial scene wallpaper for a 3D effect.

Here’s how to create a custom iPhone Lock Screen.

Edit your Lock Screen or create a new one

1. Press the side button on your iPhone two times.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen and tap the Add New LockScreen Wallpaper button to create a new Lock Screen. (If you don’t see the Add New LockScreen Wallpaper button, touch and hold your Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.)

   To make changes to an existing Lock Screen, swipe to the screen you want to change, then tap Customize.

3. If you’re creating a new Lock Screen, tap one of the wallpaper options. On iPhone 12 and later, you can try a spatial scene for a 3D effect and try options where the time dynamically adapts to your photo wallpaper and notifications.

   Note: If you don’t see a wallpaper option you want to use (for example, Weather or Astronomy), scroll down to see more options, then tap Get below the one you like.

   

4. Here are some ways to customize your Lock Screen (options depend on the wallpaper you choose):
   • Change the look of the clock: Drag the bottom right corner to increase the height and tap the time to change the font, switch to a more transparent look, and more.
   • Add a 3D effect: If you’ve added a photo that supports spatial effects, tap the Spatial Capture button (iPhone 12 and later).
   • Add or change the widgets: Tap your existing widgets or tap Add Widgets.
   • Swap the controls (like the flashlight): Tap the Remove button on one of the controls. Tap the Add Quick Action button.
   • Reposition your photo: Pinch open to zoom in and drag the image with two fingers to move it. Pinch closed to zoom out.
   • Create a multilayered effect: Tap the Depth Effect button. Or if you have a photo that supports layering, tap the More button and choose Depth Effect.
   • Change the style: Swipe left or right to try different color filters.
   • Create a motion effect with a Live Photo: If you select a Live Photo that can be translated into slow motion, tap the Live photo button to play the Live Photo when the device wakes up.
   • Set the shuffle frequency: If you chose Photo Shuffle, tap the photo thumbnail to change the photo selection or change the shuffle frequency by tapping the More button.
   • Switch between a light and dark appearance: If the background you chose has a light mode and dark mode option, tap the appearance button.
5. Tap Add or Done, then choose to Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen.

Link a Focus to your Lock Screen

By minimizing distractions, Focus helps you concentrate on a task. Once you set up a Focus, you can link it to your Lock Screen. Your Focus settings then apply whenever you use that particular Lock Screen, and when that Focus is on, that Lock Screen appears.

1. Press the side button on your iPhone.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper to see the Focus options—for example, Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, and Work.
4. Select a Focus and then tap the Close button.

Switch between Lock Screens

Throughout the day, you can switch between multiple custom Lock Screens you’ve created.

1. Press the side button on your iPhone.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Swipe to the Lock Screen you want to use, then tap it.

Note: When a Lock Screen links to a specific Focus, switching to another Lock Screen changes your Focus too.

Delete a Lock Screen

Delete any Lock Screens you no longer need.

1. Press the side button on your iPhone.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Swipe to go to the Lock Screen you want to delete, swipe up on the screen, tap the Trash button, and tap Delete This Wallpaper.