All the iPhone Lock Screen Changes You Should Know in iOS 26

Apple released iOS 26 in SeptemberThe update brings a set of new features to your device iPhone like Call screening, New ringtones and more. The update also brings more customization options for your lock screen.

When the tech giant released iOS 18 In 2024, the update added the ability to remove or change Controls on your lock screen – A welcome improvement if you’ve done this before Accidentally turn on your flashlight While putting your phone in the pocket.

With iOS 26, you can move Lock screen widgets, increase the size of the clock, and give a 3D spatial effect to your Lock screen wallpaper.

Here’s how to make these changes to your lock screen and what you should know about each one.

---

Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET As Google’s preferred source.

---

Change the size of your lock screen clock

The biggest change that iOS 26 brings to your lock screen is the ability to change the size of your clock. The extended watch takes up about a third of the iPhone 16 Pro’s screen at most, which I like because if I put my phone on a table, I can easily see the time, even without my glasses. But you have to enable what I like to call the big clock.

Here’s how to expand the clock on your lock screen.

1. handle Settings.
2. handle wallpaper.
3. handle Customize Below the lock screen you want to set.

Your iPhone will show you the lock screen and all editable items will be selected. Your watch has a thicker tab in the lower right corner of its layout. Click and drag this down to expand your watch to the desired size.

Next, you can tap on the watch and choose whether you want the watch to have a glass or solid design, and you can adjust the color and thickness of the watch as well. However, after changing the clock size, you cannot change the font. Only the leftmost clock font can be expanded at the moment, but Apple may expand this to other fonts in a future iOS update.

The lock screen widget base could have a new home

Another change that iOS 26 brings to your lock screen is the ability to move the lock screen toolbar. The update lets you place the dock near the bottom of the lock screen, right above the controls.

To move the widgets on the lock screen, go to Settings > Wallpaper And click Customize Below the lock screen you want to set. Next, tap and drag the toolbar to the bottom of the lock screen.

If you expand your lock screen clock, the widget base is automatically placed near the bottom of the screen and you can’t place it anywhere else on your screen.

Spatial effects come to wallpapers

The lock screen wallpaper also has a fun 3D effect that Apple calls Spatial landscape. When enabled, spatial scenes add depth to the elements in your wallpaper — and images — making them appear to pop in front of you. When you move your iPhone around, these items will move as well.

To turn your lock screen wallpaper into a spatial scene, go to Settings > Wallpaper And click Customize Below the lock screen you want to work with. Tap the hexagon near the bottom right side of your screen, and your iPhone will turn your wallpaper into a spatial scene.

It’s important to note that spatial scenes only work with photos and not Apple-provided wallpapers, such as those found within the Weather and Emoji collections.

The controls are getting some color

A very simple change that iOS 26 brings to your lock screen is changing the color of the controls near the bottom of the screen. This change is automatically enabled in iOS 26, so all you have to do is add a color control, or Create your ownto add a touch of color to your lock screen.

Make your lock screen your own

Apple has slowly loosened its grip on your iPhone’s lock screen, giving you more freedom to customize its appearance and how you use it over the years. And iOS 26 is no different.

The ability to expand your watch, move the toolbar to more than one position and the ability to give your wallpaper a 3D effect are just some of the ways iOS 26 lets you create your own experience on your iPhone. These features could be improved — such as giving you more freedom in where you can place your widget base — but I expect Apple to continue adding ways you can customize your iPhone’s lock screen in the future.

For more on iOS 26, here My review of the operating systemHow to reduce Liquid glass Effects in the update and how to enable them Calls and text Scan on your iPhone. You can also check our website iOS 26 cheat sheet.