All the iPhone Lock Screen Changes You Might Have Missed in iOS 26

Source Domain: www.cnet.com

Apple released iOS 26 in September, and in addition to new features like call screening, the update also brought more customization options to your iPhone’s lock screen.

When the tech giant released iOS 18 back in 2024, you were given the ability to remove or change the controls on your lock screen — a welcome improvement if you’ve ever accidentally turned on your flashlight while pocketing your phone.

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

Here’s how to bring these changes to your lock screen and what to know about each.

Change the size of your lock screen’s clock

The biggest change iOS 26 brings to your lock screen is the ability to change the size of your clock. The expanded clock takes up about a third of my iPhone 16 Pro’s screen at most, which I love because if I place 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 big clock.

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

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Wallpaper.
3. Tap Customize under the lock screen you want to adjust.

Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Your iPhone will show you that lock screen, and all the adjustable elements will be outlined. Your clock has a thicker tab in the bottom right corner of its outline. Tap and drag this down to expand your clock to your desired size.

Then tap the clock to choose a Glass or Solid design, and adjust the color and thickness. But after changing the size of the clock, you can’t change the font. Only the far left clock font can be expanded for now, but maybe Apple will expand this to other fonts in a future iOS update.

Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Your lock screen’s widget dock can have a new home

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

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