Create a custom Lock Screen

With the arrival of iOS 26, your iPhone has never been so customizable

- DAVID CROOKES

BY NOW, YOU will be used to the fresh look of iOS 26, but you don't have to stick with Apple's default settings. In fact, Apple would like you to flex your creative muscles and personalize your experience. It's why it has developed more customization options than ever — when used well, they can truly separate your iPhone from the crowd.

In this tutorial, we're going to focus on the many changes you can make to the Lock Screen — the display that you see when you wake your device. Here, you can play around with your images by altering their color scheme or by transforming them into layered photos that move when you tilt your device. You can change the size and look of the clock, move some elements, and reposition images so that you're focusing on certain sections. In many ways, you're limited only by your imagination.

PRACTICAL CONCERNS

But it's not just about showing your visual flair; it's also about improved productivity. Your choice of widgets and controls can make a locked iPhone much more useful, getting you straight to the functions you need.

You can also create different Lock Screens for different situations — home, college, or work, for example — or have a Lock Screen tied to a specific Focus. To do this, you simply need to hold down on a Lock Screen, tap Focus, and select an option such as Sleep. Your chosen Lock Screen will then appear when that Focus becomes active.