The iPhone Lock Screen is changing in iOS 26. You can now move things. Resize things. Tap things. And for the first time in years, it feels like the Lock Screen is something you can actually make your own.
Android users may recognize some of these ideas. But Apple has wrapped them in the same careful design and tight control that makes iOS feel familiar.
It’s not a radical redesign, and it probably won’t lead the update cycle in the fall. But if you’re someone who glances at the Lock Screen dozens of times a day, these tweaks add up.
Here are the biggest changes to the Lock Screen in iOS 26 so far.
You can resize the time
The clock doesn’t have to stay the same size anymore.
When you tap it in Customize mode, a new handle shows up. Drag it, and the numbers grow. If you have widgets, they’ll move down automatically to make space.
This also helps if your Lock Screen photo has a depth effect. The time shifts so it doesn’t block the subject.
Photos now link back to the library
Tap the tiny photo icon in the bottom corner of Customize mode. A new option appears: Show in Library. That jumps you straight to the image in Photos.
You can still choose a new photo from here, but this makes it easier to find or delete the one you’re using without digging through the Photos app manually.
You can move the widgets to the bottom
In iOS 18, widgets sat locked beneath the clock. Now you can drag them lower so they sit above the flashlight and camera buttons.
It’s a small detail, but it makes one-handed use easier, especially on bigger phones. You enter Customize mode, tap the widget area, and drag it where you want it.
Also: iOS 26 just made it easier to switch from Android to iPhone without using a QR code or computer
Music gets animated album art
If you listen to Apple Music, you might see your album art come to life. On the Lock Screen, tap the album image.
If the song supports it, the artwork will expand and animate. This already existed inside the Music app, but this is the first time it’s shown up on the Lock Screen. Apple says that third-party apps, such as Spotify and YouTube Music, will also be able to use it.
Spatial Scenes bring 3D to more iPhones
You no longer need a Vision Pro to view spatial photos. In iOS 26, the Photos app can create a 3D effect from regular 2D shots. It’s not quite as deep or immersive, but it still reacts as you tilt your phone.
This feature is compatible with iPhone 12 and later models. Unlike some iOS 26 features, it doesn’t rely on Apple Intelligence or the latest chips.
The Bottom Line
None of these changes will sell more iPhones. However, they do address minor annoyances that have been present for years.
You now have control over elements that once felt frozen in place. And while that might not sound like much, it’s the kind of everyday polish Apple fans notice and appreciate.
Do these updates finally make the lock screen truly useful for you, or is there still something missing? Let us know your take in the comments
