How to Change the Lock Screen on iPhone

To change your iPhone Lock Screen, wake the phone, then touch and hold the Lock Screen. Swipe to a different Lock Screen and tap it to switch, tap Customize to edit the current one, or tap the Add (+) button to make a new one with a different wallpaper, clock style and widgets.

This guide covers iPhone with the current iOS. It follows Apple’s Create a custom iPhone Lock Screen and Change the wallpaper on iPhone guides. Apple notes that the customization options depend on the wallpaper you choose.

How to Create or Edit a Lock Screen

1. Press the side button to show the Lock Screen.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen. If you don’t see the Add button, touch and hold again and enter your passcode.
3. To make a new Lock Screen, tap the Add (+) button and pick a wallpaper. To edit an existing one, swipe to it and tap Customize.
4. Customize the clock, widgets and other options (see below).
5. Tap Add or Done, then choose Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen.

Result: Your new or updated Lock Screen is saved and ready to use. If you don’t see a wallpaper you want, like Weather or Astronomy, Apple says to scroll down and tap Get below it. If an icon you do not recognize shows up on the finished design, see why there is an app icon on your iPhone Lock Screen.

Ways to Customize Your Lock Screen

• Clock: Drag the bottom-right corner to make it taller, then tap the time to change the font or switch to a more transparent look.
• Widgets: Tap your existing widgets or tap Add Widgets.
• Controls: Tap the Remove button on a control (like the flashlight), then tap the Add button to pick a different one. If the light keeps coming on in your pocket, see how to turn off the iPhone flashlight and stop accidental presses. If the Flashlight control has gone missing, see how to get the flashlight back on the iPhone Lock Screen.
• Photo position: Pinch to zoom and drag with two fingers to move the image.
• Style: Swipe left or right to try different color filters.
• Depth Effect: Tap the Depth Effect button for a layered look on supported photos.
• Photo Shuffle: Tap the photo thumbnail to change the photos, or tap the More button to change how often they shuffle.

How to Switch Between Lock Screens

1. Press the side button.
2. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears.
3. Swipe to the Lock Screen you want, then tap it.

Result: That Lock Screen becomes active. Apple notes that if a Lock Screen is linked to a Focus, switching to a different Lock Screen also switches your Focus.

How to Link a Lock Screen to a Focus

1. Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears.
2. Tap Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper.
3. Choose a Focus, like Work or Sleep, then tap the Close button.

Result: Apple says that Lock Screen appears whenever that Focus is on, and your Focus settings apply whenever you use that Lock Screen.

How to Change the Wallpaper From Settings

Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper. Pick a design from the buttons at the top, like Photos, Emoji or Color, or choose a featured set. Tap Add, then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair to use it on both the Lock Screen and Home Screen, or tap Customize Home Screen to give the Home Screen its own look.

How to Delete a Lock Screen

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears. Swipe to the one you want to delete, swipe up on it, tap the Trash button, then tap Delete This Wallpaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I edit my Lock Screen?

If the Add button doesn’t appear when you touch and hold, Apple says to touch and hold again and enter your passcode.

Can I have a different wallpaper on the Home Screen?

Yes. When you finish a Lock Screen, choose Customize Home Screen instead of Set as Wallpaper Pair. You can pick a color, a photo, or blur the wallpaper so your apps stand out.

Related: How to Change or Remove the Picture on Your iPhone Lock Screen and How to Change the Lock Screen Timeout on iPhone. To clean out designs you no longer use, see how to delete a wallpaper on iPhone.