For over a decade, the iPhone lock screen looked exactly the same for every single user on the planet. The clock sat at the top in Apple’s strict, unchangeable San Francisco font. With recent iOS updates, Apple completely overhauled this philosophy, introducing a deep customization engine that allows you to profoundly personalize the look and feel of your phone before you even unlock it. You can now change the font style of the time, pick custom colors that complement your wallpaper, and even add widgets directly to the lock screen.
Entering the Lock Screen Customization Mode
Unlike most system settings, you do not use the Settings app to change your lock screen. The customization engine is accessed directly from the lock screen itself.
- Pick up your iPhone and wake the screen (by tapping it or pressing the side power button).
- Do not swipe up to go to your home screen. Make sure Face ID or Touch ID has authenticated you (the small padlock icon at the top will open).
- Tap and hold (long-press) anywhere on the empty space of your lock screen wallpaper.
- The screen will zoom out slightly, and a Customize button will appear at the bottom. Tap it.
- You will be asked if you want to customize the “Lock Screen” or the “Home Screen.” Tap the Lock Screen (the one on the left).
Changing the Clock Font and Color
Once you are in the editor, modifying the time display is incredibly intuitive.
- Tap directly on the Time (the large numbers displaying the current hour and minute).
- A “Font & Color” panel will slide up from the bottom of the screen.
- To change the font: Tap through the different font styles available in the top half of the panel. You can choose from thin, modern numerals to thick, bold, stencil-like designs. (You can also tap the globe icon in the top left corner of this panel to switch to Arabic or Devanagari numerals).
- To change the color: Look at the horizontal row of color swatches at the bottom of the panel. Tap a color to instantly apply it to the time.
- If you swipe all the way to the right of the color swatches, you will find a multi-colored circular icon. Tapping this opens a full color picker, allowing you to choose any exact hex code or use an eyedropper tool to perfectly match a color from your background wallpaper.
- When you are satisfied with the look, tap the X in the top right corner of the Font & Color panel to close it.
Saving Your New Design
Your changes are not saved until you explicitly confirm them.
- Tap Done in the absolute top right corner of the screen.
- A pop-up will ask you to confirm your wallpaper pairing. If you want your home screen (behind your apps) to match this new aesthetic, tap Set as Wallpaper Pair.
- The screen will zoom back out. Tap on your newly designed lock screen one final time to exit the editor and return to normal use.