Customize Your Lock Screen with Your Favorite Photos

Photo by Zalfa Imani on Unsplash

If you saw my post about adding a Photos widget to your Home Screen, you’ll know that I’m a fan of random photo samplers. Starting the day off with my pictures from a forgotten moment, portraits of a loved one, or that special trip is wonderful. It’s a delight that’s both simple and profound,

like discovering an old cafe matchbook at the bottom of a memory box.

Now, since iOS 16.1, you can enjoy that same experience on the Lock Screen itself.

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In order to create one or more new Lock Screens, you just press and hold until the screen resizes to reveal the Customize and the + button at the bottom.

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To edit the photo on your lock screen, just tap the Customize button. You'll be taken to a menu of wallpaper choices that include access to your Photos library as well as many Apple created graphics and photos.

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If you need a little help, Apple offers some suggestions from your Favorites collection. And if you want some variety, Photos will also create some collections that shuffle throughout the day.

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And if that wasn't enough, that Plus (+) button next to Customize lets you add on additional lock screens, each with their own photos and customization. Each lock screen can have 3 widgets and be linked to a Focus setting (i.e. Work, Exercise, Personal, Client, and so on).

I've got to say that I'm having more fun with the Lock Screen customization than I ever thought I would. It's the first thing you see every time you open an iPhone 13 or earlier. And if you have somehow gotten your hands on an iPhone 14 with the Always-on display, just think of the possibilities. Lay it down on the table. Dates. Sales Meetings. Travel. It’s a new take on social media. Could be a great conversation starter.

Just one more way to keep your memories close at hand.

Photo by author.