Modify the Lock Screen in iOS 26

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Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to modifying your Lock Screen in iOS 26 — including the newest customization features Apple added (like Liquid Glass clock styles, widget placement, and more): Apple Support+2MacRumors+2i\

📱 How to Modify the Lock Screen in iOS 26

1. Open the Lock Screen Customize Mode

  1. Wake your iPhone so the Lock Screen is visible.

  2. Touch and hold anywhere on the Lock Screen.

  3. Tap Customize to edit the current screen, or tap the + Add New button to create a new Lock Screen. Apple Support

🖼 Choose or Change Your Wallpaper

  • Pick a new wallpaper from your photos or Apple’s categories (People, Pets, Nature, etc.).

  • You can use Photo Shuffle to rotate through selected images.

  • Spatial Scenes — a new 3D style that gives depth to compatible photos — may be available depending on your device. Tom’s Guide

⏱ Customize the Clock

  • Tap the time to change its font style and color.

  • iOS 26 adds a Glass (semi-transparent) option alongside solid styles.

  • You can resize the clock (making it larger) by dragging the small handle at the corner when editing. MacRumors+1

📊 Add and Position Widgets

  • Tap the widget area to add widgets like weather, calendar, fitness, alarms, and third-party widgets.

  • Unlike earlier iOS versions, you can drag the widgets toward the bottom of the screen (just above Quick Actions). MacRumors+1

🔄 Swap Quick Actions

  • The buttons below the Lock Screen (like flashlight and camera) can be replaced with other quick actions:

    • Tap the current control → Remove it → then Add Quick Action to choose a new one. Tom’s Guide

🧠 Link to a Focus

  • Within customize mode, you can link a Lock Screen to a particular Focus mode (Work, Personal, Sleep, etc.).

  • This makes that Lock Screen appear automatically when the linked Focus turns on. Apple Support

🗂 Switch Between Multiple Lock Screens

  • After creating more than one Lock Screen, just touch and hold on the Lock Screen and swipe left/right to switch between them. Apple Support

🗑 Delete a Lock Screen You Don’t Want

  • Touch and hold the Lock Screen → swipe to the one you want to remove → swipe up → tap Delete. Apple Support

💡 Bonus Tips

  • If your clock or widgets look different after updates (e.g., Liquid Glass transparency), you can tweak the style or switch back to a solid look under Customize → Tap Time → Choose Solid (users report this works well to restore contrast). reddit.com

  • In iOS 26.2, Apple added an opacity slider for the Liquid Glass clock to make it easier to read if it’s too faint.