Widgets are great. They can provide instant access to important information, so you don’t get sucked into apps. These days, they’re even on your Lock Screen – which is even handier if you use an iPhone Pro with an always-on display. This article looks into how to customize this aspect of your Lock Screen – and then recommends 12 widgets to try.
How to customize Lock Screen widgets
To add Lock Screen widgets, lock your iPhone, tap the display to make it active, and then press it until the customization interface appears. Tap Customize and then on the Lock Screen at the left. You’ll then see borders around three elements at the top of the display. The date itself is a widget. Below the clock is a larger widgets section you can also customize. That one can house up to four 1×1 widgets, two 2×1 widgets, or a combination of both.
Tap either widget slot to view the Add Widgets window. Your iPhone will provide suggestions. Beneath those, you’ll see a scrolling list of apps with suitable widgets for the selected location. In each case, tap to see what’s on offer, and then tap a widget to add it, or drag it into place.
Our picks of Lock Screen widgets for iPhone
Many apps offer Lock Screen launchers – widgets you tap to open the app. Our list focuses on widgets that offer something more. Because this part of the Lock Screen has limited space, we want widgets that add real value. Our favorites are below – all from apps that themselves come recommended.
Air Matters (free): This app focuses on tracking and reporting air quality (including allergens) locally and globally. A 1×1 widget displays a current air quality reading. 2×1 widgets go further, with pollutant details, a multiple-location dashboard, or a graph that shows air quality readings over time.
Carrot Weather (free + IAP): As the most customizable weather app on iPhone, Carrot suitably offers a wide range of widgets. You can mix and match 1×1 widgets that focus on specific readings, or choose larger widgets with extended outlooks or Carrot’s patented mix of forecasts and snark.
Cheatsheet (free or $5.99/£5.99): A notes app based around nuggets of information you need at a moment’s notice, Cheatsheet is ideally suited to widgets. You can replace the date strip with a custom phrase, or install a 2×1 widget that displays three miniature reminders.
Cloud Battery (free or $4.99/£4.99): It’s surprising Apple itself hasn’t yet used iCloud to help you track the charge status of your Apple devices. Still, Cloud Battery fills the void, and its widget lets you put the battery status of two devices front and center.
Dice by PCalc ($1.99/£1.99): If you like playing boardgames but your dice forever go missing, this is a great app. You can also place a working dice right on the Lock Screen – or a virtual coin to flip when you need help deciding on a course of action.
Facebook (free): This one’s an exception to the whole ‘apps we recommend’ thing. But, let’s face it, you’re probably still using Facebook, if only to remember people’s birthdays. And the Lock Screen widget makes that even easier, ensuring you won’t disappoint friends and family.
LookUp ($29.99/£29.99 per year): Part dictionary, part English learning aid, LookUp is impressive – if admittedly pricey. Still, the word of the day widgets are fantastic for learning new words and expanding your vocabulary, and there’s one you can put right on your Lock Screen.
Lumy ($6.99/£6.99): The most beautiful app for tracking the sun and moon is best experienced as the app itself. But when you’re in a hurry, its Lock Screen widgets provide fast access to info, with a next-event option above the clock or countdowns and trackers below.
MusicHarbor ($19.99/£19.99 per year): Apple Music does a solid job of giving you access to your digital music collection, but MusicHarbor is much better for keeping on top of new and upcoming releases. The Lock Screen widget lets you see the next two you’ll soon be dancing away to.
Pretty Progress (free or $14.99/£14.99 per year): This app helps you keep tabs on important dates, by using custom countdown graphs. When one is really important, add it to your Lock Screen as a widget – then you won’t miss that deadline or forget how long it is until a much-needed vacation.
Streaks ($5.99/£5.99): The best habit-tracker on iPhone marries a bright, bold interface with plenty of depth. Its Lock Screen widgets are smartly designed, providing glanceable overviews of your current stats, the next thing to do, or the status of up to five of your tasks.
Widgetsmith (free or $19.99/£19.99 per year): This app is a regular fixture when we talk about widgets, because with it you can really make them your own. Whether you want custom text above the clock or interesting widgets below it, this app will get you there.
