The basic steps to add a lock screen widget
To add a widget to your iPhone lock screen, long-press the lock screen itself until the customization menu appears, then tap the plus button at the bottom left. Tap the app you want a widget from, choose which widget style you prefer, and tap "Add Widget". The widget will appear on your lock screen immediately.
This works on iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 models. Older iPhones do not support lock screen widgets. You need iOS 16 or later for this feature to work.
You can add up to five widgets to your lock screen at once. If you want more than five, you will need to remove one first or create a separate lock screen style and switch between them.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press your lock screen to enter customization mode, then tap the plus button to add a widget from any app that offers one.
- Not all apps have lock screen widgets — common ones include Weather, Clock, Reminders, Calendar, and Stocks, but you can check what your installed apps offer.
- You can create multiple lock screen styles and swipe between them, each with its own set of widgets.
- Lock screen widgets show limited information and update throughout the day, but tapping them usually opens the full app.
Which apps have lock screen widgets available
Apple's built-in apps are the most common source of lock screen widgets. Weather shows the current temperature and conditions. Clock displays an alarm status or world time. Reminders shows your next task. Calendar displays your next event. Stocks shows market data. Activity rings show your daily progress. Battery shows the charge level of your iPhone and paired devices.
Third-party apps have added lock screen widgets over time, but availability varies. Spotify, Uber, DoorDash, Slack, and Todoist all offer lock screen widgets. To see what widgets an app has, open the app, then go back to your lock screen customization menu and tap the plus button — only apps with available widgets will appear in the list.
If an app you use does not appear in the widget menu, it does not currently offer a lock screen widget. You can still use the app normally; the widget is just an optional shortcut.
How to switch between multiple lock screen styles
You can create up to five different lock screen styles, each with its own background image, time display, and widgets. To create a new one, long-press your lock screen and tap the plus button at the bottom right. Choose a background image or color, customize the time font and color, then tap "Add" to save it.
Once you have multiple lock screens set up, swipe left or right on your lock screen to move between them. Each one keeps its own widgets and appearance. You can also set a different lock screen to appear at specific times or locations using Focus modes — for example, a Work lock screen during business hours and a Personal one after hours.
To delete a lock screen style, long-press the lock screen, swipe left on the one you want to remove, and tap the trash icon.
Rearranging and removing lock screen widgets
To move a widget to a different position on your lock screen, long-press the lock screen to enter customization mode, then press and hold the widget itself. Drag it to a new spot and release. You can arrange them in any order you prefer.
To remove a widget, long-press the lock screen, then press and hold the widget you want to delete. Tap "Remove Widget" from the menu that appears. The widget disappears immediately, and you can add a different one in its place.
If you want to change which widget an app shows, remove the current one and add it again — you will see the option to pick a different widget style from that app during the second addition.
Understanding widget size and information limits
Lock screen widgets are small and show only essential information — a weather widget displays temperature and conditions, not a full forecast. A Reminders widget shows your next task, not your entire list. This is by design, because lock screen space is limited and the widgets update throughout the day without draining your battery too quickly.
Tapping a lock screen widget usually opens the full app so you can see more details or take action. For example, tapping a Calendar widget opens the Calendar app to that day's schedule. Tapping a Reminders widget opens Reminders so you can check off the task or add a new one.
Some widgets are interactive — you can check off a Reminders task or control music playback directly from the lock screen without opening the app. Others are display-only and require you to open the app to make changes.
Troubleshooting widgets that do not appear or update
If a widget is not showing information, first check that the app has permission to access the data it needs. Open Settings, tap Privacy, and look for the permission the widget requires — for example, Location for Weather, or Calendar access for a calendar widget. Make sure the app is toggled on.
If a widget is not updating, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on. After restart, the widget should refresh within a few minutes.
If the widget still does not work, try removing it and adding it again. Long-press your lock screen, press and hold the widget, tap "Remove Widget", then add it fresh using the plus button. If the app itself is outdated, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and check for updates to that app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add widgets to the lock screen on older iPhones?
No. Lock screen widgets require iOS 16 or later, which is available on iPhone 13 and newer models. iPhone 12 and earlier cannot display widgets on the lock screen, though they can still use widgets on the home screen.
What happens if I tap a lock screen widget?
Tapping a widget usually opens the full app so you can see complete information or take action. For example, tapping a Weather widget opens the Weather app to show the full forecast. Some widgets are interactive and let you take action directly — like checking off a Reminders task — without opening the app.
Can I use the same widget on multiple lock screens?
Yes. You can add the same widget to different lock screen styles. Each lock screen is independent, so you can have a Weather widget on both your Work and Personal lock screens if you want.
Do lock screen widgets drain my battery?
Lock screen widgets use minimal battery because they update infrequently and show only small amounts of information. Apple designed them to refresh throughout the day without significantly affecting battery life.
Why is an app not showing up in the widget menu?
The app either does not offer a lock screen widget yet, or it needs permission to access certain data. Check the app's settings to make sure it has the permissions it needs — for example, a weather app needs Location access. If permissions are enabled and the app still does not appear, the developer has not built a lock screen widget for that app.