Customize Your Lock Screen with Your Favorite Photos

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.