Create a custom iPad Lock Screen

You can personalize your Lock Screen by choosing a wallpaper, showcasing a favorite photo, changing the font of the time, adding widgets, and more.

You can create more than one Lock Screen, switch between Lock Screens, and even link a Lock Screen to a Focus. So, for example, you could set a specific Lock Screen for when you’re working.

Personalize a new Lock Screen

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize and appear at the bottom of the screen.
If they don’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Tap to create a new Lock Screen, or to make changes to a Lock Screen, swipe to the screen you want to change, tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
If you’re creating a new Lock Screen, tap one of the wallpaper options to select it as your Lock Screen.
If you choose Photos or Photo Shuffle, see Customize your Lock Screen photo.
Tap the time to change the font, color, and style.
Drag the slider to make the font heavier or lighter (available for solid fonts). To change the time, see Change the date and time on iPad.
To add widgets that include information such as today’s headlines, the weather, and calendar events, tap Add Widgets or the date. In landscape orientation, tap Add Widgets on the left side to add widgets on the left side of the screen. In portrait orientation, tap Add Widgets below the time. You can also add widgets above the time. (See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.)
Tap Add or Done, then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen.
- Choose whether to use the wallpaper on both the Lock Screen and the Home Screen: Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair.
- Make further changes to the Home Screen: Tap Customize Home Screen. Tap a color to change the wallpaper color, tap to use a custom photo, or select Blur to blur the wallpaper so the apps stand out.

Customize your Lock Screen photo

If you choose a photo for your Lock Screen, you can reposition the photo, change the photo style, and more.

Do any of the following:

Reposition your photo: To reposition your selected image, pinch open to zoom in on it, drag the image with two fingers to move it, then pinch closed to zoom out.
Change the photo style: Swipe left or right to try different photo styles with complementary color filters and fonts.
Create a multilayered effect: If you have a photo that supports layering—like an image with people, pets, or the sky—tap at the bottom right, then choose Depth Effect.
Note: The multilayered effect is available on supported models. Layering may not be available if the subject is too high or too low, or if it obscures too much of the clock.
Create a motion effect with a Live Photo: If you select a Live Photo that can be translated into slow motion, tap at the bottom left to play the Live Photo when the device wakes up.
Set the shuffle frequency: If you choose Photo Shuffle, you can preview the photos by tapping , and you can set the shuffle frequency by tapping and then selecting an option below Shuffle Frequency.

Tip: Alternatively, you can add a photo directly from your photo library to your Home Screen and Lock Screen. In the Photos app , tap Library, select a photo, then tap . Scroll down and select Use as Wallpaper, tap Add, then choose whether to show it on both your Home Screen and Lock Screen.

Link a Focus to your Lock Screen

Focus helps you concentrate on a task by minimizing distractions. You can set up a Focus to temporarily silence all notifications, or to allow only specific notifications (ones that apply to your task, for example). By linking a Focus to your Lock Screen, your Focus settings apply whenever you use that particular Lock Screen.

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper to see the Focus options—for example, Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, and Work.
Note: If you don’t see Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper, go to Settings and set up a Focus.
Select a Focus, then tap .

See Set up a Focus.

Edit or change your Lock Screen

After you create a custom Lock Screen, you can make changes to it.

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize and appear at the bottom of the screen.
If they don’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Swipe to the screen you want to change, tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
Tap the time to change the font, color, and style.
To add widgets that include information such as today’s headlines, the weather, and calendar events, tap Add Widgets or the date. (See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.)
Tap Add or Done, then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen.

Switch between Lock Screens

You can create multiple custom Lock Screens and switch between them throughout the day.

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
Swipe to the Lock Screen you want to use, then tap it.

Note: If a Lock Screen links to a specific Focus, switching from that Lock Screen to another also switches your Focus. See Link a Focus to your Lock Screen.

Delete a Lock Screen

You can delete Lock Screens you no longer need.

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
Swipe to go to the Lock Screen you want to delete, swipe up on the screen, tap , then tap Delete This Wallpaper.

Tip: You can switch your Lock Screen automatically by linking a Lock Screen to a Focus, then switching to that particular Focus, which can be automated as well. (See Link a Focus to your Lock Screen.)

Helpful?

iPad User Guide