How to Customize Your iPad Lock Screen

Step by step

1. 15 sec

   Enter the Lock Screen editor

   Wake your iPad and unlock it so you are on the Home Screen or any app. Press the power button to lock the device, then tap the screen to wake it. Long-press on the Lock Screen until the Gallery view appears, then tap the Customize button at the bottom of the screen.

   Note: You must be authenticated with Face ID or Touch ID to enter the editing mode.
2. 1 min

   Select a new wallpaper

   Tap the blue Plus (+) icon to create a new Lock Screen, or swipe left and right to select an existing one. Choose from the curated categories, including Astronomy, Weather, or your own Photos. Tap Add to confirm your selection and apply it to the Lock Screen.

   Note: Use the People category to select photos where the system can automatically place the clock behind your subject.
3. 1 min

   Modify time and date typography

   Tap the time display on your Lock Screen to open the Font & Color menu. Select a font style from the list and use the slider to adjust the weight or character spacing. Tap the color sphere to choose a custom tint for the text.

   Note: Selecting a dark text color against a light background increases legibility.
4. 1 min

   Insert Lock Screen widgets

   Tap the widget frame below the clock to open the widget selector. Tap or drag specific widgets, such as Calendar, Battery, or News, into the available slots. Tap the Close (X) button once your chosen widgets are positioned.

   Note: You can add multiple widgets, but the number of available slots is determined by the widget size.
5. 30 sec

   Save your customization

   Tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen to commit your changes. Choose Set as Wallpaper Pair if you wish to apply the same design to your Home Screen, or select Customize Home Screen to apply a different background or blur effect.

   Note: Changes are saved immediately and synced across devices signed into the same Apple Account.