Apple has redesigned the iOS 26 Lock Screen to take full advantage of Liquid Glass, its new unifying UI vision that encompasses all its operating systems. With dynamic fonts, 3D effects, and an animated Now Playing interface, Apple really knocked this one out of the park. Here’s what’s new.
Dynamic clock
Let’s start with the most immediate change: the Lock Screen clock. Apple has replaced the old static layout with one that feels more alive.
The numerals now subtly morph in weight, width, and height depending on your photo, intelligently tucking themselves around subjects using what Apple says is a custom version of the San Francisco typeface.
Parallax effect
Apple is also applying on-device computer vision to generate spatial depth maps from your photos. The result: an almost 3D-like parallax effect that reacts as you move your iPhone.
Animated Now Playing widget
As 9to5Mac had exclusively reported last week, music lovers now get a full-screen Now Playing widget, which gently animates in sync with the playback UI. It’s a small touch, but it makes the Lock Screen feel even more alive and personalized.
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What did you think of the new iOS 26 lock screen? Let us know in the comments.
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