How to Automatically Change iPhone Lock Screen

Apple iPhone lock screen got a major overhaul with iOS 16. Besides clock customization, wallpaper packs and widgets on lock screen , iOS 16 has another trick to allow users to automatically change the lock screen. You can configure iOS to change the lock screen based on time and location. Read on to find out how.

Apple introduced Focus (an enhanced DND) with iOS 15 on iPhone. The company has integrated the same with lock screen and home screen in iOS 16. For example, you can link a Focus profile to a specific lock screen and home screen and use the Focus automation to change lock screen and home screen layout.

Why do you need to change iPhone lock screen automatically

Apple does not support different profiles (work, business, personal, etc.) on iPhone. By linking Focus to a lock screen and home screen, you can customize your app and widget preferences based on time and location. For example, you can set Work Focus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and keep work widgets and a simple lock screen wallpaper. After 5 p.m., you can use Personal Focus and switch to a lock screen with personal photos and social media widgets.

Update iPhone to iOS 16 Software

iOS 16 is available in public beta. You can sign up for the Apple Public Beta program and try out new features before Apple makes it available to consumers this fall. Once iOS 16 is released, you can install it by following the steps below.

Step 1: Launch Settings on the iPhone.

2nd step: Scroll down to the General menu.

Step 3: Open ‘Software Update’ to download and install iOS 16.

Create Multiple Lock Screens on iPhone

To mix between a fixed set of lock screen options, you’ll need to create more than one. Here’s how to create multiple lock screens on your iPhone to change them automatically.

Step 1: Press the side button and unlock with Face ID authentication.

2nd step: Don’t jump to the home screen. Long press on the lock screen, select the + icon in the lower right corner or swipe left to create a new lock screen.

Step 3: Customize new lock screen with wallpaper, app widgets and clock style.

You can read our dedicated guide to customize iPhone lock screen to learn all the tips and tricks. You should create multiple lock screens based on your preferences.

Create Multi-Focus and Link Lock Screen on iPhone

iPhone offers different focus profiles: Do Not Disturb, Driving, Personal, Sleep, and Work. You can also create a new specific Focus according to your needs. Check out our dedicated guide to creating a custom Focus on iPhone.

You will need to create an automation for Focus that you intend to use with the lock screen. We’ll show you how to create an automation for Personal and Work Focus and link it to your lock screen created on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open Settings on the iPhone.

2nd step: Select “Debug”.

Step 3: Choose Work.

Step 4: Tap “Choose” under the lock screen.

Step 5: Tap the radio button under your preferred lock screen and tap the Done button.

Step 6: Select ‘Add automation.

Step 7: Select “Time”.

Step 8: Set your ideal working hours and choose the days of the week.

Once your working hours have started, iOS will enable Work Focus and change the related lock screen.

Let’s share another example with Personal Focus.

Step 1: Access the Focus menu in iPhone settings (refer to the steps above).

2nd step: Select Personal Focus.

Step 3: Choose your lock screen (as shown in work focus above). Select “Add Automation” from the same menu.

Step 4: Select “Location”, set your home address in the next menu, then press the Done button.

That’s it. iOS will automatically turn on Personal Focus every time you get home and change the associated lock screen.

You can create a custom home screen from the same Focus menu. You should keep work apps and widgets during Work Focus and replace them with similar social media apps and widgets in Personal Focus. You can also assign focus to a specific item from the lock screen. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the lock screen customization menu (refer to the steps above).

2nd step: Press Focus as shown in the screenshot below. Link your favorite Focus in the bottom menu.

Enable lock screen automation

You can create multiple lock screens and link the Focus to a specific lock screen. Don’t forget to create an automation in Focus to automatically change the lock screen and home screen layout on iPhone. How do you plan to use the lock screen automation trick on your iPhone? Share your routine in the comments below.