One of the major changes with today\u2019s launch of iOS 16 is the ability for users\u2019 to now personalize their Lock Screen with widgets, in addition to adding widgets to the Home Screen, which had rolled out in iOS 14. However, outside of built-in widgets for Apple\u2019s first-party apps like Calendar, Clock, Fitness, Home, News, Reminders, and others, this new feature relies on developer adoption. Fortunately, a number of app developers have worked to make their apps iOS 16-ready on launch day, having seemingly understood the power that comes from earning a place in this key iPhone real estate.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking to customize your overall iPhone theme, or you have a more specific goal in mind \u2014 like keeping up with your workouts or emails, for instance \u2014 there are already quite a few apps going live today that can help you personalize your device\u2019s Lock Screen using widgets. These widgets come in three sizes: circular, rectangular and inline. The first two appear below the clock on the Lock Screen, while inline widgets sit as a line of text and\/or symbols above. But it\u2019s up to the developers which widgets they choose to support.<\/p>\n
To add the widgets, you just press and hold on your Lock Screen after updating to iOS 16 then tap the \u201cCustomize\u201d button. From this edit mode, you can then tap the row where you want to add or swap out widgets. This will pull up a window that lists the available widgets you can add.<\/p>\n
Likely, Lock Screen widgets will mainly appeal to an app\u2019s most loyal customers and to those who already spend time customizing their device\u2019s look and feel on a regular basis with other personalizations, like custom icons and Home Screen widgets.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve taken a look at some of the iOS 16-ready apps that have today introduced support for Lock Screen widgets, and compiled the list below with a few recommendations. Over time, there will be many more apps that update to include widgets, but whether sizable user adoption will follow still remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
Personalization widgets<\/h3>\n\n- Motivation<\/strong>: This motivational quotes widget saw 500,000 downloads in a day when iOS Home Screen widgets first launched. Now it will allow users to add those same motivational quotes to their Lock Screen in different widget sizes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Image Credits:<\/strong> Motivation app<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- I am:<\/strong> Made by the same company as Motivation, this variation includes only positive affirmations designed to disrupt self-doubt, many of which begin with the text \u201cI am.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/iam-widget.jpg\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> I am app<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- Launcher<\/strong>: This custom widget maker tool is expanding beyond its interactive Home Screen widgets to now allow users to add widgets to their Lock Screen which let you do things like run shortcuts, play music, contact people, or run any app. It will also support Watch Face Widgets on watchOS 9.<\/li>\n
- Themify<\/strong>: Another Home Screen personalization app that\u2019s updated with support for iOS 16 features, including the Depth Effect wallpapers and Lock Screen widgets offering inspirational quotes.<\/li>\n
- Widgetsmith<\/strong>: One of the most popular Home Screen widget customization apps has expanded to now support the iOS 16 Lock Screen, giving users the ability to design their own text, circular or rectangular widgets using a variety of options, themes, symbols, photos, and other widget types \u2014 similar to how you can build your own Home Screen widgets. A must-have for true customizers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nWidgetsmith\u2019s iOS 16 update is approved and ready to go for Monday. Lock Screen widgets, redesigned editor, image content isolation, powerful tools & URL triggers. <\/p>\n
If you are press\/influencer\/super fan and want to get a sneak peek, here\u2019s a TestFlight: https:\/\/t.co\/20XnZlsLZo pic.twitter.com\/7U6MvTs769<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 David Smith (@_DavidSmith) September 10, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n- Livepic<\/strong>: (to become MyScreen): A customization app that had before focused on Live Wallpapers and Home Screen themes will update following iOS 16\u2019s release in around a week\u2019s time (Sorry, this one is delayed!). It will deprecate Live Wallpapers in favor of Depth Effect Wallpapers with its iOS 16 update, and will change its name to \u201cMyScreen,\u201d as a result. The app will also add a new \u201cLock Screen Pack\u201d feature that contains several elements designed to work together, including wallpapers, widgets, charging animations, and more. It\u2019s also adding a Photo Shuffle feature that lets you configure how often you shuffle between your favorite Lock Screen photos. Each pack has up to 20 images with a similar design, theme, or color scheme.<\/li>\n
- Lock Screen Icon widget<\/strong>: A WWDC\u201920 Swift Student Challenge Winner, Rihab Mehboob, has designed a very simple Lock Screen widget that lets you customize your screen with icons and text, as well as another<\/a> for contacting favorite people with messages or FaceTime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nI\u2019ve been making another Lock Screen widget app \ud83d\ude07<\/p>\n
Display icons and text above\/below the clock to personalize your Lock Screen! pic.twitter.com\/od2Yj4QaBF<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Rihab Mehboob (@elohohel) July 27, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nTravel<\/h3>\n\n- TripIt<\/strong>: This often-used travel app is adding Lock Screen widgets that will display the most relevant details for a user\u2019s trip or activity, including things like the upcoming trip or plan (eg. the flight, train, hotel, etc.), the relevant flight information, and the post-landing details, like a car reservation or hotel booking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/TripIt_lockscreen-add.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> TripIt<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/1663008451_199_flighty-app.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> Flighty<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWork\/Productivity<\/h3>\n\n- Things<\/strong>: The popular task manager app is bringing your \u201cto do\u201d list to the Lock Screen. The company made three new Lock Screen widgets, a Lists widget that puts your to-do\u2019s directly on your phone\u2019s screen \u2014 including either today\u2019s to-do\u2019s, your inbox, deadlines or others. Meanwhile, the \u201cNew To-Do\u201d widget lets you tap to launch the app and add a new item, while the Progress ring widget lets you quickly see how many of your to-do items you\u2019ve completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PastedGraphic-3.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> Things<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- Readdle<\/strong>: This company\u2019s longtime PDF app for iPhone, PDF Expert, will introduce Lock Screen widgets for quick access to recent and favorite files, jumping into an audio player, or syncing files to your computer. Its Documents and Calendars apps will also embrace the Lock Screen with widgets for recent and favorite files, tasks and events, to-dos and other features. And its Scanner Pro app will let you start a scan or visit your scans library from the Lock Screen.<\/li>\n
- Todoist<\/strong>: This popular to-do list app and task manager added a variety of iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets for quickly adding tasks, keeping up with task goals and other productivity stats.<\/li>\n
- GoodLinks<\/strong>: This $4.99 read-it-later app updated for iOS 16 with support for a range of features, including Focus Filters, App Shortcuts and Lock Screen widgets that let you access a list or a tag or open an random unread link.<\/li>\n
- LookUp:<\/strong> This English dictionary app had already offered more than just definitions with features like Word of the Day, quizzes, translations and more. With iOS 16, it\u2019s adding Lock Screen widgets including a glanceable Word of the Day, quick access to Search (so you can look things up without unlocking your iPhone), and a Learn widget for growing your vocabulary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nLookUp\u2019s Lock Screen widgets focus on three areas of the app: <\/p>\n
1. Glanceable Word of the Day information<\/p>\n
2. Quick access to Search: especially useful when you\u2019re reading and don\u2019t need distractions.<\/p>\n
3. A Learn Widget that shows your vocabulary building progress. pic.twitter.com\/8cnhLmjCdJ<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Vidit Bhargava (@viditb) September 12, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n- Google<\/strong>: We should note that Google today promised iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets for key apps like Search, Chrome, Gmail, Maps, and more, but it doesn\u2019t have them available on launch day, saying instead they\u2019ll roll out in the \u201ccoming weeks.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cooking<\/h3>\n\n- Pestle<\/strong>: This recipes app will update for iOS 16 with features like Siri Shortcuts, support for \u201cShared with You\u201d to incorporate recipes sent over iMessage, as well as Lock Screen widgets. Its new widgets will include one that shows a user their meal plan, as well as Live Activity widget when iOS 16.1 releases later this fall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n\u2728 Pestle Live Activities on iPhone 14 Pro \u2728<\/p>\n
Live Activities will be coming to all iOS 16.1 devices, not just the 14 Pro, and it\u2019ll be awesome. pic.twitter.com\/ZK3DG53nLt<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Will Bishop (@WillRBishop) September 8, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nWeather<\/h3>\n\n- CARROT Weather:<\/strong> This award-winning weather app has already made a name for itself with its great design, feature set, and the humor it brings to something as typically straightforward as a weather forecast. Now it\u2019s adding<\/a> over 20 customizable Lock Screen widgets that will allow users to view the weather, daily and hourly forecast and even CARROT\u2019s jokes without unlocking your iPhone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Health & Fitness<\/h3>\n\n- Personal Best:<\/strong> This fitness tracking app is rolling out a big update for iOS 16 that includes new features like heart rate zones, new workout icons, and more in addition to its Lock Screen widgets that help you keep track of your latest workouts and their details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/personal-best.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> Personal Best<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- SmartGym<\/strong>: Along with plans for Live Activities support in a later release, this fitness app is adding iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets offering a weekly summary, heart rate and calorie charts, and a way to track how many workouts you\u2019ve done. The widgets come in multiple shapes and sizes, as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/smartgym-widgets.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> SmartGym<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- Empirical Sleep:<\/strong> This iPhone sleep tracker works with Apple Watch to help users analyze their sleep patterns, including by integrating its data with the iOS Health app. The app looks at three main metrics \u2014 sleep onset, duration and quality \u2014 and makes recommendations for better sleep. With iOS 16, Empirical Sleep is updating with a new \u201csleep stages\u201d support supported by watchOS 9, new watchface complications and iPhone Lock Screen widgets that will display the three sleep stages it tracks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/empirical-sleep.png\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> Empirical Sleep<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- Gentler Streak:<\/strong> This personalized workout tracker app is introducing three sizes for its Lock Screen widgets which allow you to track your activity status using simple iconography along with motivational support.<\/li>\n
- Dark Noise:<\/strong> This $9.99 white noise app lets you easily access ambient sounds for sleeping, focus, relaxing and more. With iOS 16, the app lets you add a shortcut to your favorite sound right on the Lock Screen.<\/li>\n
- WaterMinder, FitnessView and Calory:<\/strong> From the same developer, this hydration tracker, fitness tracker and calorie tracker have all been updated with iOS 16 with Lock Screen widgets that let you keep your eye on your various health metrics without unlocking your phone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Utilities<\/h3>\n\n- CardPointers:<\/strong> This iOS app helps you find the right credit card to use in order to maximize your bonuses when you make a purchase. With iOS 16, it\u2019s launching a new version that adds support for a range of new features, like Focus Filters, Passkeys, App Shortcuts, Shared with You and more, as well as a set of Lock Screen widgets. Because the app automatically creates thousands of App Shortcuts, there are a lot of possible Lock Screen widgets available, as well. The app supports 2 variants \u2014 one that shows you the best card to use at any store or category of purchase; and another for tracking expiring points and offers to help you save money.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cardpointers.jpg\")
<\/p>\nImage Credits:<\/strong> CardPointers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n- Speedy:<\/strong> This dedicated app allows you quickly message, call, text a contact from the Lock Screen, or even message with FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. The app doesn\u2019t require additional permissions to work and will remain free as the developer expects this to be a crowded space.<\/li>\n
- Scanner Live:<\/strong> This new iOS scanning app helps users scan, sign, edit, annotate and export PDFs from its app. With iOS 16, you can also add scanning shortcuts to the Lock Screen in the form of either a Live Scan or Classic Scan widget.<\/li>\n
- Clendar:<\/strong> This $0.99 minimalist calendar app is rolling out its iOS Lock Screen widgets<\/a> for keeping up with your appointments.<\/li>\n
- Pretty Progress App<\/a>:<\/strong> This app which already delivered templated countdowns, timers and progress bar widgets to the Home Screen is now adding Lock Screen widgets as well with the iOS 16 update, in addition to support for syncing with iCloud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong> Motivation app<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> I am app<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Widgetsmith\u2019s iOS 16 update is approved and ready to go for Monday. Lock Screen widgets, redesigned editor, image content isolation, powerful tools & URL triggers. <\/p>\n If you are press\/influencer\/super fan and want to get a sneak peek, here\u2019s a TestFlight: https:\/\/t.co\/20XnZlsLZo pic.twitter.com\/7U6MvTs769<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 David Smith (@_DavidSmith) September 10, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019ve been making another Lock Screen widget app \ud83d\ude07<\/p>\n Display icons and text above\/below the clock to personalize your Lock Screen! pic.twitter.com\/od2Yj4QaBF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rihab Mehboob (@elohohel) July 27, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> TripIt<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Flighty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Things<\/p>\n<\/div>\n LookUp\u2019s Lock Screen widgets focus on three areas of the app: <\/p>\n 1. Glanceable Word of the Day information<\/p>\n 2. Quick access to Search: especially useful when you\u2019re reading and don\u2019t need distractions.<\/p>\n 3. A Learn Widget that shows your vocabulary building progress. pic.twitter.com\/8cnhLmjCdJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vidit Bhargava (@viditb) September 12, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n \u2728 Pestle Live Activities on iPhone 14 Pro \u2728<\/p>\n Live Activities will be coming to all iOS 16.1 devices, not just the 14 Pro, and it\u2019ll be awesome. pic.twitter.com\/ZK3DG53nLt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Will Bishop (@WillRBishop) September 8, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Personal Best<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> SmartGym<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Empirical Sleep<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> CardPointers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cooking<\/h3>\n
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