Quick Answer
iOS 18's headline Lock Screen change is that the two controls at the bottom, the flashlight and camera by default, can be swapped for other controls such as Timer or Calculator, or removed. Apple's redesigned controls gallery also includes controls from third-party apps. Widgets, multiple Lock Screens and Focus links were already there and carry on in iOS 18.
What changed on the iPhone Lock Screen in iOS 18?
The Lock Screen change Apple lists for iOS 18 is customizable bottom controls. In its What's new in iOS 18 page, Apple says you can "swap out the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen for other options—like Timer or Calculator." You can also remove both controls, or give each of your Lock Screens a different pair, so a Work Lock Screen might carry Timer and a Travel one Translate.
Two other iOS 18 changes reach the Lock Screen. The redesigned Control Center has a controls gallery that, per Apple, includes "controls from your favorite apps," and those same controls can sit at the bottom of the Lock Screen. And apps you lock or hide stay private: Apple says information in locked or hidden apps "won't appear in other places on your iPhone, such as notifications and search." On iPhone 16e with iOS 18.3 or later, a Lock Screen control can also start visual intelligence.
What iOS 18 doesn't offer is a way to write your own text onto the wallpaper itself; widgets such as Reminders show items in a compact widget slot. If you want a to-do list in large type, visible every time you pick up the phone, NoteWall (an iPhone app we make) renders the notes you type into your wallpaper through an Apple Shortcut named "Set NoteWall Wallpaper". That Shortcut step takes some patience the first time; NoteWall's site puts first-time setup at about 2 minutes, and a subscription is required. Our guide to putting notes on your iPhone Lock Screen compares it with widget-only options.
How do you change the Lock Screen controls in iOS 18?
You replace a control from the Lock Screen's own Customize mode, not from Settings. These steps follow Apple's iPhone User Guide for iOS 18:
- 1
Press the side button twice to go to the Lock Screen, then touch and hold it until Customize appears at the bottom. If it doesn't appear, touch and hold again and enter your passcode.
- 2
Tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
- 3
Tap the remove button on one of the two controls at the bottom, then tap the add button to open the controls gallery.
- 4
Tap a control in the gallery, such as Timer, Calculator or a control from an app you use, to put it in that slot.
- 5
Tap Done at the top of the screen, then tap the Lock Screen to finish.
Tip from Apple's guide: customize the controls on one Lock Screen, then link a Focus to that Lock Screen, so a Work Focus brings work controls with it.
What can you add to the iOS 18 Lock Screen?
Beyond the new controls, an iOS 18 Lock Screen can show a wallpaper or photo, a restyled clock, a row of widgets and Live Activities. Apple's guide summarizes it as "choosing a wallpaper, showcasing a favorite photo, changing the font of the time, adding widgets, and more." All of it is edited from the same Customize screen:
- •
Widgets. Tap Add Widgets, the date, or the field below the time. Lock Screen widgets are interactive: Apple's example is that you can "tap an item in the Reminders widget to check it off" without unlocking.
- •
Clock style. Tap the time to change its font and color; a slider makes solid fonts heavier or lighter.
- •
Photo effects. With a photo wallpaper you can choose Depth Effect on supported models, play a Live Photo when the iPhone wakes, or use Photo Shuffle with a set shuffle frequency.
- •
Live Activities. Sports scores, order updates and Now Playing controls appear on the Lock Screen while they are active.
- •
Several Lock Screens. Create more than one and switch by touching and holding the Lock Screen and swiping.
Can you link a Lock Screen to a Focus in iOS 18?
Yes. Linking a Focus to a Lock Screen means the Focus's notification rules apply whenever that Lock Screen is in use. Apple's steps: touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears, tap Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper, choose a Focus such as Work or Sleep, then close the list. If Focus doesn't appear, set one up first in Settings > Focus. Apple adds a warning worth knowing: "If a Lock Screen links to a specific Focus, switching from that Lock Screen to another also switches your Focus." If your notifications suddenly change after swiping between Lock Screens, that is why.
How do you keep the iOS 18 Lock Screen private?
Two settings decide what a stranger can read on your Lock Screen. First, notification previews: go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and choose whether previews show always or only when the iPhone is unlocked. On the same screen you can show notifications as a Count, a Stack or a List. Second, iOS 18's locked and hidden apps keep their content out of notifications entirely. Widgets are the third thing to check: anything a widget shows, such as calendar titles or reminder text, is visible on the Lock Screen, so choose widgets with that in mind.
Troubleshooting the iOS 18 Lock Screen
- •
Customize doesn't appear. Apple's fix: touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
- •
A control slot looks empty. You removed a control without adding one; open Customize and add one from the controls gallery.
- •
Your Focus changed by itself. The Lock Screen you swiped to is linked to a different Focus (see above).
- •
A widget looks out of date. Widgets refresh on a schedule the system manages, not continuously (Apple's WidgetKit documentation calls it a refresh budget), so opening the widget's app gives it a chance to update.
iOS 18 Lock Screen FAQ
Is iOS 18 the latest version of iOS? No. Apple's iPhone User Guide now has iOS 26 and iOS 27 editions after iOS 18, and menu names can differ between versions. Check your version in Settings > General > About, and update in Settings > General > Software Update.
Is my iPhone compatible with iOS 18? Apple lists iOS 18 support for iPhone XS, iPhone XR and later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. To check your model, go to Settings > General > About.
Can I replace the flashlight and camera buttons on the Lock Screen? Yes, from iOS 18. Use Customize > Lock Screen, remove a control, and pick a new one from the controls gallery, as in the steps above.
Can I interact with Lock Screen widgets without unlocking? Yes for interactive widgets. Apple's example is checking off an item in the Reminders widget straight from the Lock Screen.
Where can I get NoteWall? NoteWall ("Lock Screen Notes: NoteWall") is on the App Store. A subscription is required; the App Store shows the plans and terms before you pay. As of October 13, 2026 the US listing shows version 2.4.1 and 4.4 out of 5 from 109 ratings.
Keep Reading:
ADHD-friendly reminder systems for iPhone
Best wallpaper apps for iPhone in 2026
iOS productivity tips for 2026
For a comprehensive overview, visit our Lock Screen Productivity Guide.
Add Your Own Notes to the Lock Screen
iOS 18 gives you the widgets and controls; NoteWall adds the notes you type, applied through the "Set NoteWall Wallpaper" Shortcut. A subscription is required, and the App Store shows terms before you pay.
Download NoteWall
Founder of NoteWall. Building tools that turn your lock screen into a productivity system. About →
You might also like
How to Put a To-Do List on Your iPhone Lock Screen
Three ways to put a to-do list on your iPhone Lock Screen: Apple's Reminders widget, a wallpaper that carries your list, or a widget app, compared.
Minimalist iPhone Lock Screen Setup in 5 Steps
Set up a minimalist iPhone Lock Screen with Apple's own tools: a quiet wallpaper, one or two widgets, a Focus-linked second screen and one short note.
iPhone Lock Screen Customization Tips: 8 Worth Setting Up
iPhone lock screen customization tips from Apple's own guide: a second Lock Screen, clock style, widgets, bottom controls, Focus links and notification privacy.