What’s new on the iOS 27 Lock Screen
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026. Siri got most of the headlines, but the Lock Screen quietly picked up five changes that make it far more flexible. Some are brand new; others refine features Apple introduced with Liquid Glass in iOS 26.
- Compact clock — shrink the time and move it up next to the date and widgets.
- Extend — Apple Intelligence expands photos that don’t fit your screen.
- Image Playground wallpapers — generate a wallpaper from a description or restyle one of your photos.
- Swipe away Now Playing — dismiss the media widget without stopping playback.
- Liquid Glass slider — choose exactly how clear or tinted the interface looks.
Which iPhones get these features?
iOS 27 runs on the same iPhones as iOS 26: iPhone 11 and newer, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). Install it from Settings → General → Software Update.
Extend and Image Playground are Apple Intelligence features, so they need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Everything else in this guide works on any iPhone that runs iOS 27.
1. Make the clock tiny with the compact layout
iOS 26 made the clock huge — it could stretch down the screen behind your photo subject. iOS 27 adds the opposite: a compact clock that sits in the top row alongside the date and your widgets, so the wallpaper gets the whole screen.
- Touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap Customize and choose Lock Screen. (You can also go to Settings → Wallpaper → Customize.)
- Tap the clock to open the Font & Color panel.
- Tap the compact layout option in the top-right corner of the panel.
- Tap Done.
The compact clock pairs well with busy photos, artwork, and portraits where a big clock would cover something important.
2. Extend a photo so it fills the Lock Screen
Most photos aren’t shaped like an iPhone screen. Instead of forcing you to crop tightly, iOS 27 can generate new image content around the edges so the photo fills the display naturally. When you pick a photo that doesn’t fit, iOS 27 suggests Extend automatically.
- Open Settings → Wallpaper → Add New Wallpaper and choose a photo.
- If iOS doesn’t suggest it, tap the ••• button and choose Extend Wallpaper.
- Confirm with Extend, check the result, then tap Add.
Extend is also available in the Photos app, so you can extend a picture first and set it as your wallpaper later. For more detail, see how to set wallpaper in iOS 27.
3. Generate a wallpaper with Image Playground
Image Playground, Apple’s image generator, now appears directly in the wallpaper picker. You can describe a wallpaper in plain language, or restyle a photo from your library in styles like Retro Illustration or Animation.
- Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Add New Wallpaper (or tap + in the Lock Screen editor).
- Tap Image Playground.
- Describe what you want, or pick a photo and a style.
- Choose your favorite result and tap Add.
4. Swipe away the Now Playing widget
The Now Playing controls used to take over the Lock Screen whenever audio was playing. In iOS 27, swipe left on the playback controls to dismiss them. This removes the widget from both the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, and your audio keeps playing.
5. Dial in Liquid Glass with the new slider
iOS 26 offered two Liquid Glass presets, Clear and Tinted. iOS 27 replaces them with a continuous slider in a new Settings → Appearance section. It’s system-wide, but it directly changes how your Lock Screen notifications, buttons, and widgets look.
- Open Settings → Appearance → Liquid Glass.
- Drag left for clearer glass, or right for a more opaque, tinted look. The middle is Apple’s default.
The Lock Screen clock’s glass effect has its own separate control. Our Liquid Glass guide covers both.
Three Lock Screen setups to try on iOS 27
The photo-first setup
Compact clock, no widgets, and a favorite photo fixed with Extend. Add a second photo that stays visible above notifications with ON Lock Screen.
The glanceable setup
Standard clock, a row of Lock Screen widgets (Weather, Calendar, Batteries), and the Liquid Glass slider moved a little toward tinted for crisp legibility.
The creative setup
An Image Playground wallpaper in a matching color palette, a bold clock font, and clear Liquid Glass so the artwork shows through. Or browse ready-made iPhone wallpapers if you’d rather not generate your own.
Frequently asked questions
When was iOS 27 released?
Apple released iOS 27 on Monday, September 14, 2026. It is a free update in Settings → General → Software Update.
Which iPhones can run iOS 27?
iOS 27 supports the same iPhones as iOS 26: iPhone 11 and newer, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).
Which iOS 27 Lock Screen features need Apple Intelligence?
Extend for wallpapers and Image Playground wallpapers use Apple Intelligence, which requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The compact clock, swipe-away Now Playing widget, and Liquid Glass slider work on every iOS 27 iPhone.
Does swiping away Now Playing stop my music?
No. Swiping left on the Now Playing controls removes the widget from the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, but your music, podcast, or audiobook keeps playing.
Can I still use photos from ON Lock Screen on iOS 27?
Yes. ON Lock Screen works on iOS 27 and keeps a photo visible above your notifications using Live Activities. A compact clock leaves even more room for it.