You’re Using Your iPhone Lock Screen Wrong – Simple Hack You Need To Know
YOUR iPhone has a seriously handy secret that you should take advantage of.
It makes the iPhone lock screen much smarter – and it’s easy to set up.
1
We’re talking about Live Activities, which work together with the lock screen widgets.
Widgets were introduced in September with the iOS 16 update, allowing you to deeply customize your lock screen for the first time ever.
So late last year, Apple launched iOS 16.1 – and with it came a completely new type of widget.
They are called Live Activities, and they offer real-time information about ongoing events.
The big advantage of this is that live sports results can be displayed directly on the home screen.
Live Activities will work on any iPhone that can upgrade to iOS 16.1.
For example, you can set an NFL widget to show you the latest American football scores.
Live activities aren’t just limited to sports setups, of course.
“Live Activities is a new feature that helps users stay up-to-date on things happening in real time, such as a sports match, workout, carpool or food delivery, right from the lock screen,” Apple explained.
This means that you will also be able to track how far the food delivery is from your address, or how you progress during training.
These Live Activity widgets will be temporary and live at the bottom of the iPhone lock screen – unlike the current widgets that persist at the top of the screen.
Apple’s iOS 16.1 is available to try right now, so install the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
How to add widgets to your iPhone lock screen
- Touch and hold the lock screen until the Customize button appears, then tap Customize.
- Tap the box above or below the time to see the widgets you can add to the lock screen.
- Tap or drag the widgets you want to add.
- Tap Done.
Unfortunately, not all iPhone models can get iOS 16, and therefore won’t get iOS 16.1 and the sports widgets either.
iOS 16 supported models
Apple can’t support all iPhones forever – so very old iPhone models often lose access to iOS updates.
Sometimes these old iPhones don’t have the power to support new features, or not enough people use them to warrant an update.
Now the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7 and 1st generation iPhone SE will be discontinued by Apple.
These handsets were compatible with 15.6.1 but will not get iOS 16.
If you’re using older iPhones than that, you’re already cut off, so you should upgrade to a newer model immediately.
Here is the full list of iOS 16 supported devices:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
Not being able to get the latest iOS means you lose access to the most up-to-date security fixes.
These are important updates that plug holes used by hackers to gain access to your systems.
So using a very old iPhone that cannot be updated can put you at risk.
If you can’t update to iOS 16, consider upgrading your iPhone sooner rather than later.
Best Phone and Gadget Tips and Hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find the secret features of social media apps? We’ve got you covered…
We pay for your stories! Got a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
