How to Change iPhone Lock Screen Time

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 16 or later (Lock Screen customization is not available on older versions).
Your iPhone unlocked and on the Lock Screen.

Step-by-Step

Wake your iPhone – Press the side button or tap the screen to show the Lock Screen. Do not unlock it yet.
Press and hold the Lock Screen – Keep your finger on the screen until the wallpaper shrinks and the customization options appear. This may take about a second.
Tap the Plus (+) icon – In the bottom-right corner, tap the blue plus button to create a new Lock Screen. If you want to edit the current one, skip this and tap “Customize” instead.
Select a wallpaper – Choose a photo or a built-in wallpaper. You can swipe through options like “Photos,” “Weather,” or “Astronomy.” After selecting, you’ll see the Lock Screen preview.
Tap the time widget – The clock is usually at the top. Tap it to open the font and color controls. A panel will appear at the bottom.
Choose a font and color – Swipe through the font styles (like Classic, Modern, or Rounded) and select a color from the palette. You can also use the color slider for a custom shade.
Adjust other elements (optional) – While still in the editor, you can add widgets, change the date format, or remove the time entirely by tapping the minus sign on the clock.
Tap Done and Set as Wallpaper – When you’re satisfied, tap “Done” in the top-right corner, then tap “Set as Wallpaper Pair” to apply it to your Lock Screen and Home Screen.

Common Mistakes

Holding the screen too long – If you hold too long, you might trigger haptic feedback or open the notification center. A quick but firm press works best.
Unlocking the phone – If you unlock (with Face ID or Touch ID) before pressing and holding, you’ll go to the Home Screen. Make sure you stay on the Lock Screen.
Editing the wrong Lock Screen – If you have multiple Lock Screens, you might edit the wrong one. Check the preview at the top before tapping “Customize.”
Expecting to change the actual time – The clock always shows the correct time based on your location and settings. You cannot manually set it to a different time.

Tips

Use a custom color – Instead of the preset colors, tap the color wheel at the bottom to choose any shade that matches your wallpaper.
Add a world clock widget – If you want to see time in another city, add the “World Clock” widget below the main clock. It won’t replace the main time but gives extra info.
Hide the time – If you prefer a clean look, you can remove the clock entirely by tapping the minus icon on the time widget. The date will still show.
Set a different time zone – To change the time displayed, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and enable “Set Automatically” or manually select a time zone. This will update the Lock Screen clock.

Troubleshooting

Press and hold doesn’t work – Make sure your iPhone is not in Low Power Mode? No, that shouldn’t matter. Ensure you’re not using a case that interferes with the screen. Also, check that you’re on iOS 16 or later by going to Settings > General > About.
Can’t see the “Customize” button – If you don’t see it, you might be on an older iOS version. Update your iPhone via Settings > General > Software Update.
Changes don’t save – If you tap “Done” but the changes don’t apply, try again and make sure you tap “Set as Wallpaper Pair” at the end. Also, ensure you have enough storage space.
Clock looks blurry or pixelated – This can happen if you zoom into a photo too much. Try using a higher-resolution image or a built-in wallpaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the time format (12-hour vs 24-hour) on the Lock Screen?

Yes. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle “24-Hour Time” on or off. This changes the format on the Lock Screen.

Why does my Lock Screen time show the wrong time after traveling?

Your iPhone uses your location to set the time. If it’s wrong, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure “Set Automatically” is enabled. If it’s already on, turn it off and on again.

Can I make the Lock Screen clock bigger?

No, the size of the clock is fixed. You can only change the font style and color, not the size.

How do I delete a custom Lock Screen I made?

Press and hold the Lock Screen, swipe up on the one you want to delete, then tap the trash icon. You can’t delete the default Lock Screen.

Does changing the Lock Screen time affect the Home Screen clock?

No, the Home Screen clock is a widget that shows the same time. Changing the Lock Screen style doesn’t affect it.

Can I add seconds to the Lock Screen clock?

No, iOS doesn’t allow showing seconds on the Lock Screen clock. You can see seconds in the Clock app’s stopwatch or timer.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.