iOS 16'due south biggest new features and upgrades are highlighted past an overhauled Lock Screen, and that includes a full-screen music thespian and mini visualizer. The latest upgrade to Apple's mobile operating arrangement was previewed and appear at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, merely much of the smaller changes to iOS went unannounced. Instead, the intricacies and delicate changes to iOS 16 have been uncovered through beta software periods, which allow users to test the upcoming software before anyone else. The latest developer beta release included smaller changes and refinements, but a noticeable addition to the software was a redesigned music player available on the Lock Screen.

The slight alter found in the iOS 16 programmer beta five is just a minor office of a new Lock Screen user-interface that is unlike any prior versions of iOS. In fact, the updated Lock Screen is more similar the spotter confront user-interface found on watchOS than previous iterations of iOS. Multiple Lock Screens tin exist saved on an iPhone and linked to a Home Screen, and it'south easier than ever to swap them out. Holding down the Lock Screen will bring upward a fresh user-interface to change Lock Screens, and swiping left and correct will show saved wallpapers. Another option for the Lock Screen, as revealed past the iOS 16 programmer beta v release, is to make the music player full-screen when media is playing.

Many smaller adjustments have been fabricated to the Now Playing widget on the Lock Screen with iOS xvi, providing a fresh experience all-around. For starters, the At present Playing cake now appears at the bottom of the Lock Screen, which is easier to attain on iPhones with larger screens. In previous iterations of iOS, the Now Playing widget was located directly beneath the date and time on the Lock Screen. Now, information technology'southward right above the flashlight and camera toggles at the lesser of the Lock Screen. Additionally, the icons used to denote Bluetooth connections has inverse — AirPods accept custom icons, and are non colored in blue to signify an AirPlay connexion.

How To Enable The Full-Screen Player

Apple iPhone Lock Screen Widgets iOS 16

When the full-screen music histrion is enabled on the Lock Screen, the album art fills the empty space and serves as a placeholder for the iPhone's wallpaper. Any changes to the Lock Screen's font volition remain, but widgets and wallpapers volition disappear when the full-screen music role player is opened. Like the native Music app, the area surrounding the album art is filled with a gradient that is color-matched to the cover of the anthology or song. Opening up the total-screen does not require a trip to the Settings app, and only takes a single tap.

At this time, in that location is no fashion to permanently brand an album cover set equally an iPhone wallpaper all the time. Instead, music must exist playing in order to have full-screen album art every bit the device's wallpaper. Later music is playing, lock the device or swipe downwardly to open up the Notification Center. Wake the device, and tap the album art in the top left corner of the Now Playing widget. The album art will aggrandize, and the full-screen player will be opened. To close the full-screen player, but tap the album art once more.

In the beta of iOS 16, the full-screen role player works best when there are no new notifications visible on the Lock Screen. When in that location are new notifications, these tin obstruct the album art. In addition to the full-screen actor, a mini visualizer was added in the superlative left corner of the At present Playing widget. While the adjustments to the At present Playing widget in iOS 16 are purely aesthetic, they are a cleaner way to enjoy music when an iPhone is locked.

Next: Why Apple's Live Activities Volition Exist iOS 16'due south All-time FeatureSource: Apple Programmer