GoKawiilPatrick Holland/CNET
Over the last few years, Apple’s major iOS updates have introduced a lot of ways to customize your iPhone to better suit your preferences. One part of your device that has gotten more customization options than others is your lock screen.
When Apple released iOS 18 back in 2024, you were given the ability to remove or change the controls on your lock screen — a welcome improvement if you’ve ever accidentally turned on your flashlight while pocketing your phone. Then, iOS 26 let you move your lock screen widgets, increase the size of your clock and give your lock screen wallpaper a 3D spatial effect. Now, iOS 27 lets you shrink the size of your lock screen’s clock.
Here’s how to bring these changes to your lock screen and what to know about each one.
Change the size of your lock screen’s clock
With iOS 27, you can shrink or expand the size of your lock screen’s clock. Enabling tiny clock moves the time to to the top of your lock screen next to the date. The expanded clock takes up about a third of my iPhone 16 Pro’s screen at most, which I love because if I place my phone on a table, I can easily see the time, even without my glasses.
If you want the minuscule or big clock on your lock screen, you’ll have to enable either option. Here’s how to shrink your lock screen’s clock in iOS 27.
1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Wallpaper.
3. Tap Customize under the lock screen you want to adjust.
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