iOS 26 brings a huge ‘Liquid Glass’ redesign to the iPhone, including several upgrades to the Lock Screen. One new feature that’s sure to prove a hit: Apple Music’s fullscreen artwork that, in some cases, can even make your Lock Screen come alive.
Fullscreen art for Apple Music brings vibrancy to iOS 26 Lock Screen
For years now, Apple Music has offered special album artwork that expands beyond the traditional square shape. In some cases it even animates in subtle ways.
Not every album or song gets the special artwork treatment, but it’s become common for popular music on the service.
Until now, though, that ‘expansive artwork’ design has lived solely inside the Music app.
But in iOS 26, as part of the broader Liquid Glass redesign, album art gets a compelling new Lock Screen look.
When playing any sort of media in iOS 26, there’s a fresh Lock Screen design for displaying that media’s artwork. Artwork is larger than before, taking a central focus.
With Apple Music, though, the design is especially unique.
Album art gets a new fullscreen design, and it even animates with vibrancy depending on what you’re listening to.
If your iPhone has an always-on display, the fullscreen look is there when your screen is dimmed.
Then when your screen lights up fully—as you pick up or tap the device—the artwork can beautifully animate in response.
It’s the kind of feature that may seem small on paper, but can enhance the Apple Music listening experience in meaningful ways.
What do you think of Apple Music’s new fullscreen Lock Screen artwork in iOS 26? Let us know in the comments.
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