Alex Ruben
How To Display Weather on Your iPhone Lock Screen
If you’re like many, wanting quick weather updates without unlocking the phone is pretty common. The thing is, Apple has made this a bit more involved with iOS 16+—you gotta mess with lock screens and widgets. Kind of weird, but once you get the hang of it, it’s straightforward. Just be aware, not every method is perfect the first time. Sometimes, you tweak a setting, and it still doesn’t show the weather right away.
Pre-requisites
Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16 or newer. Also, double-check that location services are enabled for the Weather app, or the widget won’t display current info. You can find that under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Set it to While Using the App or Always.
Step 1: Access the Lock Screen
First off, you need to get into the lock screen edit mode. Swipe down from the top left of the home screen
or press and hold on the lock screen itself until the customization options pop up. If you’re on the lock screen, it’s kind of a pain because sometimes it doesn’t immediately activate edit mode. Make sure your device is unlocked enough to do this.
Step 2: Enter Edit Mode
Once in edit mode, you’ll see options to customize your current lock screen or add a new one. It’s kinda finicky sometimes — on certain setups, you need to tap carefully or even restart the phone if it refuses to go into editing. Because of course, Apple has to make it more complicated than it needs to be.
Step 3: Customize Your Lock Screen
Tap on Customize at the bottom. That brings up options for adding or editing widgets. It’s not as snappy as older versions; you may need to wait a second or two.
Step 4: Add Widgets
Tap on Lock Screen (or it might be already selected) then press Add Widgets. A panel will slide up—this is where you look for the weather widget. If it’s not showing initially, scroll all the way down because some options are hidden deep in the list.
Step 5: Locate the Weather Widget
Scroll through the widget list until you find the weather icon. If it’s missing, your location services might be off or the weather app might need permissions. Some users report that on certain iOS versions, the weather widget only shows after a reboot or after opening the app manually once. Not sure why, but that’s been the trend.
Step 6: Choose a Weather Widget Style
There are a few different sizes and styles—pick one that fits your lock screen aesthetic. Tap it to add. Here’s a tip: on some setups, the widget only appears after you select it, so don’t be afraid to remove and re-add if it’s not showing up immediately.
Step 7: Save Your Changes
Once you’re happy, tap Done at the top right corner. Now, the next time you wake your iPhone, the weather info should display pretty much at a glance. If it doesn’t, double-check that location services are active and your iOS is up to date. Sometimes, it’s a matter of waiting or toggling settings again.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here’s what I hit a bunch of times: updating iOS can sometimes break widget functionality temporarily. Also, on some devices, toggling Settings > Privacy > Location Services off and on helps refresh the permissions. Restarting usually kicks things into gear — not always, but frequently enough that it’s worth trying.
- Make sure Weather app has permission for location access.
- Try toggling Airplane Mode off and then back on—that weirdly helps sometimes with updating issues.
- If the widget’s still stubborn, removing it and re-adding might do the trick.
Conclusion
Once all that’s sorted, weather shows up on your lock screen like magic—or not, if you’re unlucky. Just keep in mind that iOS isn’t always consistent, and on one setup it worked immediately, on another it took a couple of reboots or toggles. Not sure why it works, but that’s the reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the size of the weather widget?
Yeah, when adding a widget, you typically get size options—small, medium, large. Pick what looks good and doesn’t clutter your lock screen.
What if the weather widget doesn’t update?
Check your location permissions—sometimes it’s just blocked. Also, ensure your device is connected to the internet, and try toggling location services off and on again. Sometimes, a quick restart helps too.
Can I remove the weather widget later?
Totally. Just go back into edit mode, tap the widget, and remove it. No biggie.
Summary
- Ensure location services are enabled for the Weather app.
- Access lock screen edit mode by pressing and holding the lock screen or swiping down from top left.
- Add weather widget via Add Widgets in the customization menu.
- Pick your style and save changes. Restart if it refuses to show or update.
- Double-check permissions if it’s not updating properly.
Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid the endless fiddling. Good luck, and enjoy your quick weather check!