The fastest way to change your clock face on iPhone

You can change the clock display on your iPhone's lock screen by opening Settings, tapping Display & Brightness, then selecting Text Size or Bold Text — but that only adjusts how large the time appears. To actually change the style of the clock itself, you need to customize your lock screen directly. Press and hold your lock screen, tap Customize, then tap the clock widget to choose from different clock styles Apple offers.

If you want a completely different clock design — not just a different size or font — you can also add a third-party clock app to your home screen or lock screen. The home screen clock stays visible when you're using your phone, while lock screen clocks only show when your phone is locked.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold your lock screen, tap Customize, then tap the clock widget to change between Apple's built-in clock styles.
  • iOS 16 and later let you customize lock screen clocks; older iPhones have limited options and may only let you change text size.
  • Third-party clock apps from the App Store can replace your home screen clock with custom designs, colors, and layouts.
  • Lock screen clocks appear only when your phone is locked; home screen clocks are visible whenever you're using your phone.
  • Some clock styles show the time in different formats — digital, analog, or minimal — depending on which iPhone model you have.

Customizing the lock screen clock through Settings

Start by unlocking your iPhone and pressing and holding anywhere on your lock screen. A menu will appear at the bottom with options including Customize. Tap Customize to enter lock screen editing mode.

Once you're in editing mode, you'll see your lock screen with a series of widgets at the bottom. Tap directly on the clock — it's usually in the upper left or center of your screen. A menu will pop up showing the different clock styles available on your device. These vary by iPhone model but typically include options like Mono (straightforward black and white), Color (colored numbers), Gradient (blended colors), and sometimes Rounded or Serif (different font shapes).

Select the style you want, then tap outside the menu or swipe down to save your choice. Your lock screen will update when ready. If you don't like the change, you can repeat these steps and pick a different style at any time.

What to do if your iPhone doesn't show clock style options

iPhones running iOS 15 or earlier don't have the lock screen customization feature. If you have an older iPhone, you won't see a Customize option when you press and hold your lock screen. Instead, you can only adjust how the clock appears through Display & Brightness settings.

Go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then look for Text Size or Bold Text. Adjusting these will make the clock numbers larger or bolder, but won't change the actual design. If you want a truly different clock look on an older iPhone, your only option is to add a third-party clock app to your home screen.

Adding a third-party clock app to your home screen

The App Store has hundreds of clock apps with custom designs, colors, and layouts. Open the App Store, search for "clock," and browse the options. Popular choices include Carrot Weather (which includes a clock), Fliqlo (a flip-clock style), and various minimalist or decorative clock apps.

Once you've downloaded an app, open it and follow the app's instructions to set it up. Then press and hold your home screen, tap the plus sign to add a widget, find the clock app in the list, and select the widget size you want. The clock will now appear on your home screen and update in real time.

Keep in mind that third-party clock apps use battery power while they're running, especially if they update frequently or display animations. If battery life matters to you, check the app's reviews to see what other users report about power drain.

Differences between lock screen and home screen clocks

Your lock screen clock shows only when your phone is locked — when you pick it up before unlocking it, or when it's sitting on a table. Your home screen clock shows whenever you're looking at your home screen, which is less often for most people.

Apple's built-in lock screen clock styles are only available on the lock screen. Home screen clocks come from third-party apps and offer much wider variety in design. If you want both a custom lock screen clock and a custom home screen clock, you'll need to set up both separately — one through lock screen customization and one through a third-party app.

Troubleshooting clock changes that don't appear

If you change your clock style but it doesn't show up, first make sure you've tapped outside the menu or swiped down to save. Sometimes the change doesn't stick if you navigate away without confirming.

If the clock still doesn't update, try restarting your iPhone. Press and hold the power button and volume button together, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. After your phone restarts, check your lock screen again.

If you're trying to add a third-party clock app and it won't appear on your home screen, make sure you've actually added the widget — downloading the app alone doesn't put a clock on your screen. Go back to your home screen, press and hold it, tap the plus sign, find the app, and add its widget.

Clock display options across different iPhone models

The clock styles available depend on your iPhone model and iOS version. Newer iPhones (iPhone 12 and later) with iOS 16 or later have the most options, including Mono, Color, Gradient, and sometimes Rounded or Serif styles. Older iPhones with iOS 16 may have fewer choices.

Some iPhone models also support analog (round dial) or minimal clock styles, while others stick to digital displays. If you don't see a particular style you expected, it may not be available on your specific device. The best way to see what's available is to press and hold your lock screen, tap Customize, and tap the clock to see the full menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different clock styles on different lock screens?

Yes. If you have multiple lock screens set up (which iOS 16 and later allow), you can customize the clock style on each one separately. Press and hold each lock screen, tap Customize, and choose a different clock style for each.

Will changing my clock style affect my home screen?

No. Lock screen customization and home screen customization are separate. Changing your lock screen clock won't change anything on your home screen, and vice versa.

Do third-party clock apps work on the lock screen?

Not directly. Third-party clock apps can only be added to your home screen as widgets. Apple's built-in clock styles are the only options for lock screen customization. Some third-party apps may offer lock screen widgets in iOS 16 and later, but this depends on the app.

What happens to my clock if I update my iPhone?

Your clock customization usually stays the same after an iOS update. However, if you update to a much older iOS version (which is rare), you may lose access to newer clock styles and revert to the default.

Can I make the clock bigger or smaller without changing its style?

On newer iPhones, the clock size is tied to the style you choose — different styles display at different sizes. On older iPhones, you can adjust text size through Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size, which will make the clock larger or smaller.