The quickest way to change your lock screen clock

You can change how your iPhone lock screen clock looks by opening Settings, tapping Display & Brightness, then Lock Screen. From there, tap the clock itself and choose a different style. The clock styles available depend on which iPhone model you have and which iOS version is installed.

If you want to hide the clock entirely, you can do that too — just remove it from your lock screen customization. The steps are the same: go to Settings, Display & Brightness, Lock Screen, then tap and hold the clock widget until a minus button appears, and tap it to remove the clock from view.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then Lock Screen to access clock customization options.
  • Tap the clock directly on the lock screen preview to cycle through available clock styles for your device.
  • Different iPhone models and iOS versions offer different clock designs, from digital to analog to large numerals.
  • You can remove the clock from your lock screen entirely by tapping and holding it, then tapping the minus button.
  • Changes take effect when ready once you confirm your selection.

Finding the lock screen clock settings

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. On the next screen, look for Lock Screen and tap it. You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top of the screen.

The clock appears on this preview. Tap directly on the clock in the preview — not anywhere else on the screen, but on the clock itself. This opens a menu of available clock styles for your device.

Choosing a different clock style

When you tap the clock, a row of clock options appears at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left or right to see all available styles. Your iPhone may offer a digital clock, an analog clock face, a large numeral display, or other variations depending on your model and iOS version.

Tap the style you want. The preview at the top updates when ready to show how it will look on your lock screen. If you change your mind, tap a different style — you can switch between them as many times as you want before closing the settings.

Adjusting clock color and appearance

Some clock styles let you change the color. After you select a clock style, look for a Color option below the clock preview. Tap it to see color choices. The available colors depend on which clock style you chose — some styles offer more color options than others.

You can also change the overall appearance of your lock screen by adding or removing other widgets, changing the wallpaper, or adjusting the text color. These changes are made in the same Lock Screen settings menu, but the clock style itself is controlled only through the clock tap-and-select method described above.

Removing the clock from your lock screen

If you do not want a clock on your lock screen at all, you can remove it. In the Lock Screen settings, tap and hold directly on the clock in the preview. A minus button (−) appears below the clock. Tap the minus button to remove the clock from your lock screen.

Your lock screen will display without a clock. You can add it back at any time by following the same steps — the minus button becomes a plus button (+) when no clock is present, and tapping it restores the clock to your lock screen.

What to do if clock options are limited

Older iPhone models or older versions of iOS may show fewer clock styles than newer devices. If you have only one or two clock options, your device may not support the full range of styles. This is normal and depends on your iPhone model and iOS version.

To check your iOS version, go to Settings, tap General, then About. Look for the Software Version line. If you want more clock styles, you can update to the latest iOS version available for your device by going to Settings, General, Software Update.

Lock screen clock changes do not affect other displays

Changing your lock screen clock style does not change the clock that appears in your Control Center, on your home screen, or in the Clock app. Each of these displays its own time independently. The lock screen clock customization only affects what you see when your iPhone is locked.

If you want to change the time format (12-hour versus 24-hour), that is a separate setting. Go to Settings, tap General, then Date & Time. Toggle 24-Hour Time on or off. This change affects all clocks on your device, including the lock screen clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom image as my lock screen clock?

No, you cannot replace the clock with a custom image. You can only choose from the clock styles built into your iPhone. However, you can change the wallpaper behind the clock and adjust the clock's color to match your wallpaper.

Why do I only see one or two clock styles?

Older iPhone models and earlier iOS versions support fewer clock designs. If you have an iPhone 12 or older, you may see fewer options than newer models. Updating to the latest iOS version available for your device may add more styles.

Does changing the lock screen clock affect the time shown on my phone?

No. Changing the clock style or removing the clock does not change the actual time on your device. It only changes how the time is displayed on your lock screen. The time itself remains accurate.

Can I have different clocks on different lock screens?

If you have multiple lock screens set up (available on iPhone 15 and newer), you can customize the clock separately for each one. Tap and hold each lock screen in Settings to customize its clock independently.

What if my lock screen clock disappeared after an update?

Sometimes a software update resets lock screen settings. Go to Settings, Display & Brightness, Lock Screen, and tap the clock area to add it back. If the clock option does not appear, restart your iPhone and try again.