Apple's next mobile software version, iOS 16, is coming with an overhauled Lock Screen that allows users to create and save multiple Lock Screens — and these can be linked to different Focus modes. The upgrade to the company's mobile operating system was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and a preview of the software provided a glimpse of the changes set to come to the iPhone. With developer and public beta software periods, even more has been learned about how daily use of an iPhone might change when iOS 16 releases to the public in the fall. The Lock Screen is one of the most personal iPhone settings — it's viewed every time the smartphone is woken — and the latest update will bring a slew of customization options.
The updated user-interface for creating and saving Lock Screens most directly reflects the existing user-interface for creating Apple Watch faces. On Apple's smartwatch, watch faces can be created and swapped by a long press on the watch face. Swiping left or right shows the saved watch faces, and there's also a button to create a new face. The same holds true for the Lock Screen user-interface on iOS 16 — a long press on the Lock Screen will open up the interface, and users can create and swap screens from this menu. However, instead of manually changing the Lock Screen each time, users can link the wallpaper to a Focus mode for automatic switching.
First, what are Focus modes? Focus is a feature that was added as part of last year's iOS 15 release, and designed to allow custom settings tied to certain times, activities, or locations. For example, a user could create an assortment of settings for sleep, personal, and work — or any custom Focus mode. These Focus modes can be triggered manually or turn on based on a timed schedule, arrival or departure at a location, or while using a certain application. With iOS 16, users can link a pair of wallpapers to a Focus mode, and these will change automatically when Focus modes are scheduled.
Link Saved Wallpapers To Focus Modes In iOS 16
To link an existing wallpaper to a Focus mode — or create a new one — navigate to the Focus settings menu. Open the Settings app, and scroll down to 'Focus.' Tap the menu, and select the Focus mode that a wallpaper will be linked to. By default, limited 'Do Not Disturb' and 'Sleep' Focus modes are preset and can be modified with a few quick taps. There are also Focus mode templates for 'Personal' and 'Work' use, but these require a brief setup process that is guided with easy-to-understand prompts. New focus modes can be created and personalized by tapping the '+' icon in the top right corner of the screen. Each focus mode can be setup with its own wallpaper, and these can switch automatically when Focus modes are set to change at a given time, location, or activity.
Tap the Focus mode that will be linked to a wallpaper, and scroll down to the 'Customize Screens' section. Tap either the Lock or Home Screen customization screen, identified by gray templates showing how the screens can be personalized. A guided user-interface will appear, showing options suggested for the chosen Focus mode. Users can also pick from saved Lock Screens, or create a new one. Tap the Lock Screen that will be saved to the Focus mode, and then press the 'Done' button in the top right corner of the screen. Repeat the process for the Home Screen, and these wallpapers will be linked to the selected Focus mode. To ensure that Focus modes change automatically, select the 'Smart Activation' setting or create a schedule in the Focus settings. iOS 16's new Lock Screen user-interface works best when paired with a Focus mode that can automatically switch between saved screens.
Source: Apple