Display Weather on iOS Lock Screen: How-To

To display weather on your iPhone lock screen, add the Weather widget to your Lock Screen in iOS 16 or later, or enable the built-in Weather app’s lock screen access. You can also use a weather-focused Lock Screen face or the StandBy mode in iOS 17. This guide explains all the methods, customization options, and common issues.

Why You Might Want Weather on the Lock Screen

Checking the weather is one of the most frequent phone tasks. Putting it on the lock screen saves you from unlocking the phone, opening an app, or even tapping a notification. It’s especially handy when you’re heading out the door, planning a run, or just want a glanceable forecast without interrupting what you’re doing. The lock screen is the first thing you see when you pick up your phone, so it’s the natural place for at-a-glance information like temperature, rain probability, or air quality.

How to Add a Weather Widget to the Lock Screen (iOS 16+)

Apple introduced lock screen widgets with iOS 16. Here’s how to add one:

1. Press and hold the lock screen until the customization screen appears (or go to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize).
2. Tap “Add Widget� (the plus icon) or tap an existing widget slot.
3. Scroll down or search for “Weather� (the official Weather app by Apple).
4. Choose a widget size: small (temperature and condition), medium (hourly forecast), or large (multi-day forecast).
5. Tap the widget to place it, then tap “Done� in the top right.

You can add multiple weather widgets, but note that the small widget only shows the current temperature and condition icon. The medium and large widgets show more detail, but they take up more space.

Using the Built-in Weather Lock Screen Face

iOS 16 also includes a dedicated “Weather� lock screen face that displays a large, animated background reflecting the current conditions (sun, clouds, rain, etc.) along with the temperature. To set it up:

1. Press and hold the lock screen, swipe to the right to the “+� (New Lock Screen) button.
2. Tap the “Weather� option in the wallpaper gallery.
3. Customize the font and add widgets if you like.
4. Tap “Add� and then “Set as Wallpaper Pair.�

This face uses the location of the phone (or a location you set) and updates automatically. It’s a nice option if you want a visual representation of the weather, not just numbers.

Enabling Weather Access on the Lock Screen (Older iOS)

On iOS 15 and earlier, you could see weather in the “Today� view (swipe right from the lock screen) if you had the Weather widget there. To enable that:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and select “Always.�
2. Ensure the Weather app has “Allow Notifications� enabled.
3. On the lock screen, swipe right to open Today View, scroll to the bottom, tap “Edit,� and add the Weather widget.

Also, check that Location Services are on for the Weather app (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather) and set to “While Using the App� or “Always.� If the app doesn’t have location access, it can’t show your local weather.

StandBy Mode (iOS 17) and Always-On Display

With iOS 17, iPhones support StandBy mode, which turns the phone into a bedside clock when charging in landscape. You can add a weather widget there too:

1. Plug in your iPhone and rotate it to landscape while charging.
2. Press the side button to enter StandBy.
3. Swipe left or right to find the weather widget (or add it via the “+� in the widget gallery).

On iPhones with an Always-On display (iPhone 14 Pro and later), the lock screen stays visible at a dimmed brightness. Weather widgets update even when the screen is off, so you can glance at the temperature without touching the phone.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Widget shows “—â€� or no data: This usually means the Weather app doesn’t have location permission. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather and set it to “While Using the Appâ€� or “Always.â€� Also, make sure the phone has an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular).
• Weather is for the wrong location: The widget uses the phone’s current location by default. To change it, open the Weather app, tap the list icon (bottom right), and add a city. Then, when editing the lock screen, tap the widget and select that city from the “Locationâ€� option.
• Widget not updating: Force-restart the phone (press and release Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears). Also, check that Background App Refresh is enabled for the Weather app (Settings > General > Background App Refresh).
• No widgets option on lock screen: You need iOS 16 or later. If you have an older iOS, update via Settings > General > Software Update.

Comparing Weather Widgets: Apple Weather vs. Third-Party Apps

Apple’s Weather app is free and pre-installed, and its widgets are reliable. However, third-party apps like AccuWeather, Dark Sky (now part of Apple), or Weather Line offer more detailed forecasts, radar maps, and different widget styles. To use a third-party widget, you must install the app, then add its widget from the same “Add Widget� menu. Some apps require a subscription for premium features, but the basic lock screen widget is usually free.

Privacy and Battery Considerations

Adding a weather widget doesn’t drain battery significantly, but constant location updates can. To minimize battery use, set Location Services for Weather to “While Using the App� instead of “Always.� Also, the Always-On display on Pro models can reduce battery life, but the weather widget itself is not a major factor. If you’re concerned, you can turn off Always-On Display in Settings > Display & Brightness > Always-On Display.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the weather on my lock screen without opening an app?

Add the Weather widget to your lock screen as described above. The widget shows the current temperature and condition at a glance. For more detail, tap the widget to open the Weather app.

Why is my weather widget not showing the correct city?

The widget defaults to your current location. To change it, press and hold the lock screen, tap “Customize,� select the widget, and choose a different city from the “Location� list. You may need to add the city to the Weather app first.

Can I show the weather on the lock screen of an iPhone SE (2nd gen) or older?

Yes, if the phone runs iOS 16 or later. The iPhone SE (2nd gen) supports iOS 16 and later, so you can add lock screen widgets. For older models that can’t update past iOS 15, you can still see weather in the Today View by swiping right from the lock screen, but not as a permanent widget.

Does the weather widget work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, as long as you have a cellular data connection. The widget needs internet to fetch weather data. If you’re in airplane mode, it won’t update.

Can I add multiple weather widgets?

Yes, you can add several weather widgets to the lock screen, each showing a different location or a different size (small, medium, large). Just tap “Add Widget� multiple times and choose different locations if desired.

Will the weather widget drain my battery?

Minimally. The widget updates periodically and uses location services, but the impact is small. To reduce battery usage, set Location Services to “While Using the App� and avoid using the Always-On Display if you’re concerned.

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