How to Customize Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro Series: 6 Cool Tips

Apple has a reputation for introducing features late on the iPhone. And that’s exactly what happened with the coveted Always On Display functionality. The Cupertino giant introduced the feature with the iPhone 14 Pro series years after its Android counterparts had them. Now that it’s finally here though, you might be looking to customize the Always On Display on your iPhone 14 Pro along with the lock screen.

Right off the bat, Apple doesn’t give you a lot of customization options for the Always On Display. However, with the limited functionality available, we’ll tell you how you can change the look of your iPhone while the screen is off.

From different clock styles to widgets, here’s how you can customize your iPhone’s Always On Display. But first things first.

What Is Always On Display

Always On Display is a feature that shows basic information like time, date, notifications, etc. on your phone’s screen even when the display is turned off. This way, you can take a glance at the needed information without having to unlock your phone.

How to Enable Always on Display on iPhone 14 Pro Series

If you just got a new iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max and are wondering how to enable the Always On Display functionality, here’s how you do it,

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to the ‘Display & Brightness’ section.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on ‘Always On Display’.

Step 3: Enable the toggle next to ‘Always On Display’.

6 Tips to Customize Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro Series

Let’s start with our favorites, wallpapers! Before moving on, ensure your iPhone is running iOS 16.2 or later to implement some of the customization features listed below.

1. Removing the Wallpaper From Always On Display

Apple’s Always On Display implementation is unlike any other brand. By default, you can see the wallpaper of your phone on the Always On Display, albeit in a faded manner. While some users may like this look, it’s rather distracting to have several colors displayed on your phone’s screen even when it is turned off.

Not to forget, displaying your wallpaper at all times would also drain your iPhone 14 Pro’s battery faster. Here’s how you can remove the wallpaper from the Always On Display on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to the ‘Display & Brightness’ section.

Step 2: Scroll down to the ‘Always On Display’ tab. Tap on it.

Step 3: Disable the toggle next to Show Wallpaper. If you ever wish to see the wallpaper again, turn it back on.

2. Show or Hide Notifications on Always On Display

Some users may want their notifications to be displayed when the screen is off so that they can decide whether or not the notification is important. Others may prefer notifications to be hidden since they may cause distractions.

Regardless of which category you belong to, Apple gives you the option to show or hide notifications on the Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro series. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to the ‘Display & Brightness’ section.

Step 2: Scroll down to the ‘Always On Display’ tab. Tap on it.

Step 3: Enable/disable the toggle next to Show Notifications based on your preference.

3. Change the Style of Notifications

If you decide that you want to see notifications with the screen off, here’s how you can change the way the notifications are displayed on Always On Display.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to the Notifications section.

Step 2: Choose how you want your notifications to be displayed using the tab at the top.

If you only want to see the number of pending notifications, select Count. If you wish to see detailed info, select either the Stack or the List option.

Note that these preferences will reflect on both your iPhone’s lock screen as well as the Always On Display.

4. Customize the Clock Style On Always On Display

iOS 16 introduced the ability to customize the lock screen with various clock styles. The same clock styles also apply to the Always On Display. Here’s how to customize the iPhone 14 Pro’s clock style so that it reflects even when the iPhone’s lock screen is always on.

Step 1: Turn on your iPhone’s screen but don’t unlock it. Long-press on the lock screen to bring up customization options.

Step 2: Tap on the Customize option at the bottom of the screen. Then, select Lock Screen.

Step 3: Now, select the clock by tapping on it.

Step 4: Choose the font of the clock that you want to set on the Always On Display. You can also choose from the different color options for the clock.

Once you’ve selected your preferences, just swipe up to go back to the lock screen and the new clock style will be set. You will be able to view the new clock on both the lock screen as well as the Always On display.

5. Add Widgets to Always On Display on iPhone

Adding widgets to the iPhone’s home screen isn’t new. However, you can now add widgets to your iPhone’s lock screen as well — and in turn, to the Always On Display. Just follow the steps below and we’ll show you how to do it.

Step 1: Turn on your iPhone’s screen but don’t unlock it. Long-press on the lock screen to bring up customization options.

Step 2: Tap on the Customize option at the bottom of the screen. Then, select Lock Screen.

Step 3: Now, choose the Add Widgets button.

Step 4: Cycle through all the various widgets and tap on the ones you want to add.

Once you’ve added the required widgets, swipe up to go back to the lock screen and they will be added. You will be able to view the new widgets on both the lock screen as well as on the Always On display. This is a great way to take a glance at the weather or the battery levels of your other devices.

6. Hide Always On Display Temporarily With Sleep Focus

If you’re not using Focus Modes on your iPhone, you’re surely missing out on some really useful DND features. While there are several Focus Modes and you can even create custom ones, your iPhone has a Sleep Focus mode by default. As the name suggests, it’s meant to be used while you’re sleeping to silence notifications and prevent distractions.

Another benefit of the Sleep Focus Mode is to temporarily turn off Always On Display. If you keep your iPhone next to you while sleeping, this feature is useful since the screen turns off entirely instead of being switched on all night. Here’s how to enable Sleep Focus.

Step 1: Bring down the Control Center on your iPhone.

Step 2: Press and hold on to the Focus button. You will now see all your Focus Modes listed here.

Step 3: Select Sleep to apply the Focus Mode.

Now, your iPhone’s Always On Display will automatically turn off in a short while.

FAQs for Customizing Always On Display on iPhone

Make Your Lock Screen More Functional

Turn your boring lock screen into something more functional and practical by adding widgets and notifications, or customize the Always On Display on your iPhone to make it look the way you want it to. While the options currently are limited, we hope Apple gives us more flexibility in terms of customizing the iPhone with future versions of iOS.