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. That’s what happened with the Always On Display functionality, which was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro series years after its Android counterparts. Now that it’s here, you might want to customize the Always On Display on your iPhone 14 Pro and lock screen. Apple doesn’t offer many customization options for the Always On Display, but we’ll show you how to change the look of your iPhone while the screen is off. Here’s how you can customize your iPhone’s Always On Display with different clock styles and widgets. But first, let’s start with the basics.

What Is Always On Display

Always On Display is a feature that displays essential information such as time, date, and notifications on your phone’s screen, even when it’s turned off. This allows you to view important information without unlocking your phone.

How to Enable Always on Display on iPhone 14 Pro Series

If you have a new iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max and want to enable the Always On Display, here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to ‘Display & Brightness’.

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

Step 3: Enable ‘Always On Display’.

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

Let’s start with our favorite wallpapers! Before proceeding, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16.2 or later to use some of the customization options mentioned below.

Apple’s Always On Display is different from other brands. By default, the wallpaper is visible but faded. Some users may find this distracting even when the phone is off.

Displaying the wallpaper all the time will drain the iPhone 14 Pro’s battery faster. Here’s how to remove the wallpaper from the Always On Display on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to ‘Display & Brightness’.

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

Step 3: Disable the toggle for Show Wallpaper. If you want to see the wallpaper again, simply turn it back on.

2. Show or Hide Notifications on Always On Display

Some users may want notifications displayed when the screen is off to decide their importance. Others prefer hidden notifications since they can cause distractions.

Regardless of your preference, Apple lets you show or hide notifications on the Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro series. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Settings app and go to ‘Display & Brightness’.

Step 2: Scroll to ‘Always On Display’ and tap it.

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

3. Change the Style of Notifications

If you want to see notifications with the screen off, here’s how to change their display on Always On Display.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Notifications. Step 2: Select your preferred notification display using the top tab.

If you want to see pending notifications, select Count. For detailed information, choose Stack or List.

These preferences will affect your iPhone’s lock screen and Always On Display.

iOS 16 introduced the ability to customize the lock screen with clock styles, which also apply to the Always On Display. Here’s how to customize the clock style on the iPhone 14 Pro so it reflects on the always-on lock screen.

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

To make the content more concise and impactful, it is necessary to remove redundant words and phrases. Don’t use repetitive ideas or redundant adjectives, and simplify phrasing without losing the original meaning. The objective is to enhance clarity and readability while maintaining the original tone and integrity of the text.

Step 3: Select the clock by tapping on it.

Step 4: Choose the clock font and its color for the Always On Display.

Once you’ve selected your preferences, swipe up to go back to the lock screen and the new clock style will be set. You can view the new clock on both the lock screen and 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 the Customize option at the bottom of the screen and select Lock Screen.

Step 3: Now, add widgets.

Step 4: Go through each widget and select the ones you want to add.

After adding the necessary widgets, swipe up to return to the lock screen. The new widgets will be displayed on both the lock screen and the Always On display, allowing you to easily check the weather or battery levels of other devices.

If you’re not using Focus Modes on your iPhone, you’re missing out on useful DND features. Your iPhone has a default Sleep Focus mode. As the name suggests, it’s used while you’re sleeping to silence notifications and prevent distractions.

Another benefit of Sleep Focus Mode is temporarily turning off Always On Display. If your iPhone is next to you while sleeping, this feature is useful as the screen turns off entirely instead of being 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 the Focus button. You will see all your Focus Modes listed here.

Step 3: Select Sleep to apply Focus Mode.

Now, your iPhone’s Always On Display will automatically turn off shortly.

1. Always On Display and battery consumption

Enabling Always On Display on your iPhone will slightly drain the battery faster than when the feature is disabled.

2. Safety of Always On Display for iPhone’s display

Apple and other brands consider factors like screen burn-in before offering Always On Display. Therefore, enabling this feature is safe for your iPhone.

3. Availability of Always On Display on iPhone 13 Pro

Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t introduce many new features to older devices, so iPhone 13 Pro and other older models won’t have the new Always On Display feature.

Make Your Lock Screen More Functional

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