Apple Enables Third-Party Widgets in Lock Screen for iOS 18

Design · 5 min read

With iOS 18, Apple carefully curated an API that allows third-party widgets to appear on the lock screen with limited interaction types: quick toggles, glanceable data, and short-form replies.

Widgets operate in a sandboxed execution environment; they can refresh under user-configured schedules or in response to system triggers but cannot access broad background data. Apple introduced a review checklist focused on battery life and privacy for lock screen widgets.

Designers will appreciate new widget templates optimized for legibility under varying wallpaper contrasts and for glance-safe content hierarchy. This move broadens the ecosystem for home and lock screen experiences while retaining Apple's strict privacy posture.