Can I make the time on my iPhone or iPad lock screen easier to read?

Liquid Glass, the new iPhone and iPad look introduced in iOS and iPadOS 26, can make the time dispayed on the lock screen difficult to read. Fortunately, so long as you are using iOS or iPadOS 26.2 or later, it is possible to turn off Liquid Glass effects  for the time displayed on the loc screen. Here's how:

If you aren't using VoiceOver:

Lock screen customisation is performed on the lock screen itself and not in Settings. The customisation process begins by verifying that it's you with FaceID, TouchID or passcode. You may need to attempt to start the customisation process a few times.

Begin by displaying the lock screen

If your device uses FaceID, long press the screen while holding the device sufficiently far away for it to see and identify your face. You should now see a smaller version of the lock screen with a Customise button below it.

If your device uses TouchID long press the screen and you should see a screen offering TouchID or passcode. Choose whichever you wish and after you have signed in, you should see a smaller version of the lock screen with a Customise button below it.

Next tap Customise and then tap the time display. At the bottom of the screen there will be two buttons, Glass and Solid. Tap Solid to revert to a clearly visible clock. You can make other changes to the time display here if you wish. When you are finished changing the time displaytap outside the time display settings window to dismiss it. Finally tap the Done button at top right of the screen.

If you are using VoiceOver:

Lock screen customisation is performed on the lock screen itself and not in Settings. The customisation process begins by verifying that it's you with FaceID, TouchID or passcode. You may need to attempt to start the customisation process a few times.

Begin by displaying the lock screen.

If your device uses FaceID, triple tap the screen while holding the device sufficiently far away for it to see and identify your face. If successful, you should hear rising tones followed by "collections wallpaper button" or something similar.

If your device uses TouchID triple tap and you should reach a screen offering TouchID or passcode. Choose whichever you wish and after you are successfully identified you should hear "collections wallpaper button" or something similar.

Next double tap Customise  at bottom centre of the screen and then locate the clock widget near top centre of the screen and double tap. At the bottom of the screen there will be two buttons, Glass and Solid. Double tap Solid to revert to a clearly visible clock. You can make other changes to the time display here if you wish. When you are finished changing the time display locate the clock widget again near top centre of the screen and double tap to dismiss the settings. Finally double tap the Done button at top right of the screen.

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last updated 15 December 2025