Cell phones have placed multiple technologies in our hands.
A few decades ago, music players, radios, alarms, fax machines, beepers, pager, flashlight, cameras, gaming devices, books or eBook readers, audio recorders, navigation devices, and more were separate equipment. Still, cell phones amalgamated this into one, and we got a device capable of doing all these and more.
More commonly known as smartphones, they can also check the weather, which is helpful if you are planning a trip during monsoon or snow season.
iPhone’s lock screen can display more than time, date, and notification. You can set it to show today’s weather to keep an eye on the weather forecast.
While Android also extends its widget to the lock screen, iOS is late to the party. iOS 16 lets users customize the lock screen, including adding weather information.
Users with iOS 15.5 or before using the feature? Scroll for the answer.
How to Add Weather to iPhone 13 Pro Max Lock Screen
Android has been light years ahead in terms of customization, including embellishing the home and lock screen.
With iOS 16, iPhone users can see notifications in a new interface on the lock screen and customize it entirely – from the clock design to themes.
I have included two primary methods for adding weather to the lock screen. The first method is for iPhone users still on iOS 15 or later, while the second focuses on iOS 16, which Apple announced at WWDC in June 2022.
Remember that iOS 16 is still in beta, and I advise you to wait for its official release. You can download the beta version if you have a spare iPhone.
Method 1: iOS 15 ‘Do not Disturb.’
Those on iOS 12 or later can use this method until iOS 16 is made public.
Before we begin, you should know that enabling ‘Do not Disturb’ and giving location access is imperative.
Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Click on Privacy.
Step 3: Look for Location Services and click on it.
Step 4: Select’ Weather.’
Step 5: Here, you’ll see ‘Allow Location Access.’ Click on ‘Always.’
Step 6: Now that you’ve enabled location services, now’s the time to move to DND.
Step 7: Go back to the Settings app’s main screen.
Step 8: Select the ‘Do Not Disturb’ section.
Step 9: Now, click on the toggle next to the ‘Scheduled’ option. There’s no need to turn on Do Not Disturb right now.
Step 10: You’ll need to set the starting and ending times for Do Not Disturb. Remember to set the end time around 10 to 15 minutes before you wake up.
Step 11: Now, click on the toggle next to the ‘Dim Lock Screen option.’ This feature dims the lock screen so that your screen won’t blind you when you get new notifications.
Step 12: Go to the Settings app’s main screen and select the ‘Privacy’ option.
Step 13: Tap on the ‘Location Services’ option. Here, you’ll need to select the ‘Weather’ app.
Step 14: Click on the ‘While Using the App’ button. This will allow the Weather app to see your location and show you the local forecast.
When you wake up the next day and the ‘Do Not Disturb’ time ends, you’ll see today’s weather report on your lock screen. Here you can see the current temperature and whether it will rain.
Method 2: iOS 16 ‘Lock Screen.
Those who have opted for iOS 16 beta updates and future users of iOS 16 can use this option. Compared to the first method, this one is straightforward.
Step A for this method is to enable location services. Follow steps 1-6 from the above method.
Step B: Add Weather on the Lock Screen
Step 1: Lock your iPhone with Touch ID/Face ID/Pin/Passcode.
Step 2: Long press on the lock screen. You’ll enter the lock screen customization menu.
Step 3: Select’ Customize.’
Step 4: Click on the frame above or below the time to bring up the widgets list.
Step 5: Scroll till you see the Weather widget.
Step 6: Once you have added the Weather widget the way you like, tap on ‘Done’ on the top-right corner of the screen.
Following are the weather widgets you can add to your iPhone’s lock screen:
- Current temperature
- Rain prediction
- Air quality
- UV Index
- Wind speeds
- Sun events
- Moon events
How to enable Weather notifications on your iPhone
Step 1: Open the default Weather app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Click on the icon that resembles a bullet list.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Turn on Notifications’ located at the top of the location list.
Step 4: Click on the circular ellipsis icon located at the top-right corner.
Step 5: Now click on ‘Notifications.’
Step 6: You’ll see a window that says ‘Allow Notifications.’ Click on ‘Continue.’
Step 7: In the following prompt, click on ‘Allow.’
Step 8: Now turn on the switches located parallel to the locations you’d want notifications about.
Step 9: Click on ‘Done.’
You will now get weather alerts on your iPhone.
How to get the Weather widget in the Today View?
iPhone users with iOS 14 or later can glance at today’s weather by adding their device to the Today View, which can be accessed by swiping right. With this, you can check the weather widget for today’s temperature and other related information.
Step 1: On your iPhone, swipe right from the home screen to open the Today View menu.
Step 2: Long-press anywhere on the home screen to enable jiggle mode.
Step 3: Now select ‘+’ in the top left corner.
Step 4: You will now see the widget menu. Keep scrolling till you find Weather.
Step 5: There will be various widget sizes. Choose one and tap on the ‘Add Widget’ button.
Remember that Today View can be accessed from the lock screen as well.
How to add other widgets on the lock screen?
As I have mentioned, iOS 16 adds new features, including viewing the weather on the lock screen. Apart from the weather, there are many more widgets that beta users can take advantage of, even when the new update is made public.
Step 1: Lock your iPhone with Touch ID/Face ID/Pin/Passcode.
Step 2: Long press on the lock screen. You’ll enter the lock screen customization menu.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Customize.’
Step 4: Click on the above frame – date, day, or month at the top or below the time. This will bring up the list of widgets.
Step 5: Select a widget that you want to add. You can also tap on any suggested widgets.
If you want, you can also select from the column list of apps. Swipe on the one you want and then either click on it or drag it to the frame to place it wherever you want.
Step 6: Once you have arranged all the widgets the way you like, tap on ‘Done’ in the top-right corner of the screen.
iPhone models scheduled to get iOS 16
Apple’s 5-year software update plan is well-known, which is why people keep their iPhones for a long time. Follow are the iPhones that will undoubtedly get the iOS 16 update:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone Xs Max
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
FAQs
Can I add a weather widget on iOS 15’s lock screen?
Yes, you can add a weather widget on your iPhone with iOS 15, but it’s a complex process and requires using the ‘Do not Disturb’ feature.
When will iOS 16 be released?
Apple did not mention a date, but it will release to the public in September 2022, mostly after they launch the 2022 iPhones. For the record, iOS 15 was launched on Monday, September 20, 2021.
Is it safe to download the iOS 16 beta version?
I advise you against downloading iOS 16 on your everyday iPhone as the bugs could render it useless. Moreover, you’ll need to do a backup and wait for the next beta version of the current one to have too many bugs.
You can update to iOS 16 in two scenarios: if iPhone is not your primary phone or if you have an extra iPhone.
Conclusion
These are the only known methods that let you add weather to iPhone’s lock screen.
Android users once again get a chance to say that they had this feature before iPhones, but the thing about Apple is that they enhanced the feature.
The prime example is widgets, and Android has had it since its conception in 2008, while iOS embraced it in 2020 with iOS 14. Unlike Android, iOS lets you stack multiple widgets on top of each other, saving the effort of adding numerous home screens.
Now that lock screen customization is here; we know that iOS 16 is treading the right path, and people believe that Apple will introduce more user-friendly features with each iOS update.
Maybe an ‘Always on Display’ feature with iOS 17? Not too much to ask of the developers, right?
