Apple has added another Lock Screen customization option in iOS 27, giving users a simple way to make the clock smaller and free up more room for their wallpaper. Instead of the large, centered clock introduced with recent versions of iOS, you can now switch to a compact layout that moves the time to the top of the screen alongside the date.
The feature is especially useful if you use photo wallpapers, since the standard clock can cover faces, objects, or other important parts of an image. Here’s how to enable the smaller Lock Screen clock on your iPhone.
A Compact Clock Button in the Font and Color Panel Moves the Time Beside the Date
The compact Lock Screen clock is available on all iPhone models that support iOS 27. You do not need an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, as this is a standard system customization feature. If you don’t see the option, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 27.
- Wake your iPhone and touch and hold the Lock Screen.
- Swipe to the Lock Screen you want to edit if you use multiple wallpapers.
- Tap Customize.
- Select Lock Screen.
- Tap the clock to open the Font & Color menu.
- Tap the new Minimize icon in the upper-right corner of the panel.
- Tap Done to save your changes.
Once enabled, the clock moves to the top widget area next to the date, leaving much more of your wallpaper visible. The font, weight and color you chose carry over to the compact clock, but the clock’s Liquid Glass slider is unavailable while it stays in compact mode.
Switching Back to the Standard Clock Takes One Tap
If you decide you prefer the larger clock, switching back only takes a few seconds.
- Touch and hold your Lock Screen.
- Tap Customize.
- Select Lock Screen.
- Tap the clock.
- Tap the standard clock icon to disable the compact layout.
- Tap Done to save your changes.
Your Lock Screen will immediately return to the larger clock design. The setting applies only to the Lock Screen you are editing, so you can keep a compact clock on one wallpaper and the standard clock on another.
A Smaller Clock Keeps Photo Wallpapers Clearer
The compact clock doesn’t change how your Lock Screen works, but it does make the overall layout feel cleaner. More of your wallpaper stays visible, and portrait photos are less likely to be covered by the clock.
It also pairs well with simple wallpapers and minimal widget setups, and Apple Watch users who rarely check the time on their iPhone may prefer the less distracting layout. The clock switches between only two sizes, the standard one and the compact one, so there is no in-between setting to adjust.
