85% of iPhone owners check their schedule at least once a day, according to a recent survey. Seeing the calendar right on the lock screen can turn a quick glance into a useful reminder without unlocking the device.

Why it matters

Having the calendar visible on the lock screen saves time and reduces the need to open the app. It also helps users stay aware of upcoming events, especially when the phone is frequently checked for notifications.

Enabling the lock‑screen calendar

Open Settings and tap on Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on the model. Scroll to the section labeled “Allow Access When Locked” and turn on Calendar. The option may appear under “Today View” for newer iOS versions. Once enabled, the lock screen will display a small widget that shows the day’s events.

What you’ll see

After activation, the lock screen presents a concise list of meetings, birthdays, and reminders. Tapping the widget opens the full Calendar app, letting you edit or add new entries. The feature works with both personal and shared calendars, keeping everything in one place.

Keeping the calendar on lock screen offers a way to stay organized throughout the day.

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Questions on the topic

1. How can I add a calendar widget to the lock screen on my iPhone?
To place a calendar widget on your iPhone’s lock screen, first ensure your device is running iOS 16 or later, as earlier versions do not support lock‑screen widgets. Open the Settings app, tap “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode” on older models), and enter your passcode. Scroll down to the “Allow Access When Locked” section and make sure “Today View” is enabled. Then, swipe right on the lock screen to reveal the Today View, scroll to the bottom, and tap “Edit.” Tap the plus (+) button next to the Calendar widget, choose the size you prefer (small, medium, or large), and tap “Add Widget.” Finally, tap “Done” to save your changes. The calendar will now appear on the lock screen whenever you swipe right, giving you quick access to upcoming events without unlocking the phone.

2. Why isn’t my calendar widget showing up on the iPhone lock screen, and how can I fix it?
If the calendar widget isn’t appearing, the most common reasons are an outdated iOS version, disabled lock‑screen widget access, or a misconfigured widget size. First, verify that your iPhone is updated to iOS 16 or newer by going to Settings → General → Software Update. Next, confirm that lock‑screen widgets are allowed: open Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, and ensure “Today View” is toggled on. If those settings are correct, revisit the lock‑screen widget area by swiping right, tapping “Edit,” and confirming that the Calendar widget is added and positioned where you want it. If the widget still doesn’t show, try removing it, restarting your iPhone, and adding it again. Occasionally, a full device restart or resetting all settings (Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings) can resolve stubborn glitches.

3. Can I customize which calendars appear in the lock screen widget on my iPhone?
Yes, you can control which calendars feed the lock‑screen widget. Open the Settings app, scroll down to “Calendar,” and tap “Accounts.” Here you’ll see a list of all accounts (iCloud, Google, Exchange, etc.) that sync calendars to your iPhone. Toggle off any calendar you don’t want displayed. For finer control, go back to Settings → Calendar → Sync, and select “All Events” or a specific time range. When you add the Calendar widget to the lock screen, it will automatically pull events from the enabled calendars. If you have multiple calendars within a single account (e.g., personal and work calendars under the same iCloud account), you can manage them directly in the Calendar app by tapping “Calendars” at the bottom left and checking or unchecking individual calendars. The widget will reflect these selections in real time, allowing you to keep only the most relevant events visible on the lock screen.

4. Does adding a calendar widget to the lock screen affect my iPhone’s battery life or performance?
Adding a calendar widget to the lock screen has a negligible impact on battery life and overall performance. The widget updates only when the lock screen is refreshed—typically when you wake the device or when a new event is added. iOS optimizes background tasks, so the widget does not continuously poll for data. However, if you have many widgets or use a high‑frequency refresh schedule (e.g., a weather widget that updates every few minutes), you might notice a slight increase in power consumption. For most users, the calendar widget’s occasional updates consume less than 1 % of daily battery usage. To minimize any potential impact, keep the widget size modest (small or medium) and avoid stacking multiple resource‑heavy widgets on the same lock screen page.

5. Are there third‑party apps that provide more advanced calendar lock‑screen features for iPhone users?
While iOS’s native Calendar widget offers basic event previews, several third‑party apps enhance lock‑screen calendar functionality with additional features such as custom colors, event categories, and deeper integration with task managers. Apps like “Widgetsmith,” “Fantastical,” and “Calendars 5” allow you to create personalized calendar widgets that can be placed on the lock screen via the same Today View editing process. These apps often support multiple widget sizes, custom fonts, and the ability to display events from specific calendars only. Some, like Fantastical, also provide natural language parsing, allowing you to add events directly from the lock screen using Siri shortcuts. To use a third‑party widget, download the app from the App Store, configure the widget within the app’s settings, then add it to the lock screen by swiping right, tapping “Edit,” and selecting the newly created widget from the list of available options. Remember that third‑party widgets may request additional permissions, so review privacy settings carefully before granting access.

Questions on the topic

FAQ: Put Calendar on Lock Screen iPhone

Q1: How can I display my calendar events on the iPhone lock screen?
A: Use the “Today View” widget: swipe right on the lock screen, tap “Edit,” add the Calendar widget, and position it at the top. The widget will show upcoming events without unlocking the phone.

Q2: Can I set a specific calendar to appear on the lock screen?
A: Yes. Open Settings > Calendar > Default Calendar and select the calendar you want to show. The lock‑screen widget will then prioritize events from that calendar.

Q3: Will my calendar events be visible when the iPhone is locked with a passcode?
A: By default, lock‑screen widgets are visible even with a passcode enabled. If you want to hide them, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and toggle “Today View” off.

Q4: How do I customize the amount of detail shown for each event on the lock screen?
A: Open Settings > Calendar > Show Event Details and choose “Full,” “Partial,” or “None.” The selected level of detail will reflect in the lock‑screen widget.

Q5: Is there a way to receive calendar notifications directly on the lock screen?
A: Enable notifications in Settings > Notifications > Calendar, then set “Lock Screen” as an allowed alert style. You’ll get banner or alert notifications for upcoming events without unlocking.

Q6: Can third‑party calendar apps replace the native Calendar widget on the lock screen?
A: Some apps, like Fantastical or Google Calendar, offer lock‑screen widgets that can be added via the same “Edit” process in Today View. Install the app, add its widget, and configure the displayed calendar within the app’s settings.