Common issues with lock screen customization on iOS 17 revolve around several recurring themes reported by users in forums, Reddit, and technical discussions. Here is an in-depth overview highlighting these problems, their manifestations, and potential workarounds.
Wallpaper and Lock Screen Loading Issues
One of the most frequently reported issues with iOS 17 lock screen customization is that users experience their custom lock screens and wallpapers not loading correctly. Upon attempting to select a custom wallpaper, users sometimes see only a blank or black screen instead of the expected image. This problem may affect both custom and default wallpapers, sometimes leaving the wallpaper selection screen entirely blank or non-responsive.A temporary user-discovered workaround is to change the phone's region settings to another region and then revert back to the original region. This method has helped some users regain access to their custom wallpapers, although it is not a guaranteed or stable fix for everyone and may revert after a device restart. In some cases, creating a completely new lock screen and then switching back to previous ones has helped circumvent this bug temporarily. These issues have been most prevalent during beta releases or early versions of iOS 17 but may persist in some form even in later builds.
Lock Screen Customization Loop and Failures on iPadOS 17
Users with iPadOS 17 have reported an issue where attempting to customize the lock screen leads to a loop, making it impossible to save changes. The process involves choosing to add a new wallpaper, selecting a wallpaper, customizing fonts, and widgets, but when trying to add or save the customization, the setup briefly shows a pairing screen and then returns to the customization start screen, losing all the changes made. This looping behavior prevents users from successfully customizing their lock screen.Widgets Malfunctioning on Lock Screen
Lock screen widgets introduced with iOS 16 and extended in iOS 17 also bring issues. Users report lock screen widgets not functioning correctly or failing to display information on iOS 17. Workarounds often involve restarting the device, removing and re-adding widgets, and ensuring the associated apps are updated. Sometimes, face recognition problems or notification center glitches interfere with widget operation. Pressing and holding on the lock screen to trigger customization or interaction may not work immediately without unlocking the device. These widget issues affect the overall lock screen experience and customization smoothness.Font and Notification Display Complaints
While some issues are technical bugs, others concern user experience and design choices in iOS 17's lock screen customization. Similar to the feedback from iOS 16, some users find the new default clock font on the lock screen to be displeasingâoverly thick and aggressive in appearance. The customization process may force users to choose a new wallpaper image before they can modify font or widget settings, which can be frustrating when trying to maintain old wallpapers. Notifications may also display in a way that users find less useful or aesthetically pleasing due to changes in how iOS manages the lock screen layout.Other User-Reported Bugs
Other less frequent but noted bugs include the lock screen turning completely black with text colors changing unexpectedly, which can interfere with both visibility and customization. These issues tend to appear randomly and may persist across device restarts and iOS updates, especially on iPhone models like the iPhone 14 Pro. They contribute to an unstable lock screen customization experience on iOS 17.General Troubleshooting Steps Recommended
Common troubleshooting steps to alleviate or fix lock screen customization issues include:- Restarting the iPhone or iPad, which often fixes temporary glitches.
- Changing region settings briefly and then reverting them.
- Removing and re-adding widgets on the lock screen.
- Ensuring iOS and all related apps are updated to the latest versions.
- Long-pressing on the lock screen to trigger the customization interface properly.
- Reporting bugs to Apple via the feedback app to accelerate fixes in future updates.
Summary
iOS 17 lock screen customization issues span technical bugs like wallpaper loading failures, infinite customization loops (especially on iPadOS), and malfunctioning widgets, along with user experience frustrations around forced wallpaper changes and font aesthetics. Despite improvements from previous iOS versions, these problems continue to affect a significant number of users, especially with early or beta releases of iOS 17. Users have found partial or temporary workarounds, but many issues await permanent fixes from Apple through software updates.This overview captures many bilateral aspects of lock screen customization issues reported with iOS 17 based on user community and expert feedback, ensuring a broad understanding of possible challenges faced when customizing the lock screen on this iOS version.