Apple has continued its trend of giving users more creative freedom in how their iPhones look and feel, and one of the new customization options in iOS 26 is the ability to add a clock to your lock screen. The feature, part of Apple’s refreshed iPhone software language, allows time to expand across the screen, giving it a bold, modern look. Whether you prefer the minimalist look of small numbers or the big, over-the-top clock effect, iOS 26 makes it easy to adjust your lock screen style to suit your style.
This new relaxation method is officially called “Asynchronous Time,” and it transforms what used to be a kitchen screen into something that feels fluid and responsive. By dragging a simple handle on the screen, you can expand or reduce the size of the display window, creating a different visual effect that gives your new screen.
How to extend your lock watch
To access the extension option, first turn on your iPhone and stay on the lock screen. Instead of turning on the device, press and hold anywhere on the display to enter customization mode. This brings up a carousel of your saved lock screens, allowing you to sort the one that’s currently active. Tap “Customize,” and select the “Lock screen” option to install the editor.
As soon as the editing screen appears, directly touch the clock. This will bring the standard font and color panel introduced in previous versions of iOS. To make the stretch feature available, the first Font Option (default and left style) must be selected. It should also be set to use the Western Arabic script. After confirming these settings, touch the clock again to close the font panel.
If the wallpaper supports the feature, a small drag handle will appear at the bottom of the clock. Touch and hold this handle, then drag it down to stretch the watch. The digits will increase in real time as you move your finger. When you are happy with the size, remove the handle. To save your changes, tap “done” in the upper right corner of the screen. Exiting customization mode will reveal your new, enlarged clock on the lock screen.
If the extension feature does not appear, the issue is usually related to the font or wallpaper. Some wallpapers, especially those with servers that fill the upper part of the frame, limit how much the clock can grow. If the image leaves a large open space, iOS hides the handle to protect the time from overlapping the important areas of the image. Changing to a lighter or more colorful wallpaper usually solves this.
Understanding the clock feature of the clock
In previous versions of iOS, the lock screen clock was fixed in place. It doesn’t matter if the background image is used, its size and position remain the same. IOS 26 changes that I present a push handle from the bottom right corner of the clock when the screen is in editing mode. When this handle is pulled down, the digits expand, allowing the time to stretch further into the center of the screen. The feature works in both directions, meaning the watch can be returned to its previous size if the custom look is too big for you.
The Clock effect works best with Apple’s Liquid Glass visual design introduced in IOS 26. However, the resizing tool is not available for all setups. It only works where certain conditions are met, including the use of the default clock font and standard Western script. If there is another font or script selected, the extension handle will not appear.
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Troubleshooting and limitations
The scrolling function in IOS 26 is a visual fix, not a full lock screen redesign, and there are a few limitations you should be aware of. It only works with the default clock font, and changing the typeface or script will remove the dynamic option entirely. Users who rely on different price ranges or custom fonts will not see the handle appear. Similarly, widgets can interfere with resizing if they take up too much space under the clock. Temporarily removing can make it easier to adjust the size of the watch.
Some users have reported that the extension handle disappears after a software update or when running something focused on them. However, restarting your iPhone or disabling those methods usually restores. Since this is a relatively new feature, Apple may still be working out how it works across different iPhone models and Lock-Screen Setups.
The visual effect of the clock made depends a lot on your Wallpaper. Low bases with clear space at the top allow time to expand without installing a screen. Complex or busy images tend to reduce the effect, as the watch will automatically adjust its clarity and positioning to remain readable. The extended design looks especially polished in the wallpapers that match the new austotic apple active aesthetic, where the colors combine subtly by using numbers of transparent transparent light.
Making the best of your custom made watch
While the extension feature is primarily a cosmetic feature, it does offer following the broader trend of iOS customization. Apple’s lock screen tools now include Widgets options, deep wallpapers, color filters and dynamic images, giving users more control than ever over its appearance. Clock is a natural fit in this toolkit, providing an easy way to change the entire feel of your lock screen in seconds.
For users who prefer a bold, modern design, the larger clock size provides a faster impact and better visibility. Those who want a more minimal design can keep it clear by dragging the handle up to restore a small, classic bullet. Whatever your preference, the process is quick and easy, which means you can experiment freely without losing your original design.
Apple’s focus with iOS 26 is clearly on the original and the Polish. The watch made may seem like a small detail, but it captures the whole philosophy behind this update, mixing design flexibility with simple, accurate body flexibility. With just a few taps and a short drag, your iPhone lock screen can transform into something uniquely yours, whether that’s a subtle upgrade or a bold statement across the display.
