Apple has introduced a new compact clock option for the iPhone Lock Screen in the upcoming iOS 27 update. While previous versions allowed the clock to dominate the display, this new setting shrinks the time to a size similar to the date and moves it to the top row. This change allows users to view more of their wallpaper without obstruction.
To enable this feature, users hold the Lock Screen and tap the customize button. Once in the Font and Color panel, selecting the icon with two horizontal bars switches the clock into compact mode. The update keeps existing font and color preferences, though the Liquid Glass slider is removed when using the compact layout.
This setting is not global, meaning users can configure different Lock Screens with varying clock sizes based on their specific needs or Focus modes. iOS 27 is currently in public beta, with a full release scheduled for September.