How Does Apple Music Work on Lock Screen

Part 1. Apple Music App Interface vs. Widget

The Apple Music App Interface:

The Apple Music app is your full music hub. Inside, you can explore your library, create playlists, discover new songs, and use features like shuffle, repeat, and liking tracks. You can also check out lyrics and artist info—all in one place.

The Apple Music Widgets:

Widgets are mini versions of your apps that live right on your phone's home or lock screen. They give you quick access to actions like play, pause, or skip—without needing to open the full Apple Music app. Since iOS 16, iPhone users can add Apple Music widgets that show large album art and basic playback controls right on the lock or home screen. Android users have had similar widgets for a while, and now Apple is catching up.

Apple Music App Interface vs. Widgets:

While the app gives you full control, the widget is built for quick access and convenience. It not only gives you instant access to key features but also keeps you updated so you're never missing out. Many users enjoy the vibrant album art on the lock screen, though some miss features like shuffle or the "love" button—meaning they still jump into the app when needed. Plus, the large album art can sometimes cover your wallpaper, which some find distracting.

Still, widgets are a must-have for daily tasks—giving you fast, glanceable control without opening the app every time.

In short, the Apple Music app is your complete music center, and the lock screen widget is a handy shortcut for quick controls and visual flair. Knowing how they differ helps you make the most of both.

Part 2. How to Add the Apple Music Widget to the Home Screen

Widgets were once exclusive to Android, but since the release of iOS 16, iPhone users can now access widgets as well. With widgets, you can access apps like Apple Music directly from your home or lock screen.

The Apple Music widget lets you control playback, discover suggested tracks, or view your playlists—all without opening the app itself. The process is simple, but the steps vary slightly depending on whether you're using iPhone or Android.

For iPhone:

1. Touch and hold the Home Screen background until the apps begin to jiggle.
2. Tap the '+' button at the top of the screen to open the widget gallery.
3. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the Apple Music widget.
4. Swipe through the available sizes (small, medium, large) and choose the one that suits your preference.
5. Tap 'Add Widget,' then position it on your Home Screen as desired.
6. Tap 'Done' to exit jiggle mode.

For Android:

1. Touch and hold the home screen background until options appear, opening the widget menu.
2. Tap Widgets or the '+' button (depending on your Android version).
3. Browse or search for Apple Music from the list of available widgets.
4. Android offers a few size options, such as small, medium, and large. Select the one you prefer.
5. Drag the widget to your desired position on the home screen.
6. Adjust the size or position as needed, and the widget will remain on your home screen for quick access to your music.

Part 3. How to Add the Apple Music Widget to the Lock Screen

Apple introduced Live Activities in iOS 16 to enhance the Lock Screen, offering dynamic, real-time updates during active media playback. This includes track progress, album art, and playback controls (such as play, pause, skip, rewind) directly on the Lock Screen - no need to open the Now Playing view.

While the Now Playing widget automatically appears on the Lock Screen during media playback (like when listening to Apple Music), adding a dedicated Apple Music widget requires using Live Activities. This feature is managed by iOS and provides seamless updates during active playback. You can further customize your Lock Screen by adding other shortcuts or widgets, such as Apple Music controls or app-related shortcuts.

For iPhone:

1. Press and hold the Lock Screen until the options appear, then tap 'Customize.'
2. Tap 'Add Widgets' to open the widget selection screen.
3. Browse through the available widgets and select those related to Apple Music (such as Now Playing, Apple Music shortcuts, or Live Activities). Note that the system may automatically add a Now Playing widget during active music playback.
4. Once selected, drag and position the widgets where you want them on your Lock Screen.
5. After positioning the widgets, tap 'Done' to save your Lock Screen layout.

For Android:

While Android doesn't support Apple Music-specific Lock Screen widgets, media controls for active playback will appear in the notification panel when playing music. You can use these controls to manage your Apple Music playback without unlocking your phone.

Part 4. How to Fix the Apple Music Widget on the Lock Screen

At times, users may encounter issues with the Apple Music widget on their Lock Screen. For instance, the "Now Playing" window may fail to appear when music is playing, or conversely, the widget may remain on the Lock Screen even after music has stopped.

If you're facing these issues, here's a step-by-step guide to help resolve them:

Step 1Update Your iOS

Occasionally, issues with system features like widgets can be resolved by updating iOS. To ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Step 2Close Background Apps

A common issue is that another app might be running in the background, interfering with the widget. Here's how to identify and close the app that might be causing this:

• For iPhones with Face ID:
  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to see all open apps.
  2. Locate the Music app or any app that might be playing music.
  3. Swipe up on the app's preview to close it completely.
• For iPhones with a Home Button:
  1. Double-click the Home button to bring up the app switcher.
  2. Swipe left or right to find the Music app preview.
  3. Swipe up on the Music app to close it.

Step 3Check for Bluetooth Connections

If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device (like headphones or a speaker), it may prevent the Music app from appearing in the app switcher.

1. Try disconnecting the Bluetooth device to see if the widget resumes functioning correctly.
2. Alternatively, check the Control Center to confirm whether playback is still active.

Step 4Check Apple Music Progress

If you're still having issues, try the following:

1. Open the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom (for older iPhones) or swiping down from the top-right corner (for newer iPhones with Face ID).
2. In the Music section, check if music is still playing.
3. If music is paused, tap the Play button to resume playback. This should trigger the Now Playing widget to appear on your Lock Screen. If the widget issue persists, try completely closing the Apple Music app:
1. Follow the previous steps to close background apps.
2. Return to the Home Screen and reopen the Music app.

Step 5Recheck the Lock Screen

After completing the steps above, check your Lock Screen again:

1. The Music widget should disappear when playback stops.
2. The Now Playing widget will only appear when music is actively playing, providing live updates on track information, album art, and controls.
3. If the issue persists, try restarting your iPhone to clear out any minor software glitches that might be affecting the Lock Screen behavior.

Part 5. How to Remove the Apple Music Widget from the Home Screen

There are various reasons why users might want to remove the Apple Music widget from their Lock Screen. For example, some people, like myself, accidentally drag the slider, which can disrupt their music playback and make it harder to get back to the right track.

If you find this happening or just prefer a cleaner Lock Screen, here are a few methods to remove the Apple Music widget.

Method 1: Disconnect Bluetooth Devices

Sometimes, when Bluetooth devices are connected, the Music widget may appear on the Lock Screen, even if the Music app isn't open.

Tip: This issue can also occur if there's an automation in the Shortcuts app (e.g., "When [Your iPhone's name] connects to any Bluetooth device, Play Music").

1. Open the Settings app from the Home Screen.
2. Tap Bluetooth and turn off Bluetooth or disconnect the device under MY DEVICES.
3. If the Music widget is still showing, open the Music app from the Home Screen.
4. Swipe up from the Home Screen or use the App Switcher to find the Music app's preview and swipe it up to close it.

Method 2: Turn off Notifications for Music

If Music app notifications are enabled, this can sometimes cause the widget to remain visible.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to Notifications > Music.
3. Turn off Allow Notifications or uncheck Lock Screen under ALERTS to stop Music notifications from appearing on your Lock Screen.

Method 3: Disable Access for Music When Locked

You can prevent the Music widget from showing on the Lock Screen by adjusting the Lock Screen settings.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to Touch ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
3. Scroll down to ALLOW ACCESS WHEN LOCKED and uncheck Today View, Search, Notification Center, and Lock Screen Widgets.
4. Lock your iPhone and check if the Music widget still appears.

Method 4: Unlink Focus Mode from the Lock Screen

If Focus mode is linked to your Lock Screen, it can sometimes cause persistent media controls to appear, even when music isn't playing.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to Focus > Select your active Focus mode (e.g., Do Not Disturb).
3. Scroll down to the Lock Screen section and toggle off any settings that allow media controls or notifications from the Music app during Focus mode.
4. Check the Lock Screen again to see if the Music widget is removed.

Method 5: Reboot the Device

Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve issues with widgets on the Lock Screen.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to General > Shut Down and drag the slider to power off the device.
3. After a few seconds, press and hold the side or top button to restart the device.
4. Open the Music app and check if the widget is still on the Lock Screen.

Method 6: Reset Settings to Default

Resetting settings on your iPhone can often fix issues without affecting personal data or media content.

Note: Resetting settings will remove network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards. Your apps and media will not be affected.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
3. Enter your passcode and confirm by tapping Reset All Settings.
4. After the settings are reset, return to the Music app and check if the widget is removed from the Lock Screen.

Method 7: Restart the Device

If you're still having trouble, restarting your device might help resolve the issue.

1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
3. Press and hold the Side/Top button until the Apple logo appears.
4. Once the device restarts, check if the Apple Music widget is gone from the Lock Screen.

Method 8: Update Software

If none of the above methods work, the issue may be related to the current iOS version. Check for updates to ensure you're using the latest version of iOS.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Wait for iOS to check for updates. If a new version is available (e.g., iOS 16.1 or higher), tap Download and Install.
4. If Automatic Updates is off, turn it on to allow iOS to download future updates automatically.
5. After the update, try the steps again to remove Apple Music from the Lock Screen.

Part 6. Best Alternative Way to Get Apple Music Off My Lock Screen

While the Apple Music widget on iOS offers basic functionality, it can feel limiting for users seeking more control. For a more tailored experience, consider using ViWizard Apple Music Converter. Unlike the native widget, which is tied to iOS, ViWizard allows you to remove DRM from Apple Music content and convert your songs into formats that can be played through third-party apps or media players. This gives you full control over your music without relying on the Lock Screen widget.

Additionally, transferring your Apple Music content to a more flexible platform like Google Drive can provide greater control. With ViWizard, you can easily transfer and access your music, free from restrictions, and enjoy it on your terms - whether through a different app or without the interruption of the default widget. If you're looking to go beyond the basics and fully take control of your media, this is a great solution.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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