{"id":104893,"date":"2025-06-17T09:33:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T08:33:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=104893"},"modified":"2025-06-17T09:33:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T08:33:54","slug":"apples-animated-lock-screen-artwork-could-come-to-spotify-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/apples-animated-lock-screen-artwork-could-come-to-spotify-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple\u2019s animated lock screen artwork could come to Spotify and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Apple is opening the door to animated lock screen visuals for third-party apps with its upcoming iOS 26 update.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple\u2019s animated lock screen art: Not just for Apple Music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At last week\u2019s WWDC25<\/a>, Apple<\/a> announced it\u2019s set to introduce animated lock screen album artwork<\/a> with iOS 26. This will effectively turn your phone into a full-screen visual experience while you play your favourite tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, it appeared the feature would be exclusive for Apple Music<\/a> users. However, it now seems that won’t be the case according to 9to5Mac<\/a>. Thanks to Apple opening up a new API (application programming interface), other third-party apps like Spotify could also tap into this eye-catching feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developers can currently test the API, letting them add animated video clips for the system to display on the lock screen while music or audio plays. This means we could see vibrant visuals accompanying everything from Spotify<\/a> music to audiobook narrations and podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developers can also provide placeholder animations to show while the full animated artwork loads. Once this rolls out, your iPhone lock screen could become a new digital canvas for immersive visual experiences when you\u2019re listening to music or audio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timing: When can we expect it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

iOS 26 is currently in developer beta, so users will have to wait until iOS 26 is publicly released to see the animated lock-screen artwork for third-party apps. The public release is expected this fall, when the new iOS 26 software will be available as a free update for all iPhone users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else is coming with iOS 26?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The animated lock screen is just one of several music-focused updates arriving with iOS 26. Apple Music is also getting real-time lyric translations, a lyrics pronunciation tool, an AI-powered AutoMix feature, and a new way to pin favourite content in your library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apple Music gets fresh features at WWDC25: Animated lock screen album art, Lyric Translation, Lyric Pronunciation, and more<\/a><\/blockquote>