According to a Twitter leaker who has accurately predicted previous iPhone features, iOS 17 may bring updates to the lock screen, specifically related to the Apple Maps app. The leaker suggests the lock screen may have a second major redesign to allow for expanded application usage.
The new feature would allow users to remove notifications from the lock screen, freeing space for apps to run. The example shows the Maps interface running directly on the lock screen, with directions for the user to follow without opening the app. However, as with all leaks, there is no guarantee that these updates will be implemented in the final version of iOS 17.
Maps would run as Live Activity on the lock screen.
This new feature would work as a Live Activity on the iPhone’s main screen, and users could retrieve notifications by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. The minimized navigation system would run in the background, and the clock and date would continue to be displayed at the top of the locked screen.
The flashlight and camera icons would be at the bottom of the screen, and the number of notifications received while the person was using Apple Maps would be displayed in the center.
This type of Live Activity navigation is not new, as Uber already offers a similar feature. In the Uber app, users can follow their driver’s journey and estimated arrival time without unlocking their iPhones.
However, the Maps interface in iOS 17 seems much larger than Uber’s, taking up more than two-thirds of the screen. Despite this, the feature could be helpful for not interrupting a journey while checking notifications.
There are no details on a new widget, as the aim is to leave the minimized navigation system running in the background.
When will iOS 17 be released?
All the information about iOS 17 lock screen changes is based on leaks and speculation and, therefore, should be taken with a grain of salt. It is possible that these changes were part of internal testing and may not be included in the final release. However, since this is not the first rumor about lock screen changes in iOS 17, the community is closely watching Apple’s next moves.
Apple is expected to officially announce iOS 17 at the upcoming WWDC 2023 event, scheduled for June 5. However, it is expected to be a relatively minor update with technical improvements and minor tweaks.
A beta version will likely be launched after the demo, which will undergo months of adjustments before the final release in September. The new iPhone models, including the iPhone 15, 15 Pro (with its ultra-thin edges), and a lower-priced model that has not yet been named, are also expected to be released then.
