Apple continues to refine the iPhone experience with iOS 26, and one of the more visually striking additions is the support for full-screen animated album art on the Lock Screen. This new feature brings music playback to life, adding dynamic visuals that enhance the overall listening experience.
What Is Animated Album Art on the Lock Screen?
In earlier iOS versions, animated album art was confined to the Apple Music app. With iOS 26, certain songs now display animated visuals directly on the Lock Screen, offering users a more immersive and engaging way to enjoy music.
When you’re playing a compatible track, the Lock Screen player can show the album art in full-screen, complete with motion and fluid design.
How to Enable Full-Screen Animated Album Art in iOS 26
Using this feature is effortless and doesn’t require any special settings. Follow these steps to enjoy animated album art on your Lock Screen:
Step 1. To get going, open the Apple Music app and play a song that includes animated album artwork. Note that not all songs support this feature yet, but many popular titles already do.
Step 2. Now, lock your iPhone or tap the Side button to wake the Lock Screen while the song is playing.
Step 3. On the Lock Screen music player, tap the visible album artwork. This action expands the album art into a full-screen animated display, making it the centerpiece of the Lock Screen.
That’s all it takes. There are no toggles to enable—just tap and enjoy.
Aesthetic Enhancements with iOS 26
The full-screen animated artwork blends perfectly with the new Liquid Glass UI introduced in iOS 26. The subtle transparency and fluid transitions amplify the visual appeal, allowing the animated artwork to interact seamlessly with the overall Lock Screen environment.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Not all songs support animation: Animated album art is limited to select tracks in Apple Music. Apple is gradually expanding the library, so expect more songs to support this feature over time.
- Only on Lock Screen: This visual enhancement is exclusive to the Lock Screen while music is playing. It won’t carry over into Home Screen widgets or other parts of the system.
Wrapping up..!
Full-screen animated album art is one of those thoughtful additions that make the iPhone feel more modern and responsive to user preferences. It turns music playback into a visual experience, making the Lock Screen more than just a place for notifications.
If you’re using iOS 26, give it a try with your favorite tracks—you might find yourself listening with your eyes as much as your ears.
