Apple’s Always On Display has been pretty consistent since its debut on the iPhone 14 Pro. With iOS 26, Apple has quietly changed how it works in ways that may not be obvious.
Always-on display modes
Instead of just dimming your lock screen wallpaper, the system blurs it by default in iOS 26.
The tweak makes the clock and widgets stand out more, but it also defeats the purpose of showing a photo if that’s what you like about the feature.
Fortunately, there is also an option to revert to the original behavior.
In iOS 18, Always-On Display worked much like it did in iOS 26. A grayed-out version of your lock screen remains visible when your iPhone is locked, giving you quick access to essentials like the clock, date, notifications, and widgets.
The screen turns off completely when face down, covered, in CarPlay, using the Continuity Camera, in Low Power Mode, when Sleep Focus is enabled, or at bedtime.
Customization has always been limited but useful. You can decide whether or not the wallpaper appears and whether notifications are displayed.
This means your always-on screen can be clean and utility-focused, or keep the personality of your wallpaper and lock screen setup.
iOS 26 brings a big change
With iOS 26, wallpapers are blurry by default when the screen is grayed out. The effect probably improves readability, but changes the appearance of the lock screen.
For me, I think I’d rather not display a wallpaper than be presented with a blurry version of my lock screen image.
Luckily, Apple added a toggle alongside the behavior change to put you in control.
In Settings > Display & Brightness > Always-on display, you can turn off blurry wallpapers so that your lock screen appears as clear as before.
Which behavior do you prefer? Is blurring better for privacy and sensitivity, or does it defeat your purpose?
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