Add a daily Bible verse to your iPhone lock screen
You can put a daily King James Version verse on an iPhone lock screen in about two minutes. iOS lets you long-press the lock screen, tap Customise, and drop a widget into the row under the clock — and if you would rather not install anything, a saved verse image used as wallpaper gives you the same result with zero apps.
How to Add a Bible Verse Widget to iPhone Lock Screen
- 1
Unlock and long-press
Wake the iPhone, unlock it with Face ID or your passcode, then press and hold anywhere on the lock screen until the wallpaper gallery appears.
- 2
Tap Customise
Tap Customise under the current lock screen, then choose Lock Screen (the left-hand card).
- 3
Open the widget row
Tap the rectangular area directly beneath the clock. The Add Widgets sheet slides up from the bottom.
- 4
Pick a Bible or Scripture widget
Search the list for a Bible or verse-of-the-day widget you already have installed and tap it to place it in the row. You can fit two small widgets or one wide widget.
- 5
Save and check
Tap Done, then Set as Wallpaper Pair. Lock the phone and confirm the verse shows under the clock.
- 6
No app? Use a verse wallpaper instead
Open our daily verse page on your iPhone, screenshot it, then go to Settings → Wallpaper → Add New Wallpaper → Photos and choose the screenshot. You get the verse on the lock screen without installing anything.
Worth knowing
- Lock screen widgets need iOS 16 or later. On iOS 15 and earlier, only home screen widgets and wallpaper work.
- Widgets under the clock are tiny — a short verse (John 11:35, Psalm 46:1, Philippians 4:13) reads far better than a long one.
- For a bigger verse, add a medium widget to the home screen instead: long-press the home screen, tap the + button, and choose the widget size.
- The Shortcuts app can also set a new verse wallpaper automatically each morning using a Personal Automation triggered at a set time.
Prefer it on your website?
The same daily KJV verse can sit on any website with one line of HTML — churches, blogs and homeschool pages use it every day. Here is the live widget:
Common questions
How do I add a Bible verse widget to my iPhone lock screen?
Long-press the unlocked lock screen, tap Customise, tap the widget row under the clock, then choose a Bible or verse-of-the-day widget from the list and tap Done.
Can I get a daily Bible verse on my lock screen without an app?
Yes. Open a daily verse page in Safari, take a screenshot, then set that screenshot as your wallpaper in Settings → Wallpaper. Repeat it whenever you want a new verse, or automate it with the Shortcuts app.
Why can't I see the widget row on my lock screen?
The widget row only exists on iOS 16 and above. Update in Settings → General → Software Update, or use a verse wallpaper instead.
Which Bible version do these verses use?
Every verse on Bible Sundays is King James Version, which is public domain, so you can screenshot, share, and reuse it freely.