Taking music off the lock screen of an iPhone can be a frustrating experience for many users. Whether you accidentally turned on the feature, or you simply want to have a cleaner lock screen without the distraction of music controls, there are several methods you can try. In this blog post, we will explore four different methods to help you remove the music controls from the lock screen of your iPhone.
Why You Need to Take Music Off Lock Screen iPhone
There are several reasons why you may want to take music off the lock screen of your iPhone. Here are a few common scenarios:
- You prefer a clutter-free lock screen: Having music controls on your lock screen can make it feel cluttered and overwhelming. Removing them can give you a cleaner and more minimalistic lock screen experience.
- You want to prevent accidental music playback: If you frequently accidentally tap on the music controls while your iPhone is in your pocket or bag, removing them from the lock screen can prevent unwanted music playback.
- You use alternative music control methods: If you use alternative methods to control your music, such as AirPods or a smartwatch, having redundant controls on the lock screen may be unnecessary.
- You don’t use Apple Music: If you use a different music streaming service or prefer to play music directly from your music library, you may not need the Apple Music controls on your lock screen.
Now that we understand the reasons why you may want to remove music from the lock screen, let’s explore the different methods you can use to achieve this.
Video Tutorial:
Part 1. Disabling Lock Screen Music Controls
The first method we will discuss is disabling the lock screen music controls through the iPhone settings. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode” on older devices) or “Face ID & Passcode” (if using Face ID).
3. Enter your passcode or use Face ID to authenticate.
4. Scroll down to the “Allow Access When Locked” section.
5. Toggle off the “Today View” and “Notifications View” options. This will remove the music controls from the lock screen.
Pros:
1. Provides a simple and permanent solution to removing music controls from the lock screen.
2. Disabling the “Today View” and “Notifications View” options can also improve privacy by preventing unauthorized access to certain information when the iPhone is locked.
Cons:
1. Disabling the “Today View” and “Notifications View” options will also remove other widgets and notifications from the lock screen, not just music controls.
2. If you use widgets or want to view notifications on your lock screen, disabling these options may not be the ideal solution.
Part 2. Controlling Music Playback from the Control Center
If you still want to have music controls accessible on your iPhone, but not on the lock screen, you can use the Control Center instead. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and newer models) to open the Control Center.
3. Locate the music playback controls (usually at the top-right or bottom-right corner) and tap them to expand.
4. Use the music controls in the Control Center to play, pause, skip, or adjust the volume.
Pros:
1. Keeps the music controls easily accessible, but only when you need them.
2. Allows you to have a clean lock screen without music controls, while still being able to control music playback when desired.
Cons:
1. Requires an extra step of accessing the Control Center to control music playback.
2. May not be as convenient for quickly accessing music controls compared to having them directly on the lock screen.
Part 3. Turning Off Music App Notifications
Another method to remove music controls from the lock screen is by disabling notifications from the Music app. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap “Notifications”.
3. Locate and tap on the “Music” app.
4. Toggle off the “Allow Notifications” option.
Pros:
1. Removes music controls specifically from the lock screen without affecting other widgets or notifications.
2. Doesn’t require disabling the “Today View” or “Notifications View” options, so you can still have other widgets and notifications on the lock screen.
Cons:
1. Disabling music app notifications will also prevent you from receiving any notifications from the Music app, such as new song releases or recommendations.
2. If you still want to receive notifications from the Music app, this method may not be suitable for you.
Part 4. Restricting Music App Background Activity
The final method we’ll explore is restricting the background activity of the Music app. This can help prevent the music controls from appearing on the lock screen when the Music app is not actively being used. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap “General”.
3. Tap “Background App Refresh”.
4. Scroll down and locate the “Music” app.
5. Toggle off the “Background App Refresh” option for the Music app.
Pros:
1. Provides a way to customize which apps can refresh in the background, helping to reduce unnecessary lock screen clutter.
2. Allows you to tailor background app refresh settings for different apps based on your preferences.
Cons:
1. Restricting the background activity of the Music app may impact the performance of certain features, such as syncing playlists or downloading music in the background.
2. If you rely on automatic music app updates or background refresh, this method may not be suitable for you.
What to Do If You Can’t Take Music Off Lock Screen iPhone
If none of the above methods work for you or you encounter difficulties during the process, here are three alternative solutions you can try:
1. Restart your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches that may be causing the music controls to persist on the lock screen. Press and hold the power button (or side button on newer models) until the “Slide to power off” option appears. Slide to power off, then turn your iPhone back on after a few seconds.
2. Update your iOS: Outdated software versions can sometimes cause compatibility issues or bugs that may manifest in unexpected behavior. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version by going to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” and following the on-screen instructions to download and install any available updates.
3. Reset all settings: This will reset all your iPhone settings back to their default values, but it won’t delete any of your data or media. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset All Settings” and confirm your choice. Note that you will need to reconfigure any personalized settings, such as Wi-Fi passwords or display preferences, after performing this reset.
Bonus Tips
Here are some additional tips that can enhance your iPhone music experience:
1. Use Siri for music control: Instead of manually accessing music controls, you can use Siri to play, pause, skip, or adjust the volume of your music. Simply activate Siri by pressing and holding the side button or saying “Hey Siri,” then issue a voice command related to music playback.
2. Customize the Control Center: You can personalize the Control Center to include or exclude specific controls, including music playback controls. Go to “Settings” > “Control Center” > “Customize Controls” and adjust the layout based on your preferences.
3. Try third-party lock screen apps: If you’re looking for more flexibility and customization options for your lock screen, you can explore third-party lock screen apps available on the App Store. These apps offer different features and designs that may suit your preferences better.
The Bottom Line
Taking music off the lock screen of an iPhone can help create a less cluttered and more personalized lock screen experience. Whether you prefer to remove music controls altogether, access them through the Control Center, or fine-tune your notification settings, the methods discussed in this blog post provide various solutions to meet your needs. Remember to try the alternative solutions and bonus tips if you encounter any challenges along the way.
5 FAQs about Taking Music Off Lock Screen iPhone
Q1: Will disabling music app notifications affect other app notifications as well?
A: No, disabling music app notifications will only prevent notifications from the Music app specifically. Other app notifications will be unaffected.
Q2: Can I remove music controls from the lock screen on older iPhone models?
A: Yes, the methods discussed in this blog post can be applied to various iPhone models, including older ones that may not support Face ID or the latest iOS versions.
Q3: What if I don’t have Siri enabled on my iPhone?
A: You can enable Siri by going to “Settings” > “Siri & Search” and toggling on the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” option. Alternatively, you can activate Siri by pressing and holding the side button on your iPhone.
Q4: Will restricting music app background activity affect battery life?
A: Restricting the background activity of the Music app can help conserve battery life by preventing unnecessary refreshes. However, the impact on battery life may vary depending on other factors such as app usage patterns and overall device settings.
Q5: Are there any lock screen apps recommended for customization?
A: Some popular lock screen apps include “Widgetsmith,” “LockScreen+”, and “Glance,” which offer a range of customization options and additional features to enhance your lock screen experience.