iPhone’s lock screen iOS 26 will display animated artwork from third-party music app: Report

Apple As the next recurrence of the iPhone operating system (OS), WWDC previewed the iOS 26 in 2025 and displayed many notable capabilities. A feature that the company did not actively advertise, but is making its way for the iPhone, supports for animated artwork on the lock screen. Currently, only the albums playing through Apple Music can display artwork on the lock screen of the iphone, but with anticipated iOS 26 Updates, third-party music streaming apps can also benefit from it.

Animated artwork on iPhone lock screen

According to a 9to5MAC reportApple’s iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 update introduces a new API MpmediaitemanimatedartworkThis is to display an animated image, such as an animated music album or cover art for the media file. Apple says that this animated artwork includes two property – a preview image that matches the artwork video asset and the first frame of artwork.

Mpmediaitemanimatedartwork API currently gives an app to an app with an app with an app that provides a system with an animated video clip that can be displayed on the lock screen. In addition, preview image will be used as a placeholder while the video file is obtained and available.

According to the company, along with the preview file -animated artwork video will be required only at the point of performance and can be obtained individually. The purpose of this API is to provide preview images as soon as possible after the music streaming app is requested by the music streaming app in the sink with the video file.

While official details about apps supporting this feature are wrapped, reports that SpotifyOne of the biggest options Apple MusicCan take advantage of this. Apple has made it available in Developer SDK after the release of iOS 16 developer Beta 1 update. This means that third-party app developers can integrate support for APIs in their apps.

In addition to music streaming apps, the report states that audibook and podcast will also be able to provide video artwork on the lock screen of the iPhone, which take advantage of the new API, if available.