Apple just gave the iPhone lockscreen its biggest overhaul in years - and this feature takes the cake

Apple

That photo you're viewing on your iPhone lock screen looks a bit two-dimensional. If only you could add a splash of 3D to it -- that's just what you'll be able to do with the release of Apple's iOS 26.

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The upcoming version of iOS will include a 3D spatial feature. This means you'll be able to view any photo in 3D, not just those shot with a spatial effect.

The new feature is borrowed from Apple's Vision Pro, but it lets you view your photos spatially on your iPhone. The cool part is that the photo's foreground and background elements are separated, just like in a regular 3D image.

Works on the lock screen and in Photos

The 3D effect works on both the Lock screen and in the Photos app. On the Lock screen, wallpaper images turn 3D as you move your iPhone. The time displayed on the wallpaper also adapts fluidly, allowing you to fully experience your photo. In the Photos app, open any photo and move your iPhone to activate the spatial effect and view the image in 3D.

"With advanced computer vision techniques running on the Neural Engine, we generate a special scene from your 2D photos, creating a delightful 3D effect, bringing your favorite memories to life as you move your iPhone in your hand," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, on Day 1 of the company's WWDC event. "And the stunning 3D effect that you saw in the Lock screen is available in Photos, so you can experience any of your photos as an incredible spatial scene."

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The new feature promises to add a cool effect to your photos without any special effort -- all you have to do is update to iOS 26 when it's ready.

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