How do I see my Pomodoro timer on my Lock Screen?

You don't have to open Focus to follow your timer. A few glanceable options keep it in view while you work.

Live Activities show your running session right on the Lock Screen, and on Apple Watch too. Lock Screen widgets can display the timer, a progress ring, or your active task above the clock — and a Lock Screen button can start a session in one tap.

In Control Center (and on the Action button), you can start, pause, extend, reset, or skip a session, or add a new task.

Live Activities turn on from the notification that appears when you start a session; widgets and controls are added by customizing your Lock Screen or Control Center.

More ways to keep the timer in view

Lock Screen widgets

Lock Screen widgets keep the timer visible without unlocking your iPhone or iPad. There are a few styles: the timer with a progress bar and your active task, a minimal progress ring, and the session type and time right above the clock — plus activity widgets for today's completed sessions and work time. You can also add a Lock Screen button that starts a session or captures a new task in one tap.

1. Touch and hold your Lock Screen until it enters editing mode.
2. Tap Customize, then choose the Lock Screen.
3. Tap Add Widgets, select Focus, and pick the widgets you like.
4. Tap Done.

Live Activities

Live Activities show your running session on the Lock Screen the moment you start one — enable them right from the notification that appears. To make them match your Lock Screen, go to Focus settings > Live Activities and choose a color and style; you can also decide whether breaks and your active task are shown.

Apple Watch

With watchOS 11 or later, the Live Activity appears on your wrist too — and it's interactive, so you can start or stop the timer with a tap. It follows the style you picked on iPhone.

Control Center

On iOS 18 or later, Focus controls let you start or pause a session, extend it by 5 minutes, reset it, skip it, or create a new task — from Control Center, the Lock Screen, or the Action button.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
2. Tap the + at the top left to edit your controls.
3. Search for Focus and add the controls you'd like.