How to add a Left widget on your iPhone Lock Screen

Lock Screen widgets let you see your Left countdowns every time you wake your iPhone - without unlocking it. Left needs iOS 26 or later.

Step 1 - Create your event in Left

Start by setting up the event you want to track:

1. Open the Left app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Ahead and tap + to add a date. For a habit, streak or Aim, use Since instead.
3. Give it a name and set the date.
4. Tap the checkmark to save.

Step 2 - Enter Lock Screen editing mode

1. Wake your iPhone and go to the Lock Screen (don't unlock).
2. Long-press on the Lock Screen until the Customise button appears at the bottom.
3. Tap Customise, then tap your Lock Screen (the left option, not the Home Screen).

Step 3 - Add the Left widget

1. Tap Add Widgets, or the widgets already below the clock, to fill the widget row. To put a one-line widget next to the date above the clock, tap the date instead.
2. The widget picker opens. Scroll down the list of apps and tap Left.
3. Tap or drag a Left widget to add it. The row below the clock holds up to four circular widgets, and a rectangular widget takes the space of two.
4. If the row is full, tap the minus button on a widget to remove it and make room for Left.
5. Tap Done in the top-right, then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair if prompted.

Step 4 - Choose which event to show

1. After adding the widget, long-press the Lock Screen again and tap Customise.
2. Tap the Left widget on the Lock Screen.
3. For an Ahead widget, tap Select date and choose the date you want to show.
4. Tap Done.

Lock Screen widget positions

• Above the clock (date line) - one single-line widget next to the date, such as Year, Month, Week or Day.
• Below the clock - up to four circular widgets, two rectangular ones, or one rectangular and two circular. Ahead comes in both shapes; Habit, Streak and Aim come as rectangular widgets.

Requirements

Left needs iOS 26 or later, so Lock Screen widgets work on any iPhone that can run Left. To check for an update, go to Settings → General → Software Update.

See also: the countdown widget for iPhone and the days since widget.