A Smarter iPhone Lock Screen: How I Automated a Dynamic Calendar Wallpaper

As a UX Lead Designer, I aim to provide simple solutions to everyday problems. Recently, while working with a colleague Siddheshwar ‎ , I noticed his iPhone lock screen had a beautiful calendar for the current month. Curious, I asked how he added a calendar widget to the lock screen. His response surprised me—it wasn’t a widget at all but simply an image set as wallpaper!

He explained that quickly checking dates was essential for him, but using the Calendar app required extra steps. His simple workaround? He designed 12 visually appealing wallpapers in Figma, each featuring a monthly calendar, and manually updated his lock screen on the first day of every month. While this solved his problem to an extent, I had one question: How does he find the current date? His response: "The exact day isn't as important as seeing the upcoming days at a glance."

Identifying the Problem

As an iOS user, I could relate to the issue. Checking the date requires opening the Calendar app or swiping to the home screen to view a widget—both unnecessary steps for such a basic need. While iOS offers calendar widgets, my colleague disliked their bulky and unappealing design. Additionally, having to navigate to the widget’s screen each time added friction to the experience.

I appreciated his approach, but I wanted to improve it. Could there be a way to automate this process and enhance its functionality?

The Solution: A Dynamic Calendar Lock Screen

Inspired by my colleague’s idea, I decided to create an automated version of his solution—one that updates dynamically every day without manual intervention.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Expanded the Design: Using his Figma file, I created 365 wallpapers—each with a calendar featuring the current day highlighted.

2. Automated the Updates: I uploaded all the images to a server and named them using the date format YYYY-MM-dd.

3. Created a Shortcut in iOS: I built an automation in the Shortcuts app that fetches the correct image daily and updates the lock screen automatically at midnight.

Thinking Bigger: More Personalization

This solution got me thinking—why stop at a calendar? This approach could be extended to display:

• Important days & reminders

• Daily motivational quotes

• Inspirational images or fun facts

By simply changing the images on the server, users could customize their experience and make their lock screens more functional and engaging.

How to Set It Up on Your iPhone

You can create this automation on your iPhone using the Shortcuts app:

Steps to Create the Shortcut:

1. Open the Shortcuts App

   • Ensure your iOS is up to date.

2. Create a Personal Automation

   • Go to the "Automation" tab.

   • Tap Create Personal Automation.

   • Select Time of Day → Set it to 12:00 AM.

   • Tap Next.

3. Add Actions

   • (a) Get the Image from the Server

     • Tap Add Action → Search for Get Contents of URL.

     • In the URL field, enter your image format: https://describes.studio/images/YYYY-MM-dd.jpg.

     • Tap the magic wand button → Select Current Date.

     • Set the date format to YYYY-MM-dd.

   • (b) Set the Image as Wallpaper Without Saving

     • Add Set Wallpaper action.

     • In the input field, tap Shortcut Input (the downloaded image).

     • Choose Lock Screen (or both Lock & Home Screens).

4. Turn Off "Ask Before Running"

   • Tap Next → Turn off Ask Before Running.

   • Tap Done.

That’s it! Now, your iPhone will fetch the latest wallpaper automatically and update your lock screen every day. 🎉

Final Thoughts

This small tweak made a significant impact on how I interact with my phone daily. A simple, automated solution eliminated the extra steps needed to check the calendar while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing lock screen.

What are your thoughts on this approach? Would you use this for something beyond a calendar—perhaps daily affirmations, reminders, or weather updates? Let me know your feedback and ideas in the comments!