iPhone users can now check lunar dates from the lock screen instead of opening the Calendar app each time. The setup is built into iOS 26, while iOS 18, iOS 17, and iOS 16 require a compatible third-party calendar app.
The distinction matters because the lock-screen display is configured differently on each software generation. Users on iOS 26 can enable Lunar Calendar as an alternative calendar, then select a matching Calendar widget.
| iOS version | Primary method | Lock-screen result |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 26 | Enable Lunar Calendar in Alternative Calendars | The Calendar widget can show lunar information |
| iOS 18, iOS 17, iOS 16 | Use a lunar calendar app from the App Store | Add the app’s widget to the lock screen |
How the Built-In iOS 26 Option Works
On iOS 26, users begin in the iPhone Settings app. They need to open Apps, select Calendar, and locate the alternative calendar setting.
From there, select Alternative Calendars and choose Lunar Calendar. This places lunar dates alongside the iPhone’s standard solar calendar.
The next step is to return to the lock screen and press and hold it to enter customization mode. Select the customization option for the lock-screen layout that will be used.
Tap the Calendar widget area at the top of the screen and choose the option that displays lunar information. Press Done after making the selection so the change is saved.
Older iOS Versions Need an App Widget
iPhones running iOS 18, iOS 17, or iOS 16 can still display lunar dates, but they do not use the built-in alternative-calendar route. Instead, users need a compatible Lock Screen Widget supplied by an app downloaded from the App Store.
One app mentioned for this purpose is Kalender Abadi 2024 & Kalender Vietnam. It must be downloaded, opened, and activated before its widget becomes available in lock-screen customization.
Users can then press and hold the lock screen and select Customize at the bottom of the display. Tapping the widget box opens the available widget choices, including the installed lunar calendar app.
After selecting the app’s widget, it can be placed in the available area of the customized lock screen. Tap Save to complete the arrangement.
The Key Difference
The iOS 26 method centers on enabling Lunar Calendar within the native Calendar settings. It does not require users to download an additional app before choosing the relevant widget display.
For earlier versions, the third-party route remains a practical way to track lunar dates quickly from the lock screen. Vietnam.vn noted that supported app widgets allow the information to remain visible without opening a calendar app every day.
