Customize Jailbroken iOS Lockscreen

The Appeal and Customization Limits of iOS

A key factor in the popularity of iOS is its streamlined and uncluttered aesthetic. Apple has dedicated significant resources to crafting a user interface that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate.

The influence of this design is evident, as it has served as a model for other mobile operating systems seeking a comparable appearance.

Personalization and the iOS Lockscreen

Despite its strengths, iOS presents certain limitations when it comes to personalization. While users generally desire to impart their individual style to their devices, the operating system restricts customization options in some areas.

A prime example of this is the iOS lockscreen, where official personalization is largely limited to changing the background image.

Unlocking Customization Through Jailbreaking

However, a workaround exists for those seeking greater control over their lockscreen's appearance. For users with a jailbroken iOS device, a wealth of customization possibilities become available.

This opens up numerous avenues for tailoring the lockscreen to individual preferences. This article details one such method.

Through jailbreaking, users can bypass these restrictions and truly personalize their iOS experience.

Personalizing Your iOS Device

A significant number of users choose to jailbreak their iOS devices, and a primary motivation is often the desire for extensive visual customization. This can be achieved through the activation of Winterboard and the application of various themes. With a vast selection of themes available on Cydia, making a choice can be challenging.

My exploration began utilizing a standard search engine to identify appealing options. One theme that consistently appeared in search results was LockMS. This theme is readily accessible for installation via Cydia.

To locate it, simply navigate to the search tab within Cydia and enter the theme’s name. Select LockMS from the displayed results, then tap the "Install" button located in the upper right corner of the screen.

The screenshot was captured following the installation of LockMS; consequently, the "Install" button has been replaced with a "Modify" option.

As previously noted, Winterboard is a prerequisite for running themes. While it can be downloaded and installed separately, it is typically installed automatically alongside your first theme download. However, the theme itself isn’t always sufficient for complete customization.

Additional applications from Cydia are needed to refine your lockscreen’s appearance. One such application is "CleanStatus". This tool allows users to selectively display or hide specific screen information.

Another useful application is "Lockscreen Clock Hide". Its function is straightforward: it conceals the default, large clock on the lockscreen, preventing it from obscuring the clock integrated within LockMS.

Finally, consider MiniSlider. This application reduces the size of the lock slider, ensuring it doesn't overlap with the elements of LockMS.

For those who prefer a completely uncluttered look, themes like "Hide Slide to Unlock" or "No Slider" can be used in conjunction with LockMS to eliminate the lock slider entirely. I personally opt to retain the unlock slide for ease of access.

Initiating Lock Screen Customization

Having prepared all necessary components, the customization procedure can now be initiated. Navigate to “Settings” and scroll downwards until you reach Winterboard.

Subsequently, select “Select Themes” to access the available theme directory.

All installed themes are listed here. Simply tap on the desired themes to activate them. LockMS is offered in multiple variations. These include a standard edition, a 24-hour format, a version featuring the “Tap To Unlock (TTU)” functionality, and one with an invisible TTU. To implement our customizations, choose either a LockMS theme alongside MiniSlider.

Once the theme is selected, return to the main WinterBoard screen and tap “Respring” to apply the changes.

Following this, access the CleanStatus settings from Settings and disable any unwanted icons by toggling their status to “On”.

Remember to enable Clock Hide to finalize the customization process.

The result of our customization is now visible. Further theme adjustments, such as incorporating a background image, can be made by navigating to “Root - Library - Themes” on your iOS device using an application like iPhoneExplorer. However, a comprehensive guide to this process would necessitate a separate article, moving beyond the scope of a simple tutorial.

Although the described process is straightforward, it is hoped that it serves as a sufficient introduction to the possibilities of iOS customization. Be sure to explore our other articles concerning jailbreaking and iOS devices, including Jailbreaking & iOS: The Pros And Cons Of Voiding Your Warranty, JailbreakMe 2.0: Easiest Way to Jailbreak Your iPhone, and How To Get Your Own iPhone Wallpapers and Themes.

Do you perform a jailbreak on your iOS device? Do you utilize themes? What theme is your preferred choice? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.

Image credit: toastr blog