Many iPhone users have no idea that the music player on the lock screen doesn't have to remain just a small, inconspicuous panel under the clock. Apple has long offered a fancy mode in which the player expands across a large portion of the display and the album cover becomes the dominant element. The result is a much nicer and more modern look that will be appreciated especially by those who listen to music frequently.
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Activation is very simple and there is no need to search for anything in Settings. Just start music in the Music app, Spotify or another supported service, then lock iPhone and turn the display back on by tapping or pressing the side button. A panel with the currently playing song appears on the lock screen. If you tap the small album art thumbnail, the player instantly expands to full-screen mode, filling most of the screen with the album art.
From my own experience, I have to say that this is a small thing, but it makes using the phone more enjoyable. When I have iPhone placed next to the keyboard or on the table while working, a large player looks significantly better than a classic compact widgetIt works especially well for albums with bold graphics, as the system will also adjust the colored background and the entire interface then looks very clean.
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If you don't like the larger view, it's as easy to switch back to a smaller view. Just tap the enlarged album art again and the player will instantly return to its smaller size. This is useful if you want to see more notifications on your lock screen, or if you prefer to miniMalistic appearance.
If you don't see the feature, the reason is usually simple. The music must actually be playing, the song should have album art associated with it, and some lesser-known apps may not support the mode as reliably as Apple Music or Spotify. But in most cases everything works without any settings.
So if you want a slightly more attractive lock screen on your iPhone, just play some music and tap the album art. It's a subtle feature that Apple hidden in everyday use, but it is details like these that often determine why using the iPhone is so enjoyable.
