You can add a Bible verse widget to your lock screen on both iPhone and Android, though the steps differ by device and which Bible app you choose
A Bible verse widget on your lock screen shows a daily verse, passage, or reading plan without you having to unlock your phone. On iPhones running iOS 16 or later, you build lock screen widgets directly into the lock screen itself. On Android phones, the process depends on your phone's manufacturer and which Bible app you use — some apps have built-in widgets, while others require you to use your phone's default widget system.
The trade-off is small: a lock screen widget uses a tiny amount of battery and data, and it shows your religious practice to anyone who sees your phone. If that visibility matters to your privacy or safety, you may want to keep it on a home screen instead, where only people who unlock your phone will see it.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users on iOS 16 or later can add Bible verse widgets directly to the lock screen by long-pressing the lock screen, tapping "Customize," and selecting a Bible app from the widget menu.
- Android users should open their Bible app, look for a widget option in the app's menu or settings, then long-press their home screen and select "Widgets" to add it.
- Popular Bible apps with lock screen or home screen widgets include YouVersion, Bible.com, and the official app from your church or denomination.
- Lock screen widgets are visible to anyone who sees your phone, so consider whether you want your Bible reading visible to people around you.
How to add a Bible verse widget on iPhone
On iPhone, go to your lock screen and long-press it until you see "Customize" at the bottom. Tap "Customize." You will see your current lock screen design at the top and a "+" button at the bottom. Tap the "+" button to add a widget.
Scroll through the list of apps until you find your Bible app — YouVersion, Bible.com, and the official Bible app are common choices. Tap the app name. You will see widget options; select the one that shows a verse or daily reading. Tap "Add Widget." The verse widget will now appear on your lock screen below the time.
If you do not see your Bible app in the widget list, the app may not support lock screen widgets yet. In that case, you can add a widget to your home screen instead: go to your home screen, long-press an empty area, tap the "+" button, find your Bible app, and choose a widget size.
How to add a Bible verse widget on Android
The steps vary by phone manufacturer, but the general process is the same. First, open your Bible app and look for a "Widgets" or "Home Screen" option in the app's menu or settings. Some apps like YouVersion have this built in; others do not.
If your Bible app does not have a built-in widget option, you can add a widget through your phone's home screen. Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Widgets" (or "Add Widget," depending on your phone). Scroll to find your Bible app. Tap and hold the widget, then drag it to your home screen. Release it to place it.
If you have a Samsung phone, you can also long-press your lock screen itself and tap "Widgets" to see if any of your installed Bible apps offer lock screen widgets. Samsung's lock screen widget support is newer than iPhone's, so not all apps have added it yet.
Which Bible apps have the best widgets
YouVersion (the Bible app by Life.Church) has both home screen and lock screen widgets on iPhone and Android. It shows a daily verse, and you can customize which Bible translation appears. The app is free.
Bible.com (by the American Bible Society) also offers widgets on both platforms. It includes audio Bible readings and multiple translations. The free version has ads; a paid version removes them.
Official denominational apps — such as the app from your church, the Catholic Bible app, or the LDS Scripture app — often include widgets tailored to their community's reading plans. Check your church's website or app store to see what they offer.
If you use a Bible app that does not have a widget, you can still see verses by opening the app itself, but you will have to unlock your phone first. Some people prefer this for privacy reasons.
Privacy and visibility considerations
A Bible verse widget on your lock screen is visible to anyone who looks at your phone — your family, coworkers, people sitting next to you on transit, or someone who picks up your phone. If you live in a place where your religious practice could put you at risk, or if you prefer to keep your beliefs private, a lock screen widget may not be the right choice for you.
A home screen widget is safer in this respect: only people who unlock your phone will see it. If privacy is a concern, add the widget to a home screen instead, or use a Bible app without a widget and open it only when you are alone.
The widget itself does not collect more data than the Bible app already does. YouVersion and Bible.com track which verses you read and which translations you prefer, which they use to personalize your experience and show you targeted ads. This happens whether or not you use a widget. If you want to limit what the app knows about you, check the app's privacy settings or choose a Bible app with fewer tracking features.
Troubleshooting: widget does not appear or update
If you added a widget but it is not showing a verse, the app may not have permission to run in the background. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Bible App] > Background App Refresh and turn it on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [Your Bible App] > Permissions and make sure the app has permission to access your device's storage and internet.
If the widget shows the same verse every day and does not update, restart your phone. If it still does not update, delete the widget and add it again. Sometimes a widget needs to be refreshed to sync with the app's latest data.
If your Bible app does not appear in the widget list at all, the app may not support widgets on your device. Check the app's settings or help section, or try a different Bible app that does offer widgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Bible verse widget if my phone is locked?
Yes. Lock screen widgets are designed to show information without unlocking your phone. You will see the verse on your lock screen whenever you pick up your phone, but you cannot interact with it or read the full passage without unlocking and opening the app.
Does a Bible verse widget drain my battery?
Not noticeably. Widgets use very little power, especially if they update only once a day. If you are concerned about battery life, you can remove the widget or turn off background app refresh for the Bible app.
Can I choose which Bible translation the widget shows?
It depends on the app. YouVersion lets you pick a translation in the app's settings, and the widget will show that translation. Bible.com also allows this. Check your app's settings to see if translation choice is available.
What if I want to hide the widget from my lock screen but keep the app?
On iPhone, long-press your lock screen, tap "Customize," and swipe left on the widget to remove it. On Android, long-press the widget and drag it to "Remove" or tap the trash icon. The Bible app will stay on your phone; you just will not see the widget.
Can I add more than one Bible verse widget?
On iPhone, you can add multiple widgets to your lock screen if you have space. On Android, you can add multiple widgets to your home screen. Each widget can show a different Bible app or a different type of reading plan from the same app.