June 17, 2025 – Apple has introduced a new feature in iOS 26 that allows dynamic, full-screen album artwork to be displayed on the lock screen while certain Apple Music tracks are playing. Additionally, the tech giant has announced plans to extend this capability to third-party music applications.
According to Apple’s official developer documentation, the functionality relies on a specific class named MPMediaItemAnimatedArtwork. To utilize this feature, developers need both dynamic video content and a preview image that matches the video’s opening frame. The system initially uses the preview image as a placeholder while the video loads, ensuring a seamless visual transition for users.
Currently, the feature is in its Beta testing phase, and its adoption by major iOS music streaming services like Spotify remains uncertain. Industry observers are closely monitoring how third-party developers will integrate this visually engaging enhancement into their apps once it becomes widely available.
