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Using Motion Artwork on the Lock Screen

Configure compatible album Motion Artwork for Now Playing on the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Lock Screen.

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On supported devices, Codafy can send an album’s Motion Artwork to Now Playing. The Lock Screen normally shows a static preview and animates the artwork when you interact with or expand it.

Enable Lock Screen motion

  1. Open the album in Codafy.
  2. Select Edit > Change Cover.
  3. Paste a direct .mp4 URL.
  4. Turn on Use Custom Artwork.
  5. Turn on Motion on Lock Screen.
  6. Keep Cache Artwork & Motion enabled for faster reuse, if storage allows.
  7. Select Save, play a song from that album, and open the Lock Screen.

The complete Change Cover screen and its options are shown in Changing Album and Playlist Artwork.

What you should see

The Lock Screen uses the video’s first frame as its static preview. The system controls when the animation plays; it may begin after you tap or expand the Now Playing artwork rather than animating continuously.

Expand the Now Playing artwork to view the system-controlled Motion Artwork experience.

Important limitations

  • On iPhone, the video must be close to 3:4 portrait (Tall).
  • On iPad, the video must be close to 1:1 square.
  • The device decides whether animated artwork is supported and when it plays.
  • The media must be downloaded to a local temporary or cached file before iOS can use it. The first appearance may take longer on a slow connection.
  • Turning off Motion on Lock Screen restores reliable static artwork without removing the saved video URL.
  • Playlist Motion Artwork plays only inside the playlist view and is not sent to the Lock Screen.

If Motion Artwork does not appear

Check the following:

  1. The device is running iOS 26 or later or iPadOS 26 or later. On iOS 26.5.x, use 3:4 portrait (Tall) because square Motion Artwork may not display correctly.
  2. Codafy+ is active and both Motion Artwork features are available.
  3. The URL opens a real .mp4 file without authentication.
  4. The video is 3:4 portrait (Tall) on iPhone or 1:1 square on iPad.
  5. Use Custom Artwork and Motion on Lock Screen are both enabled.
  6. A song from the customized album is currently playing.
  7. The artwork has had enough time to download on the current connection.

If the video works inside Codafy but not on the Lock Screen, its aspect ratio or device support is the most likely cause. The static preview remains available as the fallback.

Review the recommended Motion Artwork specifications →