This is a key difference from Android, where Google’s Clock app includes a dedicated toggle to show seconds.
Can you show seconds on iPhone natively?
No. Apple’s current documented options do not include a built-in iPhone setting to show seconds on the Lock Screen or in the system Clock app. The retrieved material from Apple’s support pages confirms no menu path or setting name exists for this feature. This contrasts with Android, where the operating system provides native support for displaying seconds in the Clock app.
How Android shows seconds in the Clock app
Google documents a straightforward path to enable seconds on Android: open the Clock app, tap More > Settings, then turn on Display time with seconds. This is an OS-level feature that iPhone lacks, and Google’s help pages do not state a model restriction, only that the setting is in the phone’s Clock app.
Use third-party apps to show seconds on iPhone
Since Apple does not provide a native seconds display, the App Store offers workarounds using widgets and Live Activities. Verified options include SeClock: Seconds Clock Widget and Exact Seconds. These apps are not system settings; they are third-party tools that add seconds to your Lock Screen or Home Screen through app-specific features. Voice-over accessibility feature can announce the time remaining, including seconds, as the timer counts down. Third-party app 'Clock - The Vaulty Clock' shows seconds and provides various themes, customizable clock faces, and the ability to set alarms with precision. Third-party app 'Chronus Clock Widget' can replace the native clock app and integrate weather information with the clock display. Third-party app 'Just a Second' focuses solely on showing seconds with a minimalist interface and customization options for font style, size, and color. Third-party app 'World Clock, Time Widget' allows adding multiple time zones to the widget along with displaying seconds. When downloading third-party apps, check their reviews, ratings, and compatibility with your iPhone model and iOS version. You can use Shortcuts to create a custom script that shows seconds on your iPhone's display temporarily.
Add a seconds widget to your Lock Screen or Home Screen
To add a seconds widget from a third-party app:
- Long-press the Lock Screen or Home Screen until the screen enters edit mode.
- Tap the add button (usually a “+” icon in the top corner).
- Select a third-party clock widget, such as SeClock or Exact Seconds, from the widget gallery.
- Choose your preferred widget size and confirm the placement.
Once added, the widget will display the current time down to the second on your chosen screen.
Keep seconds visible with Live Activities
SeClock’s Live Activity feature keeps seconds ticking on the Lock Screen for up to about 8 hours. To activate it, open the SeClock app and tap the button that starts the Live Activity. This is an app-specific feature, not a native iPhone Lock Screen option, and it provides a persistent seconds display without needing to unlock your device. For users who rely on privacy screens and screen locking methods, the Live Activity remains visible even when the phone is locked, so you can glance at the seconds without interacting with the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iPhone show seconds on the Lock Screen natively?
No. The only way to display seconds on the Lock Screen is through a third-party app’s widget or Live Activity. Enabling seconds on the lock screen may slightly impact your iPhone's battery life.
Does the iPhone Clock app have a seconds setting?
No. Android’s Clock app does offer this, but iPhone does not. Showing seconds on the clock app may have a slight impact on battery performance due to the continuous animation of the seconds.
Will showing seconds drain my iPhone battery?
Using a third-party widget or Live Activity to display seconds may have a minimal impact on battery life, but the effect is generally negligible for most users. The convenience of precise timekeeping usually outweighs any slight power use.
Can I see seconds on the iPhone Timer app?
No. The only way to see seconds in a timer context is through a third-party app that uses widgets or Live Activities.
