How to remove Now Playing from the iPhone Lock Screen in iOS 27

iOS 27 lets you clear the Now Playing controls from the iPhone Lock Screen when you no longer want music, podcast or other media controls covering part of your wallpaper.

Previously, the large Now Playing panel could remain visible while media was paused, with no direct way to dismiss it from the Lock Screen. iOS 27 adds a simple gesture for clearing the panel.

Removing the controls also clears the corresponding Now Playing display from the Dynamic Island, giving you a cleaner Lock Screen without having to close the app that was playing media.

How to dismiss Now Playing from the Lock Screen in iOS 27

1. Wake your iPhone so the Lock Screen is visible.
2. Find the Now Playing media controls.
3. Swipe left across the Now Playing panel.
4. Tap Clear when the option appears.
5. The large playback panel will disappear from the Lock Screen.

The controls can appear again when media playback resumes or when an app starts a new playback session, so clearing the panel does not disable Lock Screen media controls permanently.