Locket Alternatives for Couples Apart
Locket alternatives for couples: what Locket does well, why some partners want more, and apps for drawings, notes, moods or distance on the home screen.
Locket started as a long distance gift. Its founder, Matt Moss, told TechCrunch that he built it as a birthday present for his girlfriend because they were about to start a long distance relationship. So it is no surprise that many couples still use it. It is also no surprise that some go looking for Locket alternatives for couples once they realize the app has grown into something built for friend groups.
This guide covers what Locket does well, why some partners want something different, and which apps fill the gaps. Details come from App Store listings and press coverage checked in October 2026.
What Locket Does Well
Locket's App Store listing describes it simply: "a widget that shows live photos from your best friends, right to your Home Screen." Its subtitle is "Best friends first", and you can have up to 20 friends.
For couples, the most useful detail is the single-person widget. The listing explains that you can add a "Crush" or "Best Friend" widget and see photos only from that person. Put that on your Home Screen and your partner's latest photo is always there.
It is also very popular. In 2025 the company told TechCrunch it had over 80 million downloads and more than 9 million daily active users. Locket is free, with optional Locket Gold purchases.
Why Couples Look for a Locket Alternative
None of this means Locket is bad for couples. It means it was not designed only for them, and some needs fall outside it.
Photos only. Some days you have nothing worth photographing. A doodle, a short note or a mood can say more than another picture of your desk.
Photo pressure. A widget that waits for pictures can quietly become an obligation, especially across time zones when one of you is asleep.
Friend-group noise. When friends post too, your partner's photos share space with everyone else's unless you set up the single-person widget.
Nothing about distance. Locket does not show how far apart you are, your partner's local time or a countdown to the next visit, which many long distance couples want on screen.
Locket Alternatives for Couples at a Glance
| App | What appears on the widget | Photos | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bondly | Drawings, photos, notes | Premium | Couples who like doodling |
| Widgetable | Snaps, doodles, pets, moods, distance | Yes | Playful extras |
| iFeely | Moods, doodles, both clocks, next visit | Disappearing photos | Feelings and small moments |
| Presence apps | Distance, time, notes, drawings | Varies | Long distance couples |
| Locket plus a second app | Photos and presence | Yes | Keeping what works |
Feature details are from each app's App Store listing in October 2026.
Bondly: Drawings and Notes on Their Screen
Bondly's listing says that when you send a note, "it magically appears on your partner's home screen." You can sketch, send a photo of what you are doing, or leave a short message. Text notes and moods are free; photos, drawings and full history need Bondly Premium.
It also has a daily streak to "keep your fire burning". Some couples find that motivating. If streaks have made other apps feel like a chore, think twice.
Widgetable: The Playful Option
Widgetable's "Pin It!" feature lets you send snaps, emojis, doodles and texts to someone's screen. Around it sits a lot more: co-parented virtual pets, a sleep widget, mood widgets, a "Miss You" widget and a Distance Widget for the lock screen. It is aimed at "besties and loved ones", so it can feel busy, but few apps offer this much variety.
iFeely: Moods, Doodles and Disappearing Photos
iFeely is built around sending a mood with one tap, which your partner sees in the app, on widgets and in the Dynamic Island. According to its listing, it also has "Sparks", photos your partner scratches to reveal that disappear after viewing, a side-by-side "photo of the day", and doodles that appear live on your partner's Home Screen widget. The app shows the distance between you too, and one Premium subscription covers both partners.
Presence Apps: For When You Live Apart
If the photos were always a way of saying "I am here, thinking of you", a presence app may say it more directly.
Distalove is our own app, so weigh this accordingly. It does not share photos. Instead it puts the distance between you, your partner's local time and weather, days together and a visit countdown on your home and lock screens, alongside notes and finger-drawn doodles.
You can draw together on a shared canvas and save finished drawings to a widget. It shows how far apart you are, never a map.
For a wider comparison by widget type, see the best couple widget apps for iPhone.
The Easiest Option: Keep Locket, Add One Thing
Plenty of couples do not need to switch at all. Locket's single-person widget handles photos well. Pair it with one app that covers what Locket does not, such as distance, local time or a countdown, and you have both.
Two rules keep this from becoming clutter:
- One widget per job. One photo widget and one presence widget is plenty.
- No obligations. Agree that nobody owes a photo a day. The pattern behind that advice is covered in long distance communication without burnout.
How to Choose
If you miss their face, stay with Locket or try Bondly.
If you miss small, silly moments, try Bondly or Widgetable for doodles.
If you want to know how they are feeling, a mood-first app like iFeely fits.
If what you miss is a sense of where they are in the world, a presence app with distance and local time is the better match. Why that works is explained in couple widgets: your partner on screen, and keeping their clock in view also helps with time zones in an LDR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Locket good for couples?
Yes, many couples use it, and it began as a gift for the founder's long distance girlfriend. Its "Crush" or "Best Friend" widget shows photos from just one person, which works well for partners.
What is the best Locket alternative for couples?
It depends on what you want on screen. Bondly suits drawings and notes, Widgetable suits playful extras, iFeely suits moods and playful photos, and presence apps suit long distance couples who want distance and local time.
Can I use Locket with only my partner?
Yes. You can keep your friend list to one person, or add the single-person widget so only your partner's photos appear on that widget.
Is there a couple app like Locket with drawings?
Yes. Bondly and Widgetable both let you send doodles to your partner's home screen, and several presence apps include finger-drawn notes.
Should we replace Locket or use two apps?
If Locket works for photos, keep it and add one app for what it lacks. Switching only makes sense if you want everything in one place.
Final Thoughts
Locket proved that a tiny photo on a home screen can make someone feel close, and it began with a couple living apart. The best Locket alternatives for couples do not try to beat it at photos. They add what photos cannot: a doodle, a mood, the time where your partner is, or how far apart you are tonight.
Pick the one thing you miss most, and let the widget carry that.