How to Change Background Photo on iPhone

Changing your iPhone’s background photo, also known as wallpaper, is a simple way to personalize your device. Whether you want to use a stunning photo from your own collection or choose from Apple’s curated selection, this guide will walk you through the process of changing your Lock Screen and Home Screen wallpapers. We’ll also cover customizing your wallpaper with widgets, filters, and more.

Changing Your iPhone Wallpaper: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to change your wallpaper on your iPhone:

Method 1: Through the Settings App

1. Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the grey gear icon on your iPhone’s Home Screen.

2. Navigate to Wallpaper: Scroll down and tap on “Wallpaper.”

3. Choose a New Wallpaper: Tap on “Add New Wallpaper.” You’ll be presented with several options:

   • Photos: Select a photo from your personal library.
   • People: Choose a portrait photo that subtly animates with perspective shifts.
   • Photo Shuffle: Create a rotating selection of photos that change automatically.
   • Live Photo: Use a Live Photo that animates when you press on the screen.
   • Apple Collections: Explore pre-designed wallpapers categorized by themes like Weather & Astronomy, Emoji, or Color.

4. Customize Your Wallpaper (Optional): After selecting an image, you can further customize it by:

   • Adding Widgets: Choose from a variety of widgets to display information directly on your Lock Screen.
   • Applying Filters: Adjust the color and tone of your wallpaper.
   • Enabling Depth Effect: Create a layered effect that separates the subject of your photo from the time display (not available with widgets).

5. Set Your Wallpaper: Tap “Add.” Then choose one of the following:

   • Set as Wallpaper Pair: Applies the selected wallpaper to both your Lock Screen and Home Screen.
   • Customize Home Screen: Allows you to choose a different wallpaper specifically for your Home Screen.

Customize your iPhone Lock Screen with widgets, fonts and more.

Method 2: Directly from the Lock Screen

iOS also allows you to change your wallpaper directly from the Lock Screen:

1. Access Wallpaper Gallery: Touch and hold on your Lock Screen until the wallpaper gallery appears.

2. Choose or Add a Wallpaper: Swipe left or right to browse existing wallpapers. Tap the “Add” button to select a new one from your photo library or Apple’s collections. You can also:

   • Link to Focus: Associate a specific wallpaper with a Focus mode.
   • Customize Existing Wallpapers: Modify widgets, filters, and other settings.
   • Delete a Wallpaper: Swipe up on a wallpaper and tap the trash icon.

Customizing Your Lock Screen Wallpaper

iOS offers a range of customization options for your Lock Screen wallpaper:

• Widgets: Add widgets above and below the time display for quick access to information like calendar events, weather updates, and fitness progress.
• Font and Color: Customize the font and color of the time display.
• Photo Styles: Apply filters like Black & White or adjust the color tone.
• Depth Effect: Create a sense of depth by layering the subject of your photo over the time. Note: This feature is not available when using widgets.
• Lock Screen Controls: In iOS 18 and later, customize the controls available in the bottom corners of the Lock Screen for quick access to features like flashlight, camera, or Do Not Disturb.

Setting a Photo Shuffle Wallpaper

For a dynamic Lock Screen, use the Photo Shuffle feature:

1. Go to Wallpaper Settings: Follow steps 1 and 2 from Method 1 above.

2. Select Photo Shuffle: Tap “Add New Wallpaper” and choose “Photo Shuffle.”

3. Configure Shuffle Settings: Choose how often you want the photos to shuffle: On Tap, On Lock, Hourly, or Daily.

4. Select Photos: Choose the album or specific photos you want to include in the rotation.

5. Tap Done: Your Photo Shuffle wallpaper will now be active.