To change wallpaper on iPhone, use the Settings app or the Lock Screen itself. Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, or touch and hold your Lock Screen to open the wallpaper gallery.
How to change wallpaper on iPhone: The two primary Apple-verified methods
Apple provides two official ways to change your wallpaper. The first is through the Settings app: navigate to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper. The second is directly from the Lock Screen: touch and hold the Lock Screen to open the wallpaper gallery, then swipe to browse existing wallpapers or tap Add to create a new one. You can also tap Customize below an existing wallpaper to edit it.
How to set a photo as your wallpaper
When adding a new wallpaper, you will be prompted to choose a source. Tap Photos to select a personal image, or choose Photo Shuffle to have your wallpaper cycle through a selection of photos. You can also pick from Emoji, Color, or a featured wallpaper set. After selecting your image, tap Add to proceed.
Customizing your Lock Screen and Home Screen
After adding a wallpaper, you have two options. Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair to apply the same wallpaper to both the Lock Screen and Home Screen. Alternatively, tap Customize Home Screen to edit the Home Screen separately, allowing you to use different wallpapers for each screen. When customizing the Home Screen, you can tap Blur to soften the wallpaper so your app icons stand out more clearly.
Troubleshooting common wallpaper issues
If you do not see options like Weather or Astronomy, scroll down and tap Get beneath the option to download it. If Face ID does not unlock the wallpaper gallery, touch and hold the Lock Screen again and enter your passcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different wallpapers for the Lock Screen and Home Screen?
Yes. After adding a wallpaper, tap Customize Home Screen to set a separate wallpaper for the Home Screen while keeping the Lock Screen wallpaper you chose.
Can I use my own personal photos as wallpaper?
Yes. When adding a new wallpaper, choose Photos as your source to select any image from your photo library.
Can I use Live Photos as wallpaper?
Yes. When selecting a wallpaper source, choose Live Photos to pick a Live Photo. You can then adjust the position and choose whether the animation plays on the Lock Screen.
How do I change wallpaper on Android?
The steps vary by manufacturer. On Samsung Galaxy devices, touch and hold the Home screen, tap Wallpaper and style, then Change wallpapers. Samsung's Creative option is available on One UI 6.1 devices. After choosing a Gallery picture or video and tapping Done, you are prompted to select Lock screen or Home screen; you can select both. On Google Pixel devices, go to Settings > Wallpaper and style, then tap Lock screen or Home screen. Tap My photos to use your own image. If available, choose which screen(s) use the wallpaper.
What should I do if I want to explore changing wallpapers and themes on my phone?
For iPhone, stick with the Settings or Lock Screen methods described above. For Android, check your device manufacturer's support site, as menu names differ between brands like Samsung and Google.
