Since the release of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 in 2022, customizing your Home and Lock screen backgrounds has become more flexible.
Here’s a guide to setting a new background on your iPhone or iPad, whether you choose from Apple’s built-in options or use your photos.
What types of wallpapers can you use on iPhone and iPad?
You’ll find various free wallpaper options from Apple when selecting a background for your iPhone or iPad.
Some choices include Weather, Astronomy, Color (perfect for those who prefer simpler designs), and Emoji wallpapers.
While Apple has removed most of its live wallpapers, some still feature animations, such as Weather, Astronomy, and the bubble wallpaper found in the Collections section.
You can also create unique wallpapers by combining two photos side by side.
How do you set an Apple wallpaper on your iPhone or iPad?
Follow these steps to select and apply one of Apple’s built-in wallpapers:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Wallpaper.
- Select Add New Wallpaper.
- Browse through the available wallpaper options, which include Suggested Photos, Photo Shuffle, Weather, Astronomy, Color, Collections, Unity, and Emoji.
- Once you’ve found the background you like, tap Add.
- Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair if you want to use the wallpaper for both your Lock Screen and Home Screen. If you want different backgrounds for each, select Customize Home Screen.
In the Customize Home Screen option, you can adjust the color, gradient, or blur effect.
Alternatively, tap Photo to choose an image from your Photos Library as the Home Screen background. When you’re satisfied with your customization, tap Done to save your changes.
How can you use your own photo as a background?
If you prefer using one of your saved or downloaded photos as your wallpaper, here’s how to do it:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Choose the photo you want to use and tap the Share icon.
- Scroll down and select Use as Wallpaper.
- Swipe across the screen to explore filter options like Natural, Black & White, Duotone, or Color Wash, then tap Done.
- Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair to apply the photo to both Lock Screen and Home Screen, or tap Customize Home Screen to adjust your Home Screen separately.
In Customize Home Screen, you can tweak the blur effect, color, or gradient of your chosen photo.
Tap Photo to select a different image if needed. After finalizing your choices, tap Done.
Can you personalize the Home Screen and Lock Screen separately?
Yes, after choosing your Lock Screen wallpaper, select Customize Home Screen to set a different image or adjust the appearance for your Home Screen.
Pro Tip: How do you find unique wallpapers online?
If you’re looking for a specific style, such as a scenic view or a themed background, you can search for images on Google.
Download or screenshot your favorite one and use it as your new wallpaper for a more personalized look.
FAQ
How do you set different wallpapers on your iPhone?
You can set Focus to switch between wallpapers throughout the day or by location. Alternatively, you can manually change them by pressing and holding the unlocked Lock Screen and swiping through the wallpapers you’ve saved.
Can the Lock Screen and Home Screen have different wallpapers?
Yes, after setting your Lock Screen background, tap Customize Home Screen and choose a separate image for your Home Screen.
Can you set up multiple Home Screens on iPhone?
Yes, you can configure different Home Screens using Focus settings.