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How do I set wallpaper on my Iphone?

Quick Answer

Setting a new wallpaper on your iPhone is easy and can be done in just a few steps. Here is a quick overview of how to change your iPhone wallpaper:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap “Wallpaper” to open the Wallpaper settings.
  3. Tap “Choose a New Wallpaper.”
  4. Select if you want a Dynamic, Stills, or Live wallpaper.
  5. Browse the available wallpaper options and tap on one to preview it.
  6. Tap “Set” to set the selected image as your new iPhone wallpaper.

It only takes a few taps to change the wallpaper on your iPhone. You can choose from Dynamic, Still, or Live images from Apple’s default options or use your own photos. Read on for more detailed steps and customization options for setting iPhone wallpaper.

Steps to Change iPhone Wallpaper

Follow these step-by-step instructions to change the wallpaper image on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings App – The first step is to open the Settings app on your iPhone. You can find the Settings app on your home screen or by swiping down and searching for it.
  2. Tap Wallpaper – In the Settings app, scroll down and tap “Wallpaper” to open the Wallpaper settings.
  3. Tap Choose New Wallpaper – On the Wallpaper settings page, you’ll see a preview of your current home screen and lock screen wallpapers. Tap “Choose a New Wallpaper” to pick out a new background image.
  4. Select Wallpaper Category – You now have the option to choose a new wallpaper from Dynamic, Stills, or Live categories. Tap the category you want to browse.
    1. Dynamic – Colorful abstract backgrounds that automatically shift and change.
    2. Stills – A variety of beautiful high-quality images.
    3. Live – Animated wallpapers with motion and visual effects.
  5. Browse and Select Image – Now simply browse the wallpaper images in your selected category and tap on one you like to see a preview. When you find one you want to use, tap “Set.”
  6. Set for Lock Screen, Home Screen, or Both – On the Set Wallpaper page you can choose to have the image set as your wallpaper for just your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both. Select your preference.
  7. Done! – Your new wallpaper will be immediately applied. Go back to your home screen or lock screen to see it.

Changing the wallpaper on your iPhone with a new image only takes about a minute. Apple provides dynamic, high-quality images to choose from. You can also use your own photos as iPhone wallpaper by selecting the “Photos” category instead of Dynamic, Stills or Live.

Customizing iPhone Wallpaper

In addition to choosing a new wallpaper image, there are a few customization options to make your iPhone wallpaper truly unique:

  • Different Images for Lock/Home Screen – You can set separate wallpaper images for your lock screen and home screen. Follow the steps to choose one image for your lock screen and a different one for your home screen.
  • Perspective Zoom – When selecting a new photo, you have the option to turn on Perspective Zoom. This will add a depth effect to your home screen as you tilt and move your phone.
  • Dark Appearance – If your iPhone has iOS 13 or later, you can enable the Dark Appearance setting. This will dynamically shift your wallpaper to darker colors at night.
  • Live Photos – Use a Live Photo from your camera roll to make your iPhone wallpaper move and come to life.
  • Hide Apps – On the home screen, you can hide apps so your wallpaper shows through more prominently behind widgets and shortcuts.

Take advantage of these custom options to get your iPhone wallpaper looking just the way you want it. Mix and match wallpapers on your home screen and lock screen, add depth with Perspective Zoom, and make use of Dark Appearance or Live Photos.

Using Your Own Photos

For a personal touch, you can use your own photos as the wallpaper on your iPhone. Here is how:

  1. Open the Photos app and browse to the photo you want to use. Tap on it.
  2. Tap on the Share button in the bottom left corner.
  3. Scroll down and tap “Use as Wallpaper.”
  4. You can now move and scale the image how you like and tap “Set.”
  5. Finally, select if you want it as your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both.

Once you get the hang of it, setting any photo as your wallpaper only takes about 10 seconds. For best results, make sure you choose a high-quality photo with a resolution appropriate for your iPhone model. You can also edit or apply filters to iPhone photos directly in the Photos app before using as wallpaper.

Wallpaper Settings

There are a couple settings related to wallpaper to be aware of in Settings > Wallpaper:

  • Perspective Zoom – As mentioned above, this adds a 3D effect to your home screen wallpaper as you tilt and move your phone. It works best with landscape images.
  • Dark Appearance – Automatically shifts your wallpaper colors to darker tones when Dark Mode is enabled at night.
  • Live Wallpaper – If you set a Live Photo as wallpaper, toggle this on to enable the motion effect.

These settings allow you customize your wallpaper even further. Try enabling Perspective Zoom for extra depth, using a Live Photo, or take advantage of beautiful shifts with Dark Appearance.

Wallpaper Tips & Tricks

Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of iPhone wallpaper:

  • Use portrait mode photos taken with the rear iPhone camera to get stunning depth-effect wallpapers.
  • Tap and hold on the home screen to rearrange apps over your wallpaper how you like.
  • The Apple TV app has an extensive collection of beautiful aerial videos you can use as live wallpaper.
  • Many third party apps like Vellum also offer unique animated and live wallpapers.
  • To save battery, don’t use live or motion-effect wallpapers.

Experiment with different types of photos, textures, portrait shots, and even screenshot wallpapers of app interfaces you like. There are endless possibilities for making your iPhone uniquely yours with custom wallpaper.

Troubleshooting Problems

Here are some common issues people run into with iPhone wallpaper and how to solve them:

Problem Solution
Wallpaper reverts back after restarting Make sure to tap “Set” when selecting a new wallpaper. If it still doesn’t stick, try changing the settings for both Lock Screen and Home Screen.
Wallpaper appears zoomed/cropped When selecting a wallpaper preview, pinch to zoom out and reposition the image so no cropping occurs.
Can’t get the whole photo to show up Tap the Perspective Zoom toggle before setting the wallpaper to fit the whole image.
Wallpaper looks blurry Make sure the original photo resolution matches or is larger than your iPhone screen resolution.
Dark Appearance not working Check that Dark Mode is enabled in Settings > Display & Brightness. Dark Appearance must be turned on for the wallpaper to shift colors.

Conclusion

Customizing your iPhone wallpaper is an easy way to add some personal flair and make your device feel unique. With just a few taps in the Settings app, you can choose a new default wallpaper or use your own photos. Make sure to take advantage of options like different home screen and lock screen images, Perspective Zoom, Dark Appearance, and Live Photos. With a little experimentation, you can find an iPhone wallpaper that really suits your style.