If you're confused about how to change wallpapers on iPhone, don't worry.
Apple transformed the process of changing or deleting your wallpaper back in iOS 16 and continues to add new features and tweaks. The new wallpaper system might seem a little confusing at first, but we're here to walk you through every step.
Whether you're wondering how to delete a wallpaper on iPhone, how to change the wallpaper you already have, or how to swap out that old lock screen background, this guide can help. Plus, we'll take a peek at some new wallpaper, home screen, and lock screen customization features coming in iOS 18.
How to change wallpaper on iPhone (iOS 16 onward)
1. Start by unlocking your iPhone. From the home screen, drag down to view your unlocked lock screen.
2. Long press any empty area on the lock screen (space without widgets or notifications). Your lock screen will "zoom out" so a carousel of wallpapers with some options below shows up.
3. Swipe left in the wallpaper carousel and tap the plus sign button to create a new wallpaper.
4. Choose a photo from your gallery by tapping the "Photos" button at the top of the "New Wallpaper" menu or select one of the dozens of pre-designed wallpapers from Apple.
Tapping one will show a preview of it as your lock screen. To use it, tap "Add" (don't worry, you'll be able to customize the lock screen and home screen wallpapers separately in the next step).
5. After selecting "Add", you'll see a pop-up with two options: "Set as Wallpaper Pair" and "Customize Home Screen." If you want your lock screen and home screen wallpapers to match, tap "Set as Wallpaper Pair."
If you want to use a different image for your home screen, select "Customize Home Screen" instead and you'll be able to change the color and filter on the home screen or tap the "Photo" option to choose a different image. When you're finished, tap "Done" in the top right corner of your screen.
6. When you finish customizing your new wallpaper, your iPhone will take you back to the wallpaper carousel. Simply tap the new wallpaper to set it as your new lock screen and home screen.
And that's it! If you're wondering how to change wallpapers on iPhone, this new wallpaper carousel is the system for it moving forward. It's a bit more complicated than changing your wallpaper from the Photos app, but it allows you to save wallpapers and swap between them whenever you want, a lot like the watch faces on an Apple Watch.
How to delete wallpaper on iPhone (iOS 16 onward)
1. On the home screen, swipe down from the notch or Dynamic Island to pull up your lock screen.
2. Long press on your lock screen to open the wallpaper carousel.
3. Scroll through the wallpaper carousel to find the wallpaper you want to delete. Drag the wallpaper upwards, revealing a red trash can.
4. Tap the trash can icon to delete the wallpaper. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm you want to delete it. Select "Delete This Wallpaper" and you're all done.
And that's it! Your unwanted wallpaper is now gone and you can choose or create a new one in the wallpaper carousel.
New wallpaper features on iPhone in iOS 18
If you're wondering how to change the wallpaper on your iPhone or delete it, you're soon going to have even more options for customization. At WWDC 2024, Apple announced a slew of new features coming to the home screen and lock screen in iOS 18, the upcoming update to iOS slated for this fall.
In iOS 18, you will be able to use dynamic wallpapers, formerly only available on Mac. You will also have options for "dark mode" and different color washes to make your app icons fit the style of your wallpaper. Plus, iOS 18 will allow you to place app icons wherever you want to on your home screen.
The lock screen is getting an update, too. In iOS 18, you will have the option to change the controls at the bottom of your screen. By default, these two control buttons are for the camera and flashlight, but iOS 18 will allow you to change them to whatever you want. For instance, you could make one of them a shortcut to the Messages app.
It's exciting to see Apple bringing some much-needed customization features to the home screen and lock screen on iPhone. Apple hasn't announced the official release date for iOS 18 yet, but we're expecting it to arrive in mid-September, possibly on September 16 or 18.
So, stay tuned for more updates on how to change your wallpaper on iPhone, how to use Apple's new customization features, and more tips and tricks for iOS 18.
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