How to change your wallpaper on iPhone or iPad

By Christine Chan, Sergio Velasquez
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wallpaper
wallpaper (Image credit: iMore)
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On the outside, most iPhones and iPad look and feel the same. But, as they say, what matters is on the inside. Sure, you can put a case for your iPhone, but the faster way to make it your own is by customizing your Home screen with a beautiful wallpaper. You can choose to add a default wallpaper made by Apple or use your own pictures Photos app. Here's how to change your wallpaper on iPhone and iPad.

How to change your wallpaper on iPhone and iPad

First, let's learn how to change your wallpaper on iPhone or iPad and use Apple's stock library. There are many options for you to choose from. Plus, some wallpapers change if you're using Dark Mode.

  1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Wallpaper.
  3. Tap on Choose a New Wallpaper.

How to change your wallpaper: Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap on Wallpaper. Tap on Choose a New Wallpaper (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap on the type of wallpaper you want to use.
    • Dynamic: This is an image from Apple's stock photo library with effects that fade into view and react to your device's movement.
    • Stills: This is a still image from Apple's stock photo library.
    • Live: These wallpapers make a small animation when you tap on them and hold your finger.
    • Photo Library: An image that comes from your personal photo library.
  2. Select an image to go into Preview mode.
  3. While in Preview mode, you can choose to leave perspective zoom on or off. If you leave it on, you'll see your wallpaper move when you tilt your iPhone.
  4. Tap Set.

How to change your wallpaper: Select the type of wallpaper, tap on an image to go into Preview mode. Choose to leave perspective zoom on or off (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose whether you want that wallpaper for your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or Both.

How to change wallpaper on iPhone or iPad from the Photos app

  1. Launch Photos on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Find a photo that you want to use as your wallpaper and select it.
  3. Tap on the Share button in the bottom left corner.

Change Wallpaper from the Photos app: Open the Photos app, find a picture you want to use as wallpaper, tap on the Share button (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Scroll down in the Share Sheet and select the Use as Wallpaper option.
  2. Move and Scale your image, so it fits your screen the way you like it. Or choose to Leave Perspective Zoom on.
  3. Tap on Set.
  4. Then choose if you want it for your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or Both.

Change Wallpaper from the Photos app: Tap on Use as Wallpaper, move and scale your picture. Once you're done, tap on Set, and select where you want to use your picture as wallpaper. (Image credit: iMore)

Questions?

If you have any issues with setting your device's wallpaper, let us know in the comments below!

October 2020: Updated for iOS 14.

iOS

HomeKit

○ iOS 14 Review
○ What's new in iOS 14
○ Updating your iPhone ultimate guide
○ iOS Help Guide
○ iOS Discussion

Christine Chan
Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed.

When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.