How to Change Wallpaper on iPhone Easily

Bored of your iPhone wallpaper? Time for a fresh new look! Learn how to switch it up in seconds, plus discover epic wallpapers you didn't know you needed!

Why Change Your Wallpaper?

Your iPhone's wallpaper isn't just a background; it's a statement. Whether you want to show off your style, match your vibe, or just switch things up, changing your wallpaper is the easiest way to give your screen a fresh new feel.

But how do you do it? Maybe you're tired of the default options, or you want to swap out that questionable selfie you set in a rush. No worries, we've got you covered!

In this guide, we'll walk you through four easy ways to change your iPhone wallpaper, from the Lock Screen, Settings, and Photos app, plus the ultimate hack for finding the coolest wallpapers ever (hint: it's Zedge 😉).

👉 Download Zedge Now!

4 Different Ways How to Change Your Wallpaper on iPhone

Way 1: Change iPhone Wallpaper Using Zedge

Want unique, high-quality wallpapers? Zedge is a go-to choice if you’re browsing the best wallpaper apps and want something better than the default gallery.

You’ll find everything from minimal aesthetics to the best 3D iPhone wallpaper, plus curated collections of the best Apple iPhone wallpapers that actually look sharp on modern screens.

Here's how:

1. Download and open the Zedge app.
2. Browse wallpapers and pick one you love.
3. Tap "Download" or Set directly from the app.
4. Choose Home Screen wallpaper, Lock Screen wallpaper, or both—done!

Pro Tip: If you’re into motion, Zedge is also a great place to explore the best iPhone live wallpapers so your Lock Screen feels more dynamic.

Way 2: Change Wallpapers on iPhone from Settings

The classic method. If you've already got a wallpaper in mind, the Settings app is the quickest way to switch things up.

Here's how:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap "Wallpaper" (or "Wallpaper & Brightness" if you've got an older model).
3. Tap “Add New Wallpaper”.
4. After selecting your perfect image, hit the "Add" button. You'll then have the option to set it as both your Home and Lock Screen or just the Lock Screen. It's your choice—mix it up!

Select the location of the image you want to use as your wallpaper. You can choose from your camera roll, Apple's built-in wallpapers, previous wallpapers, or your own downloaded wallpapers.

Boom! Your newly customized device is now ready to enjoy.

• Bonus: Apply a subtle blur effect for a sleek look.

Way 3: Change Wallpaper on iPhone Directly from Photos

Found the perfect pic in your camera roll? No need to dig through settings, you can set it as your wallpaper straight from the .

Here's how:

1. Open the on your iPhone.
2. Find the photo you want to use as your wallpaper and tap on it to open it.
3. "Share" button (the square with an arrow pointing up in the bottom left corner of the screen).
4. Swipe left on the bottom row of icons until you see the “Use as Wallpaper” option.
5. “Use as Wallpaper”.

6. Pinch to zoom and adjust the image until it fits perfectly where you want it.
7. Once you're happy with the position, tap "Set" and decide if you want the image for your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or both.

And that's how you change your Home Screen wallpaper from Photos! Quick, easy, and totally personal - just the way it should be!

Way 4: How to Change Wallpaper on iPhone from Lock Screen

If you're rocking iOS 16 or later, Apple made customizing your Lock Screen a breeze (and a whole lot cooler). Now, you can add animated wallpapers, create multiple lock screens, and switch them up anytime - without even unlocking your phone!

Here’s how:

1. Press and hold any blank space on your iPhone's Lock Screen to open the lock screen picker.
2. Personalize your new lock screen by choosing from a range of animated wallpapers and effects, Apple’s preset designs, or your photos.
3. Customize by adding widgets, filters, or depth effects.
4. Preview your lock screen and home screen wallpapers.
5. Pick from options like "Pair" to match your lock screen wallpaper, "Color" or "Gradient" for a sleek static background, or "Photos" to pick another image from your library.
6. If you go with "Color" or "Gradient," tap a second time to access the color picker and get your perfect shade. 
7. Once you're happy with your home screen wallpaper, just hit "Done" in the top-right corner to lock it in.

Want a bit of blur? Choose the "Blur" option for a soft effect—just keep in mind, it's only available when your lock screen wallpaper matches or you’ve got a custom photo in play.

Select “Set as Wallpaper Pair” or customize your Home Screen separately.

Once you’re happy, select "Add" (or "Done" if you're editing an existing lock screen).

Tap the “+” button in the bottom-right corner to create a new lock screen.

And that's it! Now you can swap wallpapers with a tap whenever you feel like a change, taking advantage of the new animated wallpapers and effects.

Want Motion? Here’s How to Set Video as Wallpaper on iPhone

A lot of people ask how to set a video as wallpaper on an iPhone, but iOS doesn’t let you set a normal video file as wallpaper directly. The usual workaround is using Live Photo-style wallpapers (or converting a short video into a Live Photo), then applying it as your Lock Screen wallpaper.

Need to Remove One First?

If your wallpaper gallery is cluttered or you just want to clean house, you may want to learn how to delete wallpaper on iPhone before adding new ones. It’s a quick process from the Lock Screen wallpaper gallery, and it makes switching styles feel a lot less messy.

Ready to Upgrade Your Wallpaper?

Now that you know how to switch up your wallpaper, why settle for anything ordinary? Zedge gives you instant access to a massive collection of stunning wallpapers to match any mood or style.

From nature landscapes to mind-bending designs, our gallery offers the best free wallpapers for every taste. Explore categories like 4K iPhone wallpapers, anime, gaming, holiday, sports, and more—whether you want something minimalist or full of personality, your perfect wallpaper is just a tap away.

Explore More Zedge Wallpapers

🎨 Download Zedge Now

Need to remove a wallpaper first? If you're looking to delete a wallpaper before setting a new one, check out this quick guide on how to delete wallpaper on iPhone.

FAQs

How do I change my Home Screen wallpaper on my iPhone?

Open Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, select your image, then set it as your Home Screen wallpaper (or set it as a pair).

How do I put different wallpapers on my iPhone screen?

When you add a wallpaper in Settings, iOS lets you choose whether you want the same image on both screens or a different Home Screen wallpaper.

How do I change my iPhone wallpaper instantly?

Fastest method: use the Lock Screen. Press and hold on the Lock Screen to open the wallpaper picker and switch to another one immediately.

How do I change my wallpaper from the Lock Screen?

Press and hold the Lock Screen, tap + to add a new one (or swipe to an existing one), then tap Customize or Add.

How do I set wallpaper on Apple Watch?

If you’re wondering how to set wallpaper on Apple Watch, it works differently than iPhone — Apple Watch uses watch faces. For a wallpaper-like look, choose a Photos watch face in the Watch app and select the images you want displayed.

How to buy ringtones on iPhone and Android?

If you’re also customizing sound, how to buy ringtones on iPhone and Android depends on the device: iPhone users typically get tones through Apple’s options (or syncing via supported methods), while Android users usually buy or download tones through the Play Store or ringtone apps. Many users use Zedge for ringtones too, since it offers both wallpapers and sound options in one place.

How to change the background of a picture on iPhone?

If you mean editing a photo (not your wallpaper), how to change the background of a picture on iPhone usually involves using the Photos app editing tools or a background-removal feature/app. After editing and saving the image, you can set it as wallpaper using Photos → Share → Use as Wallpaper.