Changing the wallpaper on an iPhone 15 is quick and easy. You can use the Settings app or change it directly from the lock screen. Pick a photo, choose a built-in wallpaper type, adjust size and motion, and then set it for the Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both. This guide walks you step by step so you can pick the look you want in a few taps.
How To Change Wallpaper On iPhone 15 – Step by Step Tutorial
These steps will show you how to change the wallpaper using the Settings app and the lock screen, so you can pick images, apply effects, and set them where you want.
Step 1: Open the Settings app.
Tap the gray gear icon on your Home Screen or App Library to open Settings.
The Settings app is where most system choices live, including wallpaper options. If you prefer, you can also start from the lock screen by long pressing it to enter customization mode.
Step 2: Tap Wallpaper.
Find and tap the Wallpaper option in Settings to see current wallpapers and the add button.
This screen shows previews of your Lock Screen and Home Screen. It also has an Add New Wallpaper button that opens Apple’s wallpaper gallery and your photos.
Step 3: Tap Add New Wallpaper.
Press Add New Wallpaper to choose from featured images, Apple wallpapers, Photo Shuffle, or your photos.
Apple offers dynamic, still, and live wallpapers, plus curated images and color options. Photo Shuffle cycles multiple photos automatically if you want variety.
Step 4: Choose a category, then pick an image.
Select a category like Photos, People, or Live, and tap the image you want to use.
If you pick Photos, browse your albums. For People, the iPhone suggests images with faces. Live Photos animate on the lock screen when pressed.
Step 5: Adjust position, scale, and effects.
Use pinch to zoom, drag to reposition, and toggle motion or depth effects to change how the image looks.
You can enable or disable perspective zoom to keep the background fixed or to let it move slightly when you tilt the phone. For portrait shots, Depth Effect can separate subject from background.
Step 6: Tap Add and choose how to apply it.
Tap Add in the top-right corner, then choose Set as Wallpaper Pair to use it on both screens, or Customize Home Screen to give the Home Screen a color, gradient, blur or different photo.
Since iOS 16, every wallpaper is a pair made up of a Lock Screen and a matching Home Screen. Older guides mention Set Lock Screen, Set Home Screen and Set Both buttons, which no longer exist.
Step 7: Use the lock screen to switch or customize quickly.
Long press your Lock Screen, tap Customize, then pick Lock Screen or Home Screen to change or switch wallpapers without going to Settings.
This method also lets you choose Focus links for a lock screen to match a Focus mode and to switch between saved lock screens quickly.
After completing these steps, your iPhone 15 will display the new wallpaper where you set it. If you chose a live photo, it will animate when you press the lock screen. You can always return to Settings or long press the lock screen to tweak the image, swap it out, or restore a previous wallpaper.
Apple’s guide to changing the wallpaper on iPhone shows the same gallery and options.
Popular Wallpaper Types to Try
- Photo Shuffle: rotates through a set of your photos, either on tap, on wake, hourly or daily. Pick specific photos or let the iPhone choose people, pets, nature or cities.
- Live Photo: choose a Live Photo and it plays a short motion each time you wake the screen.
- Weather and Astronomy: live wallpapers that show current conditions or the Earth and Moon.
- Emoji and Color: simple pattern or gradient backgrounds you design yourself.
- Collections: Apple’s curated designs, including the Pride, Unity and classic iPhone wallpapers.
Customize the Lock Screen Look
While customizing a Lock Screen, tap the time to change its font, color and size, tap the area below the time to add widgets, and use the three-dot menu for options like Depth Effect. Swipe left or right on a photo to try filters such as Black & White or Duotone.
Link a Wallpaper to a Focus
You can switch wallpapers automatically with Focus modes. Touch and hold the Lock Screen, scroll to the wallpaper you want, tap Focus at the bottom and choose a Focus such as Work or Sleep. When that Focus turns on, the wallpaper changes with it.
Troubleshooting
- Add New Wallpaper is missing in Settings. Update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Live Photo wallpaper doesn’t move. Low Power Mode pauses the motion. Turn it off in Control Center or Settings > Battery.
- The photo is cropped too tightly. Pinch to zoom out while customizing. Very tall or wide photos may not fit perfectly without cropping.
- Depth Effect is greyed out. It only works with photos that have a clear subject and when the subject won’t be covered too much by the clock.
- Too many saved wallpapers. Swipe up on a wallpaper in the gallery and tap the trash icon. See how to delete a wallpaper on iPhone.
How To Change Wallpaper On iPhone 15 – Tips
- Use Photo Shuffle to rotate several favorite photos automatically so your phone feels fresh.
- Choose still images for the Home Screen to save battery and reduce motion.
- Use the crop and zoom tools to avoid weird cuts on the subject’s head or edges.
- Try built-in Apple wallpapers if you want a clean look that fits both light and dark modes.
- For Live Photos, enable Reduce Motion if you prefer less animation or want to save battery.
- Link a lock screen to a Focus mode to show different wallpapers for work, sleep, or personal time.
- Keep wallpapers simple behind widgets and icons so information stays readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a photo fit the screen without cutting off parts?
After you pick a photo, use pinch to zoom and drag to reposition it. Tap Done or Set when you are satisfied so the iPhone saves your framing.
Can I use a video as a wallpaper?
You cannot set a full video as wallpaper, but you can use a Live Photo which animates briefly on the lock screen. Convert a short video to a Live Photo using third-party apps if needed.
Will a wallpaper slow down my iPhone 15?
No, wallpapers do not slow down modern iPhones. Using live or animated wallpapers uses slightly more battery, but performance stays the same.
How do I remove a wallpaper and go back to default?
Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, choose the wallpaper you want to change, then set a different one. There is no single default button, but you can pick Apple’s default images to restore a standard look.
Can I have different wallpapers for Lock Screen and Home Screen?
Yes. Tap Customize Home Screen when you add a wallpaper, or later touch and hold the Lock Screen, tap Customize and choose Home Screen, then tap the photo button to pick a different picture.
Why does the wallpaper look blurry behind widgets?
The Home Screen may be set to Blur, which softens the image behind app icons and widgets. Customize the Home Screen and turn off Blur, or use a higher-resolution photo.
How do I keep the subject in the center on different screen sizes?
Use the crop tools to center the subject. For photos with a clear subject, turn on Depth Effect from the More (three-dot) menu while customizing, so the subject can overlap the clock.
Related: How to change the background on iPhone.
Related: how to delete a wallpaper on iPhone 14.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.