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 Set and choose where to apply it.
Tap Set, then pick Set Lock Screen, Set Home Screen, or Set Both to apply the wallpaper.
If you choose Set Both, the same image appears on both screens. If you choose only Lock Screen, the Home Screen keeps its current wallpaper.
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.
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, when you tap Set you can choose Set Lock Screen, Set Home Screen, or Set Both to put different images on each screen.
Why does the wallpaper look blurry behind widgets?
If you use perspective zoom it can slightly shift or scale the image, which might blur edges. Turn off perspective or use a higher resolution image for a clearer look.
How do I keep the subject in the center on different screen sizes?
Use the crop tools to center the subject. For portraits, try Depth Effect to lift the subject from the background so it remains visible behind widgets.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap Wallpaper
- Tap Add New Wallpaper
- Pick a category and image
- Adjust crop and effects
- Tap Set and choose location
- Use lock screen long press to customize
Conclusion
Changing your phone’s look is one of the easiest ways to make it feel new. You learned how to change wallpaper on iPhone 15 using both the Settings app and the lock screen method. Start by choosing an image you love, then tweak the position and effects so it looks right behind your apps and widgets. If you like variety, try Photo Shuffle to rotate pictures throughout the day. If you prefer calm and minimalism, use simple stills and turn off perspective. Live Photos are great for motion lovers, but they use a little more battery. Remember to check how your icons and widgets sit on top of the wallpaper, and adjust the image so important parts are not hidden.
If something does not look right, you can always go back and edit or replace the wallpaper. The iPhone 15 gives you several built-in options and a lot of control, so you can create a setup that fits your style and day-to-day needs. Want a new lock screen for work and a fun one for weekends? Set up Focus-linked lock screens and switch with a single tap. For more advanced tweaking, explore third-party wallpaper apps that offer tools to convert video to Live Photo or to generate wallpapers that match your color theme.
Now that you know how to change wallpaper and manage settings, try different looks today. Experiment with colors, textures, and photos until your iPhone feels like yours. If you want more tips, check Apple’s support pages or look for wallpaper collections that match the iPhone 15’s screen size and resolution.
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.