The fastest way to change your lock screen
Open Settings, tap Lock Screen, then tap the preview image at the top. Swipe left or right to browse Apple's built-in wallpapers, or tap the plus sign to add a photo from your library. Once you pick one, tap Set as Lock Screen at the bottom. That's it — your lock screen changes when ready.
If you want to customize further, you can add widgets (like weather or calendar) to your lock screen before you save it. You can also create multiple lock screens and switch between them by long-pressing the lock screen itself and swiping to a different one. Most people stick with the default route, but the option is there if you want it.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > Lock Screen > tap the preview image, then choose a wallpaper and tap Set as Lock Screen.
- You can use Apple's built-in wallpapers or upload any photo from your camera roll or photo library.
- Lock screen and home screen wallpapers are separate — changing one does not change the other.
- You can create and save multiple lock screens and switch between them by long-pressing your current lock screen.
- Widgets on your lock screen show live information like weather, calendar events, or reminders without unlocking your phone.
Using Apple's built-in wallpapers
Apple includes dozens of wallpapers in the Lock Screen menu. Open Settings, go to Lock Screen, and tap the preview image at the top. You'll see categories like Collections, Nature, Astronomy, and Emoji. Swipe through each category to see what's available, then tap one to preview it full-screen.
Once you've picked a wallpaper, you can adjust the color filter or style before you save it. Some wallpapers let you change the color tone or add a blur effect. Tap the settings icon (usually a circle with sliders) to see your options, then tap Set as Lock Screen when you're done.
Adding a photo from your phone
To use your own photo, open Settings, go to Lock Screen, and tap the preview image. Tap the plus sign in the upper left corner, then tap Photos. Select the album where your photo lives (Camera Roll, Favorites, or a custom album), then tap the photo you want.
Your photo will appear full-screen. You can pinch to zoom, drag to reposition it, or adjust the color filter using the icon at the bottom. Once it looks right, tap Set as Lock Screen. If the photo is too small or doesn't fill the screen properly, iOS will crop it automatically to fit.
The difference between lock screen and home screen wallpaper
Your lock screen is what you see before you unlock your phone. Your home screen is the grid of apps you see after you unlock it. These are two separate wallpapers, and changing one does not change the other.
If you want to change your home screen wallpaper instead, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, pick your image, and tap Set as Home Screen. You can also set a wallpaper for both at once by choosing Set Both at the end of the process.
Creating and switching between multiple lock screens
You can save more than one lock screen and switch between them without going back to Settings. Long-press your current lock screen (the one showing when your phone is locked), and you'll see a row of your saved lock screens at the bottom. Swipe left or right to browse them, then tap the one you want to use.
To create a new lock screen, long-press and tap the plus sign at the bottom left. You'll go through the same process as before — pick a wallpaper, add widgets if you want, and tap Set as Lock Screen. Now you have two lock screens saved, and you can switch between them anytime by long-pressing.
Adding widgets to your lock screen
Widgets show live information on your lock screen without you having to unlock your phone — things like the current temperature, your next calendar event, or how many steps you've taken. When you're setting up a new lock screen, tap Add Widgets after you pick your wallpaper.
Tap the plus sign to add a widget, then choose an app. Some apps have multiple widgets to choose from (Weather has a small forecast and a larger one, for example). Pick the size and style you want, then tap Add. You can add up to five widgets per lock screen, though space is limited and they stack vertically.
Troubleshooting lock screen changes that don't stick
If you set a new lock screen and it reverts to the old one, restart your phone. Hold the power button and volume down (or volume up on older models) until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off. Wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.
If you're trying to use a photo and it won't let you set it, the photo may be corrupted or in a format iOS doesn't recognize. Try a different photo first to rule that out. If multiple photos fail, delete the problematic one from your library and try again. Photos taken directly with your iPhone camera almost always work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a live photo as my lock screen wallpaper?
Yes. When you pick a live photo, iOS will play a short animation when you long-press your lock screen. Go to Settings > Lock Screen, tap the preview image, tap the plus sign, choose Photos, and select your live photo. The animation plays only when you interact with the lock screen, not constantly.
Why does my lock screen look different after I restart my phone?
iOS sometimes resets to a default lock screen after a restart or update. This is rare, but if it happens, go back to Settings > Lock Screen and set your wallpaper again. If the problem keeps happening, try restarting once more or updating to the latest iOS version.
Can I set different lock screens for different times of day?
Not automatically. You have to switch manually by long-pressing your lock screen and swiping to a different one. iOS does not have a built-in schedule for rotating lock screens, but you can create multiple ones and change them whenever you want.
What happens to my lock screen if I update my iPhone?
Your lock screen wallpaper and settings stay in place during an iOS update. Widgets may need to be re-added if the update changes how they work, but your wallpaper image and basic setup will remain the same.