The fastest way to change your lock screen photo
On both iPhone and Android, you change your lock screen photo through your phone's settings or by using the built-in lock screen editor. The exact steps depend on which phone you have, but both methods take less than a minute once you know where to look. You'll need a photo already saved on your phone, or you can take a new one during the process.
The photo you choose will appear every time your phone is locked — before you enter your passcode or use Face ID. You can change it as often as you want, and you can have different lock screen photos for different times of day if your phone supports it.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can change their lock screen photo by opening Settings, tapping Display & Brightness, then Lock Screen, and selecting a photo from their library.
- Android users typically go to Settings, then Display, then Lock Screen, and choose a photo or wallpaper from available options (exact steps vary by phone brand).
- You can use any photo from your phone's camera roll, or take a new photo during the setup process.
- Some phones let you set different lock screen photos for different times of day or create custom lock screens with widgets and shortcuts.
Changing your lock screen on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness, then tap Lock Screen. You'll see your current lock screen at the top of the screen.
Tap the lock screen preview itself to open the lock screen editor. At the bottom of the screen, tap Add New Lock Screen or the plus sign. Choose Photo from the options that appear. Your phone will open your photo library — scroll through and tap the photo you want to use. You can crop it by pinching and dragging, then tap Add at the bottom right.
After you add the photo, you can customize the look by tapping the font or color options at the bottom. When you're happy with it, tap Set as Lock Screen at the bottom right. Your new lock screen photo is now active.
Changing your lock screen on Android
The steps vary slightly depending on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, or another brand, but the general path is the same. Open Settings and look for Display or Home Screen and Lock Screen. Tap Lock Screen or Lock Screen Wallpaper.
You'll see options to choose a wallpaper or photo. Tap Wallpapers or Gallery (the exact wording depends on your phone). Select the photo you want from your phone's library, crop it if needed, and tap Set or explore. The change takes effect when ready.
On some Android phones like Samsung, you can also long-press the lock screen itself to open the lock screen customizer directly, which is faster than going through Settings.
Using photos from your camera roll versus taking a new one
Any photo already saved on your phone works as a lock screen photo. You don't need to read anything or use a special app — just pick from your camera roll. If you want to use a photo from the internet, save it to your phone first by long-pressing it and selecting Save Image, then follow the steps above.
If you want to take a new photo specifically for your lock screen, you can do that during the setup process. When you're choosing a photo, look for a camera icon or Take Photo option. Your phone will open the camera, let you take a picture, and then let you crop it before setting it as your lock screen.
Cropping and positioning your photo
Both iPhone and Android let you crop and reposition your photo before it becomes your lock screen. When you select a photo, you'll see a preview with handles or a frame around the edges. Pinch to zoom in or out, and drag to move the photo so the part you want is centered and visible.
Keep in mind that your lock screen photo will be partially covered by the time, date, and notifications. Choose a photo where the important part — a face, a landmark, a clear area — is in the center or lower half of the image. Avoid putting important details at the very top, where the time will sit.
Setting different lock screens for different times of day
iPhone 16 and newer models let you create multiple lock screens and set them to appear at different times. After you add a new lock screen photo, you can tap Schedule and choose a time range. For example, you could have a bright photo for daytime and a darker one for evening. You can create up to five different lock screens and assign each one to a different time.
Most Android phones do not have a built-in time-based lock screen switcher, though some Samsung phones offer similar features through their lock screen customization menu. Check your phone's lock screen settings to see if this option is available.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is choosing a photo that's too dark or has important details at the very top. Remember that the time, date, and notification icons will cover part of your lock screen, so test your choice by looking at it for a few seconds. If you can't read the time clearly, pick a different photo or adjust the brightness.
Another mistake is forgetting to save a photo to your phone before trying to use it as a lock screen. If you see a photo online that you like, long-press it and save it first. You can't use a link or a photo from the internet directly — it has to be in your phone's library.
On Android, if you don't see a Lock Screen option in Settings, try searching for "lock screen" in the Settings search bar at the top. Different manufacturers hide this setting in different places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a live photo or video as my lock screen?
iPhone supports live photos on the lock screen if you have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. When you select a photo, look for a Live toggle at the bottom — turn it on if the photo supports it. Most Android phones do not support animated lock screens, though some allow video wallpapers through third-party apps.
What if my lock screen photo looks different than I expected?
Lock screen photos are often cropped or zoomed differently than they appear in your camera roll. Go back to your lock screen settings, tap the photo, and adjust the crop or zoom until it looks right. You can also try a different photo if the current one doesn't work well with the time and notifications covering part of it.
Can I change my lock screen photo without changing my home screen wallpaper?
Yes. Your lock screen and home screen are separate, and you can set different photos for each one. When you follow the steps above, you're only changing the lock screen. Your home screen wallpaper stays the same unless you change it separately through your wallpaper settings.
Do I need to restart my phone after changing the lock screen?
No. The change takes effect when ready. Lock your phone and unlock it to see your new lock screen photo right away.
Can I delete a lock screen photo after I set it?
Yes. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Display & Brightness > Lock Screen, tap and hold the lock screen you want to remove, and tap Delete. On Android, go to your lock screen settings and look for a delete or remove option next to the wallpaper you want to change.