Where to find the background color settings on your iPhone

You change your iPhone background through the Settings app, not through the home screen itself. Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then tap Customize. From there you can choose which screen you want to change — your lock screen (the one you see when you wake your phone), your home screen (where your apps live), or both at once.

If you want to change only the color without using a photo, you'll select a solid color wallpaper rather than a photo. Apple calls these "color" wallpapers, and they come in a set of preset options. You cannot create a completely custom color by typing in a hex code or RGB value — you're limited to the colors Apple provides.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then Customize to reach the background options for your lock screen or home screen.
  • Solid color wallpapers are built into iOS and come in preset options; you cannot create a custom color by entering a code.
  • You can set different backgrounds for your lock screen and home screen, or use the same one for both.
  • If you want a custom color not in Apple's presets, you can use a photo app to create a solid-color image and set that as your wallpaper instead.

Steps to change your lock screen background color

Tap Settings on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Wallpaper. Tap Customize next to the lock screen thumbnail (the preview at the top). You'll see a grid of wallpaper options — look for the section labeled Color or scroll to find solid-color options.

Tap the color you want. A preview will appear showing how it will look on your lock screen. Tap Done in the top right corner. Your lock screen background is now changed. If you want to change your home screen too, you'll need to repeat this process and select "Home Screen" instead of "Lock Screen" in the Customize menu.

Steps to change your home screen background color

From Settings > Wallpaper, tap Customize next to the home screen thumbnail (the lower preview). Scroll through the wallpaper options and select Color. Choose your color from the grid that appears.

The home screen preview will update to show your choice. Keep in mind that a solid color on your home screen will make your app icons and text more or less readable depending on which color you pick — darker colors tend to make white text harder to read. Tap Done to save your choice.

Changing both screens to the same color at once

If you want your lock screen and home screen to match, you can set them together. In Settings > Wallpaper, tap Customize and choose your color. Before you tap Done, look for an option that says Set for Both or similar wording (the exact label varies by iOS version). Tap that button, and both screens will update to the same color.

If you don't see that option, you can set them one at a time — first the lock screen, then the home screen — by following the steps above for each.

What to do if you want a color Apple doesn't offer

Apple's built-in color wallpapers are limited. If none of them match what you're looking for, you have two options: use a photo app to create a solid-color image, or search for a wallpaper app in the App Store that lets you generate custom colors.

To make your own solid-color image, open the Photos app, create a new album, and take a photo of a colored object or surface that matches what you want. Alternatively, use a free photo editor like Pixlr or Canva to create a blank image in your chosen color, save it to your phone, and then set it as your wallpaper through Settings > Wallpaper > Customize > Photos.

Why your background color might not look the way you expect

iOS applies visual effects to your wallpaper depending on where it appears. On your lock screen, the time and notifications sit on top of your color, so the color acts as a background. On your home screen, iOS may add a slight blur or transparency effect, especially if you have widgets or if your phone is in light or dark mode.

If your color looks different on the home screen than in the preview, this is normal — it's the result of iOS layering the color with other interface elements. You can always go back to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize and try a different color if you're not happy with how it looks in actual use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a gradient or pattern instead of a solid color?

Apple's built-in wallpapers include some gradients and subtle patterns, but they're limited. If you want a specific gradient, you'll need to create an image using a photo editor and save it to your phone, then set it as your wallpaper through the Photos option in the Wallpaper menu.

Will changing my background color affect my phone's battery life?

A solid color wallpaper uses less battery than a photo, especially on older iPhones. On newer iPhones with OLED screens, a black or very dark color uses slightly less power than bright colors, but the difference is minimal in everyday use.

What if the color I set doesn't show up on my lock screen?

Check whether you have a lock screen widget or notification badges covering the background. Widgets and notifications sit on top of your wallpaper. You can remove widgets by long-pressing your lock screen and tapping Edit, then swiping left on any widget and tapping Remove.

Can I set different colors for different times of day?

iOS does not have a built-in feature to automatically change your wallpaper color by time of day. You would need to use a third-party automation app or manually change it through Settings > Wallpaper each time.