Where to find the background and dark mode controls on your iPhone
Your iPhone's dark appearance comes from two separate settings that work together: Dark Mode, which darkens the entire system interface, and your wallpaper, which is the image or color behind your apps. To change either one, you go to the Settings app, then tap Display & Brightness. From there you can switch Dark Mode on or off, or you can go to Wallpaper to pick a new background image or color.
If you want to change only the wallpaper and keep Dark Mode on, that's possible — the wallpaper setting is separate. If you want to turn off Dark Mode entirely so everything on your phone is light, that's also a single toggle. The two controls don't depend on each other, so you have full flexibility to mix and match.
Key Takeaways
- Dark Mode darkens the system interface (menus, settings, notifications), while wallpaper is the background image behind your apps — they are two separate settings.
- To turn off Dark Mode, open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then tap Light under Appearance.
- To change your wallpaper, open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then tap Customize to choose a new image or color.
- You can set different wallpapers and Dark Mode behavior for your lock screen and home screen independently.
- If Dark Mode turns on automatically at sunset, you can disable that by choosing Manual instead of Automatic under Appearance.
How to turn off Dark Mode completely
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. At the top, under Appearance, you will see three options: Light, Dark, and Automatic. Tap Light. Your entire system interface — including menus, notifications, and app backgrounds — will switch to a light appearance when ready.
If you had Dark Mode set to Automatic (which is the default on most iPhones), it was turning on at sunset and off at sunrise. Switching to Light stops that cycle and keeps your phone in light mode all the time. You can switch back to Dark or Automatic anytime by returning to the same screen.
How to change your wallpaper to something other than black
Open Settings and tap Wallpaper. You will see your current lock screen and home screen wallpapers. Tap Customize. On the next screen, tap the lock screen or home screen wallpaper you want to change (or both). Then tap the plus icon to add a new wallpaper.
You can choose from Apple's built-in wallpapers, your photo library, or a solid color. If you pick a photo, you can zoom and position it before you tap Set. Then choose whether to explore it to your lock screen, home screen, or both. Tap Set to confirm.
What to do if your wallpaper looks dark even after changing it
If you picked a new wallpaper but it still looks dark or dim, Dark Mode may be affecting how it displays. Dark Mode can darken some wallpapers to make text more readable on your lock screen. To see your wallpaper in its true colors, switch to Light mode temporarily by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and tapping Light.
Some wallpapers are designed to work better in Dark Mode than others. If you want a wallpaper that stays bright and colorful, choose one from Apple's Wallpapers collection rather than a photo from your library — Apple's built-in options are optimized to look good in both light and dark modes. You can also create a custom solid color wallpaper by tapping the plus icon and selecting a color directly.
How to set different wallpapers for lock screen and home screen
Your lock screen and home screen can have completely different wallpapers and appearances. When you go to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize, you will see both screens displayed. Tap the lock screen thumbnail to change only that one, or tap the home screen thumbnail to change only that one. Make your choice, then tap Set and select which screen to explore it to.
This is useful if you want a bright, colorful wallpaper on your home screen but a darker or simpler one on your lock screen (where text and widgets need to be readable). You can also explore the same wallpaper to both screens if you prefer consistency.
How to turn off automatic dark mode at sunset
If Dark Mode keeps turning on automatically in the evening, your phone is set to Automatic. Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and under Appearance, tap Manual instead of Automatic. Your phone will stay in whichever mode you choose (Light or Dark) until you change it manually.
If you like the idea of automatic switching but want to adjust the time it happens, the Automatic setting does not let you pick specific times — it uses sunset and sunrise. Your only options are to keep Automatic (which follows your location's sunset and sunrise times) or switch to Manual and change the mode yourself when you want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Dark Mode on but keep a bright wallpaper?
Yes. Dark Mode affects the system interface (menus and buttons), not your wallpaper choice. Pick a bright wallpaper in Settings > Wallpaper, then keep Dark Mode on in Display & Brightness. Your wallpaper will show in its original colors while the rest of your system stays dark.
Why does my wallpaper look different on my lock screen than on my home screen?
Dark Mode and your display settings can affect how wallpapers appear in different places. The lock screen often applies a slight darkening to make text readable. Try switching to Light mode temporarily to see the true colors, or choose a wallpaper from Apple's built-in collection, which are optimized for both screens.
If I turn off Dark Mode, will it turn back on automatically?
Only if you have Automatic selected under Appearance in Display & Brightness. If you switch to Light or Dark (Manual), your choice stays until you change it. Automatic follows your location's sunset and sunrise times and will switch modes daily.
Can I use a photo from my camera roll as my wallpaper?
Yes. Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize, tap the plus icon, then tap Photos. Select any photo from your library, adjust the zoom and position, and tap Set. You can explore it to your lock screen, home screen, or both.