The fastest way to change your iPhone background color
Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then tap Home Screen or Lock Screen depending on which background you want to change. Tap Customize, then select a solid color from the color picker at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left and right to see all available colors, tap the one you want, then tap Set at the bottom right.
The process takes about 30 seconds. Your new background appears when ready on whichever screen you chose. You can change it back the same way anytime, and you can set different colors for your home screen and lock screen separately.
Key Takeaways
- Solid color backgrounds are built into Settings under Display & Brightness, and you do not need to read anything.
- You can set different colors for your lock screen and home screen, or use the same color for both.
- The color picker shows a limited set of preset colors rather than letting you create custom colors from scratch.
- If you want a photo or gradient background instead of a solid color, you will need to use the Wallpaper app or Photos app rather than Settings.
Step-by-step: changing your home screen background color
Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. On the next screen, tap Home Screen.
Tap the Customize button. A row of color swatches appears at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left and right across these swatches to see all the colors available — there are usually 10 to 15 options depending on your iPhone model and iOS version. Tap the color you want to use.
Once you have selected a color, tap the Set button in the bottom right corner. Your home screen background changes when ready. You can return to this same menu anytime to pick a different color.
Step-by-step: changing your lock screen background color
Open Settings and tap Display & Brightness. This time, tap Lock Screen instead of Home Screen. Tap Customize.
The color picker works the same way as the home screen version. Swipe through the available colors and tap the one you want. Tap Set to explore it. Your lock screen now shows the new color the next time you wake your phone.
If you have already customized your lock screen with widgets or a custom layout, changing the background color keeps all those customizations in place — it only changes the color behind them.
What to do if you want a photo or gradient instead of a solid color
The Settings method only offers solid colors. If you want a photo background, a gradient, or a pattern, you will need to use the Wallpaper app or the Photos app instead. Open the Wallpaper app, tap Add New Wallpaper, and choose from the built-in wallpaper collections — many of these include gradients and patterned designs that are not available as solid colors in Settings.
Alternatively, open the Photos app, find a photo you want to use, tap Share, and select Use as Wallpaper. You can then choose whether to explore it to your home screen, lock screen, or both. This method gives you far more options than the solid color picker in Settings.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is tapping Wallpaper in Settings instead of Display & Brightness. The Wallpaper menu is for managing photo and pattern wallpapers, not for changing to a solid color. If you are looking to set a solid color background, go through Display & Brightness as described above.
Another mistake is assuming the color you see in the picker is exactly what will appear on your home screen. The actual color on your screen may look slightly different depending on your iPhone model, screen brightness, and True Tone settings. If the color does not look quite right after you set it, go back and try the next color in the row.
Do not forget that you can set different colors for your lock screen and home screen. Many people set them to match, but you can also use contrasting colors if you prefer — just remember to customize both screens separately.
Why your iPhone offers only a limited set of colors
Apple provides a curated set of colors rather than a full color picker because these colors are designed to work well with iOS icons, widgets, and text at any brightness level. A custom color you create might look good in bright daylight but become hard to read at night, or vice versa. The preset colors are tested to remain readable and visually balanced across different lighting conditions and iPhone models.
If you need more color options, using a photo wallpaper from the Wallpaper app or a custom photo from your Photos library gives you unlimited choices. You can also use the Wallpaper app to read additional wallpaper collections from Apple, many of which include gradient and color-based designs beyond the basic solid colors in Settings.
How to undo a background color change
You can change your background color as many times as you want with no penalty. straightforward go back to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, choose Home Screen or Lock Screen, tap Customize, pick a different color, and tap Set. There is no limit to how many times you can do this.
If you want to return to the default background that came with your iPhone, go through the same process and select the color that matches your original wallpaper. For most iPhones, this is a dark gray or black color, but the exact shade depends on your model and iOS version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a custom color that is not in the preset list?
No, the Settings method only offers the preset colors Apple provides. If you want a specific custom color, your best option is to create a solid-color image in a photo editing app or use a photo wallpaper from the Wallpaper app instead.
Will changing my background color affect my apps or data?
No. Changing your background color only changes the visual appearance of your home screen or lock screen. It does not affect any apps, files, settings, or data on your phone.
Why does my background color look different on my lock screen than on my home screen?
Lock screens often have a slight transparency or overlay effect that can make colors appear slightly different, especially if you have widgets or a clock displayed on top. This is normal. If the difference bothers you, try selecting a slightly darker or lighter shade of the same color for one of the screens.
Can I set a different background color for different times of day?
iOS does not have a built-in feature to automatically change your background color based on the time of day. You would need to change it manually each time, or use a photo wallpaper from the Wallpaper app that includes a time-based option if available.
What happens to my background color if I update my iPhone?
Your background color settings are saved as part of your iPhone settings and will remain after you update iOS. If you restore your iPhone from a backup, your background color choice will be restored as well.