The quickest way to switch your iPhone background

Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then tap Add New Wallpaper. Choose Colors from the menu, select white, and tap Add. On the next screen, choose whether to set it as your lock screen, home screen, or both, then tap Set as Wallpaper. Your background is now white.

If you want a white image instead of a solid color, you can also pick from Apple's built-in wallpapers or upload your own photo. The steps are the same—just choose Photos or a wallpaper collection instead of Colors.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest route is Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper > Colors > white, then choose lock screen or home screen.
  • You can set different wallpapers for your lock screen and home screen, so one can be white while the other stays black.
  • If you use a white photo instead of a solid color, make sure the image is clear enough to see your app icons or lock screen time.
  • Changes take effect when ready once you tap Set as Wallpaper—you do not need to restart your phone.

Using the Colors option for a solid white background

The Colors option in Wallpaper gives you a clean, uniform white without any pattern or texture. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Wallpaper, then tap Add New Wallpaper. A menu appears with options like Photos, Colors, and collections of pre-made wallpapers.

Tap Colors. A grid of color swatches appears. Tap the white swatch (usually in the top left or top right corner). A preview of your lock screen and home screen appears with the white background. Tap Add in the bottom right.

On the next screen, you see two options: Set as Lock Screen, Set as Home Screen, or Set as Both. Choose whichever you prefer, then tap Set as Wallpaper. The change happens right away.

Setting different wallpapers for lock screen and home screen

You do not have to use the same wallpaper on both screens. Many people keep a black lock screen (which saves battery on newer iPhones with OLED displays) and switch the home screen to white. To do this, repeat the steps above twice: once to set white on your home screen, and once to set black on your lock screen.

When you tap Add New Wallpaper the second time, choose Colors again, select black, and tap Set as Lock Screen only. Now your lock screen stays black while your home screen is white. You can swap them back anytime by following the same steps.

Using a white photo or image as your background

If you want a white background with texture, pattern, or a specific image, tap Photos instead of Colors. You can choose from your camera roll or use one of Apple's built-in wallpaper collections. Many of the pre-made collections include white or light-colored options.

Select your image, adjust the crop if needed by pinching and dragging, then tap Add. Choose lock screen, home screen, or both, and tap Set as Wallpaper. Keep in mind that a very bright or busy white image can make it hard to see your app icons or read the time on your lock screen, so test it before you commit.

What to do if white looks too bright or washes out your icons

A pure white background can make your home screen icons hard to see, especially if they are light-colored. If this happens, try a light gray or off-white color instead. Go back to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper > Colors and choose a lighter gray shade. The icons will stand out better while still giving you a bright, clean look.

Another option is to use a white image with a subtle pattern or texture. Apple's built-in wallpaper collections often include white options with faint designs that look clean but do not wash out your icons. You can also search your Photos app for any white or light-colored images you have taken.

Reverting to your old background or trying a different one

If you change your mind, the process is identical. Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, tap Add New Wallpaper, and choose a different color, photo, or collection. You can change your wallpaper as many times as you want with no limit. Each time you tap Set as Wallpaper, it replaces your previous choice.

If you want to go back to a wallpaper you used before, you may need to remember which one it was or search your Photos app. Apple does not keep a history of old wallpapers, so if you did not save the image or remember the name of the collection, you may have to browse through the options again to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a white lock screen and a different color home screen?

Yes. After setting white on one screen, go back to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, choose a different color, and select only the other screen. You can mix and match any colors or images you want on your lock screen and home screen independently.

Will a white background drain my iPhone battery?

On older iPhones with LCD screens, color makes no difference to battery life. On newer iPhones with OLED displays, white and bright colors use more battery than black because the pixels stay lit. If battery life matters to you, keep your lock screen black and use white only on your home screen.

What if the white color option does not appear in my Colors menu?

White is always available in the Colors menu on all iPhones. If you do not see it, scroll through the color swatches—it is usually one of the first options. If the menu looks different, make sure you are in Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper and that you tapped Colors, not Photos.

Can I use a white image from the internet as my wallpaper?

Yes. Save the image to your Photos app first by opening it in Safari, pressing and holding it, and tapping Save Image. Then go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper > Photos, find the image in your camera roll, and set it as your wallpaper.