The fastest way to change your lock screen picture

Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap Lock Screen, then tap Customize. Tap the preview image at the top of the screen, choose Photo Library, select a photo from your phone, and tap Done. The new image appears on your lock screen when ready.

If you want to add a widget or change the clock style at the same time, you can do that from the same Customize screen. But if you only want to swap the picture, the photo library route is the quickest path.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > Lock Screen > Customize, then tap the preview image and choose Photo Library to pick a new picture.
  • You can also use the Camera app to take a photo and set it as your lock screen without leaving the app.
  • If you have multiple lock screen styles saved, you can swipe between them on your actual lock screen to switch which one shows.
  • Changing your lock screen picture does not change your home screen background — they are separate settings.

Using the Camera app to take and set a lock screen photo

Open the Camera app and take a photo. Once the photo appears in your viewfinder, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Tap Set as Lock Screen, then tap Set as Lock Screen again to confirm. The photo becomes your lock screen picture right away.

This method is useful if you want to photograph something in the moment — a sunset, a pet, a document — and make it your lock screen without navigating through Settings first. The photo is also saved to your Photos app, so you have it backed up.

Switching between multiple lock screens on your phone

You can create more than one lock screen style and store them all on your phone. To add another one, go to Settings > Lock Screen and tap the + button at the bottom left. Choose a style, pick a photo, customize the clock and widgets if you want, then tap Done.

Once you have two or more lock screens saved, you can swipe left or right directly on your lock screen to cycle through them. The one you swipe to becomes active. This is faster than going back into Settings each time you want a different look.

Choosing a photo that works well on your lock screen

Lock screen photos work best when the subject is off to one side, because the time and date sit in the center and bottom of your screen. A photo of a person's face centered in the frame will have the clock covering their eyes. A landscape photo with the main subject on the left or right leaves room for the text.

Avoid photos that are very dark or very bright all over — the clock and notifications need to be readable on top of the image. If your photo is too dark, the white text may be hard to see. If it is too bright, the text may wash out. You can test this by setting the photo and looking at your actual lock screen for a few seconds before deciding to keep it.

Why your lock screen picture is different from your home screen background

Your iPhone has two separate backgrounds: the lock screen (what you see before you unlock) and the home screen (what you see after). Changing one does not change the other. If you want both to match, you have to set them separately.

To change your home screen background instead, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, choose a photo, and tap Set as Home Screen Background. You can also set a photo as both at once by tapping Set Both if that option appears.

Troubleshooting: Your lock screen picture is not showing up

If you set a photo but it does not appear on your lock screen, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, drag it to turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. After the restart, check your lock screen again.

If the photo still does not show, go back to Settings > Lock Screen > Customize and make sure the photo is still selected in the preview. Sometimes a photo will fail to load if your phone is low on storage or if the image file is corrupted. Try choosing a different photo to see if the problem is with that specific image or with the lock screen feature itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo from the internet as my lock screen picture?

Yes. Long-press the image in Safari or another app, tap Save Image, then go to Settings > Lock Screen > Customize and choose that photo from your Photo Library. The image is now saved to your phone and available for your lock screen.

What happens to my lock screen picture if I update my iPhone?

Your lock screen picture stays in place after a software update. The photo and your lock screen settings are part of your phone's data and are preserved during updates. You do not need to reset it.

Can I set a live photo as my lock screen picture?

Yes. When you choose a photo from your library, if it is a live photo, you will see a Live toggle at the bottom of the preview. Turn it on to make your lock screen animate when you press it. Turn it off if you want a still image instead.

Why does my lock screen picture look different than the photo in my library?

Your iPhone crops and adjusts the photo to fit the lock screen layout and to make sure the time and notifications are readable. The original photo in your library stays unchanged. If you do not like how it looks cropped, try a different photo or adjust the zoom slider that appears when you are choosing the image.