How to Change Your Lock Screen on iPhone: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Refreshing Your iPhone’s Lock Screen: Easy as Pie

Feeling like your current lock screen is a bit run-of-the-mill? Customising it can really brighten up that little rectangle you stare at every day. Swapping out your wallpaper not only makes your iPhone more interesting but also gives you a chance to showcase what you love, whether it’s a stunning photo, artwork, or a sleek new theme. It’s dead easy: go into settings, tap on the wallpaper section, and choose something fresh. Just a couple of taps, and Bob’s your uncle! You’ll have a lock screen that puts a smile on your face.

Let’s Get Started with Changing That Lock Screen

Head Over to Settings

First up, unlock your iPhone and find that little Settings icon sitting nicely on your home screen. Tap it, and you’re into the hub for tweaking just about everything — including wallpapers.

Find the Wallpaper Section

Scroll down until you spot Wallpaper. Tap on it, and you’ll see what’s currently set and what new options are available. If you like, you can also shortcut straight there via Settings > Wallpaper.

Choose a New Wallpaper

Tap Choose a New Wallpaper to see your options. You’ll find a gallery of Apple’s default wallpapers alongside any photos you’ve snapped or saved. This is the fun part — browse through what’s there and pick something that speaks to you.

Pick Your Favourite

Look through categories like Dynamic or Stills, or dive into your personal photos in Photos. Choose an image that matches your vibe — dynamic wallpapers have a bit of movement to catch the eye, while stills keep it nice and neat. If you’re using a personal shot, tap on it then hit Share to set it up seamlessly.

Set the Wallpaper

When you’ve found the perfect pic, tap Set and choose Set Lock Screen. You can also opt to set it for your Home Screen or both, so they match. Make sure the preview looks spot-on because this is what you’ll see every time you unlock your phone. Want to change it later? Just revisit the same menu and pick a new one.

Here’s a handy tip: on newer, top-end iPhones like the iPhone 14 Pro, you can long-press the lock screen itself and select Customize instead of digging through settings. Very convenient, right?

Quick Tips to Give Your Lock Screen a Makeover

To make things look even better, opt for high-quality images that won’t get all blurry or pixelated in different lighting. Dynamic wallpapers with subtle animations can really make your screen pop. Matching your lock screen with your home screen creates a smooth visual flow. A pro trick: switch wallpapers depending on the time of day — light and bright during the day, darker at night — it’s easier on your eyes. And changing your wallpaper every now and then keeps things feeling fresh. You can manage your wallpapers in Settings > Wallpaper > All Photos or directly through the Photos app. These little adjustments make your device uniquely yours.

Common Questions About Changing Your Lock Screen

Can I use a Live Photo as my lock screen?

Absolutely! If you’ve got a newer iPhone (like the 6s or later), you can set a Live Photo. Just pick a photo marked with the Live label in the settings. Keep in mind, it’ll animate when you unlock your phone or press down (if your model supports 3D Touch or Haptic Touch). Pretty neat, right?

What if I can’t find dynamic wallpapers?

Dynamic wallpapers can be a bit elusive on older iPhones. Make sure your device is updated to iOS 16 or newer. Check this via Settings > General > Software Update. If your device still won’t play ball, there are some trustworthy third-party apps that offer live wallpapers — but stick to reputable ones. You can also use custom images stored in your Photos or Files app.

How do I set an image from the internet as my lock screen?

Simple! Save the image to your Photos first. Tap the Share button on the picture and select Save Image. Then, follow the usual steps: Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. Your saved image will be ready and waiting.

Can I change the layout of the lock screen?

Not really — the basic layout is set, but you can control what notifications appear. Head to Settings > Notifications to customise how they show up — options include Count or List. Plus, if you’ve got a newer iOS version, you can add or remove widgets directly on the lock screen — just tap Edit.

How do I revert to an old wallpaper?

If you want to go back to a previous wallpaper, check if it’s still saved in your Photos or in the default wallpaper section (Settings > Wallpaper > All Wallpapers). You can select any past image, or if you want an Apple default, re-open the Choose a New Wallpaper menu and pick from their collection.

The Quick Wrap-Up on Lock Screen Customisation

Open Settings.
Tap on Wallpaper.
Select “Choose a New Wallpaper” to browse options.
Pick something that catches your eye.
Tap Set and choose Set Lock Screen.