How to Delete Wallpapers on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Remove Wallpapers from Your iPhone for a Cleaner Look
Looking to give your iPhone a fresh new vibe? It’s easier than you might think. If clutter’s starting to annoy you, changing or even deleting wallpapers can really tidy things up. Now, can you delete those default wallpapers from Apple? Unfortunately not. But you can swap them out for something else or go for a simple, plain background—no worries there.
Removing iPhone Wallpapers – Here’s How
Start by opening the trusty Settings app (you know, the one with the gear icon). Scroll down until you see Wallpaper. It’s like a little gallery showing your current Lock Screen and Home Screen backgrounds. If you want to get there quickly, tap Settings on the home screen or swipe down and search for “Wallpaper”—easy as.
Once you’re in the Wallpaper settings, tap on Choose a New Wallpaper. This will show you a selection of Apple’s stock images or your own photos. Here’s where you can easily change your wallpaper—it’s a quick switch.
To switch things up, tap on your current wallpaper and swipe left for different options. While you can’t delete the default wallpapers, you can replace them with something else or pick a neutral colour. If you want a minimal look, choosing a plain shade like grey or white works a treat.
After selecting your new background, tap Set. And voilà! Your iPhone will update the wallpaper on whatever screen you chose.
Extra Tips for Managing Your Wallpapers
Want to try out different looks? Staying organised makes things much easier. Creating a dedicated album for your wallpapers means you can pick your favourites quickly—no endless scrolling.
If you’re using Live Photos or those animated wallpapers, bear in mind they can drain your battery faster. Static images are usually better for conserving power. And for freeing up space, you can delete unused wallpapers from your Photos app—just open Photos, go to Albums, then Recently Deleted to permanently remove images you no longer want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently remove the default wallpapers?
Not quite. Those are built into the system and can’t be deleted. But you can hide or cover them up by swapping in new backgrounds.
What happens after I change my wallpaper?
The old one stays in your Photos app unless you delete it—just tap the image and select Delete Photo to get rid of it.
Can I recover a wallpaper after deleting it?
Yes, if it’s a personal photo. Check your Photos app under Recents or Albums. If it’s a stock wallpaper, just go back to Settings > Wallpaper and select a different one.
Does changing wallpapers slow down my iPhone?
Not at all. Changing your wallpaper is purely cosmetic and won’t impact performance.
How often should I change my wallpaper?
That’s entirely up to you. Feel free to swap it whenever you like or keep a collection of favourites ready to go.
Wrapping It Up
To change your wallpaper, head to Settings, tap Wallpaper, choose your preferred image, and tap Set. For a cleaner look, either pick a new background or stick with a simple colour. It’s a quick way to give your iPhone a fresh, personalised touch.
Make Your iPhone Truly Yours
Swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen and type “Wallpaper”.
While you’re at it, why not explore other ways to personalise your device? Adjust your ringtone, organise app icons—make your iPhone uniquely yours and enjoy the process!