iPhones don't have a traditional screen saver — here's what you can change instead

iPhones stopped using screen savers years ago. Instead, your phone locks automatically after a set time, and what you see on that lock screen is customizable. You can change the image, the clock style, the widgets that appear, and the colors — all without installing anything or paying for an app. The process takes about two minutes and lives in your Settings app under Display & Brightness or Lock Screen, depending on your iOS version.

If you're looking for moving images or animations that play when your phone is idle, that's not how iPhones work. But you can set a live wallpaper (a still image with subtle motion), create a custom lock screen with your own photo, or use one of Apple's built-in designs. The lock screen is what appears when you first pick up your phone; the home screen is what you see after you unlock it. Both can be changed separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness or Lock Screen, and select Customize to change your lock screen image, clock style, and widgets.
  • You can use your own photos, Apple's built-in wallpapers, or live wallpapers that have subtle motion effects.
  • The home screen wallpaper (what you see after unlocking) is changed separately through Settings > Wallpaper.
  • Different lock screens can be linked to different Focus modes, so your phone shows different designs depending on whether you're at work or home.

How to change your lock screen in iOS 16 and later

Press and hold your lock screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap Customize. You'll see options to change the wallpaper, the clock font and color, and which widgets appear above and below the time. Tap the wallpaper preview at the top to choose a new image — you can pick from Apple's collection, use a photo from your library, or select a live wallpaper.

Once you've chosen an image, you can adjust how the clock looks by tapping the clock itself. Change the font, size, and color. Then tap the plus icon to add widgets (like weather, calendar, or reminders) that show information without you having to unlock your phone. When you're done, tap Set as Lock Screen at the bottom.

If you want multiple lock screens for different times of day or situations, create a new one by tapping the plus icon in the bottom left of the lock screen customization screen. You can set each one to set up automatically with a Focus mode — for example, a work lock screen that appears during business hours, or a home lock screen for evenings.

How to change your lock screen in iOS 15 and earlier

Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. Select either Dynamic, Stills, Live, or Collections. Pick an image, then tap Set. You'll see two options: Set Lock Screen or Set Home Screen. Choose Set Lock Screen. This method gives you less control over widgets and clock style than newer iOS versions, but the process is simpler.

If you're on iOS 15, you cannot link lock screens to Focus modes or customize the clock appearance. You get one lock screen for your entire phone. If you want to change it again, repeat the same steps.

Using your own photos as a lock screen

Open Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper, then tap Photos. Select the album where your photo is stored, then tap the image you want. On iOS 16 and later, you can adjust how the photo appears by moving it around or changing the blur and color filter. Tap Add to add widgets if you want them, then Set as Lock Screen.

Portrait photos work best because they're taller and fill the screen without cropping. Landscape photos will be cropped at the top and bottom. If your photo has important details at the edges, take a new portrait-oriented photo or use the crop tool in the Photos app before setting it as your wallpaper.

Understanding live wallpapers and animated options

Live wallpapers are still images with subtle motion — they're not full animations or videos. When you set a live wallpaper, the image shifts slightly or has a gentle effect when you press and hold your lock screen or when your phone is charging. Apple offers live wallpapers with themes like Earth, nature, and abstract designs.

To use a live wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper, then select Live. Pick the design you want and tap Set as Lock Screen. Live wallpapers use slightly more battery than static images, but the difference is minimal on modern iPhones.

Changing your home screen wallpaper separately

Your home screen (the grid of apps you see after unlocking) can have a different wallpaper than your lock screen. Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper, select your image, and tap Set Home Screen instead of Set Lock Screen. You can also do this by long-pressing an empty area of your home screen, tapping Wallpaper, and selecting a new image.

Many people set a darker or more subtle image for their home screen so app icons are easier to read, and a more visually interesting image for their lock screen since it's the first thing you see. You can change them independently as often as you want.

Troubleshooting common lock screen problems

If you can't find the Customize option, you're likely on iOS 15 or earlier, which doesn't support custom lock screens with widgets. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

If your photo appears cropped or blurry, try a portrait-oriented image instead of landscape. If widgets aren't showing on your lock screen, make sure you added them during customization — some widgets don't support lock screen display. If your lock screen keeps reverting to the default, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or GIF as my lock screen wallpaper?

No. iPhones only support still images and live wallpapers (which are static images with subtle motion effects). You cannot set a video, GIF, or animated file as your lock screen or home screen wallpaper. Live wallpapers are the closest option if you want motion.

Will changing my lock screen wallpaper affect my home screen?

Not automatically. Your lock screen and home screen are separate. If you set only a lock screen wallpaper, your home screen keeps its current wallpaper. You have to change them separately if you want both to be different.

Can I schedule different lock screens for different times of day?

Yes, on iOS 16 and later. Create multiple lock screens, then link each one to a Focus mode (like Work or Sleep). Your phone will automatically switch lock screens when that Focus activates. Go to Settings > Focus, select a Focus mode, and tap Lock Screen to assign a wallpaper to it.

Why does my lock screen look different on my iPhone than my friend's?

You might be on different iOS versions. iOS 16 and later have customizable lock screens with widgets and clock styles. iOS 15 and earlier have simpler lock screen options. Also, your friend might have set a different wallpaper or Focus mode that's currently active.

Does using a live wallpaper drain my battery faster?

Live wallpapers use slightly more battery than static images, but the difference is negligible on modern iPhones. If battery life is a concern, use a static image instead, but don't expect a noticeable improvement.