iPhone doesn't have a traditional screensaver like older computers

When your iPhone screen goes dark after a few minutes of no use, that's not a screensaver — it's the display turning off to save battery. iPhones haven't used screensavers since the early models. What you can change instead is what appears on your lock screen (the screen you see when you pick up your phone) and your home screen (where your apps live). Both let you set custom images, and the lock screen offers additional options like widgets and custom fonts.

The confusion happens because the term "screensaver" stuck around from desktop computers, where it originally prevented screen burn-in by showing moving images when the computer wasn't in use. Your iPhone's display technology doesn't need that protection, so Apple replaced the concept with customizable lock screens that show information you actually want to see.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones display a lock screen when powered on but not in use, and you can customize it with photos, colors, or Apple's built-in designs.
  • You change your lock screen by opening Settings, tapping Display & Brightness, then Lock Screen, and selecting a style or uploading a photo.
  • Your home screen background is separate from your lock screen and requires a different process: open a photo, tap Share, then Set as Wallpaper.
  • iOS 16 and newer let you add widgets and customize fonts on your lock screen, giving you more control than older iPhone versions.
  • Both lock screen and home screen changes take effect when ready and don't affect how your phone runs or its battery life.

How to change your lock screen on iPhone

Open the Settings app (the gray icon with gears). Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. Then tap Lock Screen. You'll see a preview of your current lock screen at the top and options below it.

If you want to use one of Apple's built-in designs, tap one of the colored or patterned options shown. You can customize the color, add widgets that show weather or calendar information, or change the font style and size of the time display. Tap Customize to make these changes, then tap Set as Lock Screen when you're done.

If you want to use your own photo, tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the Lock Screen settings. Choose a photo from your library or take a new one. You can crop it and adjust how much of the photo shows behind the time. Tap Add and then Set as Lock Screen to save it.

How to change your home screen background

Your home screen background is the image that appears behind your app icons. To change it, open the Photos app and find a photo you want to use. Tap the photo to open it, then tap the Share button (it looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of it). Scroll down and tap Set as Wallpaper.

A menu will appear asking whether you want to set it as your lock screen, home screen, or both. Choose Home Screen. You'll see a preview showing how the image will look behind your app icons. Tap Set to confirm. If you don't like how it looks, you can repeat this process with a different photo — there's no limit to how many times you can change it.

Some people choose a darker image for their home screen so app icons are easier to read. Others prefer bright or colorful images. The choice is entirely yours and won't affect how your phone works.

What happens when you set both a lock screen and home screen background

You can have different images on your lock screen and home screen, or the same image on both. When you pick up your phone, you see the lock screen first. Once you unlock it, you see the home screen. Changing one doesn't automatically change the other — you have to set them separately.

If you want the same image on both, you can set it as both during the process. If you want different images, just repeat the steps for each screen with a different photo. Your phone remembers both settings independently.

Using Apple's built-in lock screen styles

If you don't want to use your own photos, Apple includes several pre-made lock screen designs. These include solid colors, gradients, nature photography, and abstract patterns. You can access them in Settings > Display & Brightness > Lock Screen by tapping any of the preview options shown.

Many of these designs let you adjust the color or add widgets without needing to upload a photo. For example, the color options let you pick from dozens of shades, and you can change the time font to match your preference. These built-in options are useful if you want a clean, straightforward look without managing your own image files.

Why your iPhone doesn't have a moving screensaver

Modern iPhones use LED and OLED displays that don't suffer from screen burn-in the way older CRT monitors did. A screensaver that moves around the screen would actually drain your battery faster without providing any benefit. Instead, your iPhone straightforward turns off the display after a set time (usually 30 seconds to a few minutes, depending on your settings) to save power.

If you want your lock screen to show information while your phone is sitting on a table, you can enable the Always-On Display feature on newer iPhones (iPhone 14 Pro and later). This keeps the lock screen visible at a low brightness level, showing the time, date, and any widgets you've added. You can turn this on in Settings > Display & Brightness > Always-On Display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my lock screen?

No. iPhones only support still photos for lock screens and home screens. You can use any photo from your library, but not videos or animated GIFs. If you want movement on your lock screen, the Always-On Display feature on newer iPhones can show live widgets like weather or activity rings that update in real time.

Will changing my lock screen or home screen affect my battery life?

No. Changing your background image has no impact on battery life. The only exception is if you enable the Always-On Display feature, which keeps your screen slightly lit at all times and uses a small amount of extra battery power.

What if I want to go back to the default Apple lock screen?

Open Settings > Display & Brightness > Lock Screen and tap one of the built-in Apple designs at the top. You can also choose a solid color or gradient. There's no "reset to default" button, but the straightforward color options are Apple's standard look.

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

Yes, on iOS 16 and newer. You can create multiple lock screen styles in Settings > Display & Brightness > Lock Screen and switch between them manually, or use Focus modes to automatically change your lock screen when you switch between Work, Personal, or other modes you've created.