How to Change and Customize iPhone Wallpaper in iOS 17
iOS 17 transformed iPhone wallpapers from a single static image into a fully customizable system. You can now create multiple lock screens, pair them with different home screens, rotate photos automatically, and even connect wallpapers to Focus modes.
In this guide, we’ll walk through every major wallpaper feature in iOS 17 — from basic photo wallpapers to advanced options like Depth Effect, Photo Shuffle, widgets, and Focus-based automation.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
How to change wallpaper using iPhone Settings
How to create multiple Lock Screen wallpapers
How to customize fonts, colors, and widgets
How Depth Effect works and its limitations
How to customize the Home Screen separately
How to use Photo Shuffle and custom albums
How to delete wallpapers properly
How to link wallpapers to Focus modes
🖼️ Understanding iPhone Wallpapers in iOS 17
In iOS 17, wallpapers are no longer just background images. Each wallpaper is a complete configuration that includes:
Lock Screen design
Home Screen background
Font style and color
Widgets
Optional Focus mode link
You can create multiple wallpapers and switch between them instantly from the Lock Screen.
⚙️ Changing Wallpaper from iPhone Settings
One way to manage wallpapers is directly through Settings.
Steps:
Open Settings
Tap Wallpaper
Swipe through existing wallpapers
Tap Add New Wallpaper to create a new one
This view lets you see all existing wallpapers, but deletion must be done from the Lock Screen.
📸 Setting a Single Photo as Wallpaper
To use a single photo:
Choose Photos when adding a new wallpaper
Browse or search your photo library
Select a photo
Pinch to crop and reposition
You can swipe through available styles depending on the image and adjust the layout before saving.
🎨 Customizing Lock Screen Fonts and Colors
You can fully customize how the time and date appear on the Lock Screen.
Options include:
Multiple font styles
Adjustable font thickness
Color presets
Full color picker for custom colors
These changes affect only the Lock Screen and can be different for each wallpaper
🧩 Adding Widgets to the Lock Screen
Lock Screen widgets provide quick access to information.
Available widgets depend on installed apps and may include:
Weather
Battery status
Calendar
Health data
Widgets are placed in fixed positions and cannot be freely rearranged. Adding widgets disables Depth Effect.
🧍 Depth Effect on iPhone Wallpaper
Depth Effect places the subject of a photo in front of the clock, creating a layered look.
Important limitations:
Works primarily with people and some pets
Not all photos support it
Filters and styles vary by image
Depth Effect is disabled when widgets are added
This feature depends on subject separation in the photo.
🏠 Customizing the Home Screen Wallpaper
You can customize the Home Screen separately from the Lock Screen.
Options include:
Matching the Lock Screen image
Using a blurred version
Selecting a solid color
Choosing a gradient
Picking a completely different photo
This helps improve app visibility while keeping the Lock Screen visually rich.
🖼️ Setting Wallpaper Directly from Photos
You can also set a wallpaper directly from the Photos app.
Steps:
Open a photo
Tap Share
Select Use as Wallpaper
This uses the same customization tools but may offer fewer style and Depth Effect options depending on the image.
🗑️ Deleting an iPhone Wallpaper
Wallpapers cannot be deleted from Settings.
To delete a wallpaper:
Lock your iPhone
Touch and hold the Lock Screen
Swipe to the wallpaper
Swipe up
Tap Delete
This permanently removes the wallpaper configuration.
🔄 Using Photo Shuffle Wallpaper
Photo Shuffle rotates multiple photos automatically.
You can choose:
People
Pets
Nature
Custom albums
Manually selected photos
Shuffle frequency options include:
On tap
On lock
Hourly
Daily
This creates a dynamic Lock Screen that changes over time.
😀 Emoji Wallpaper Options
Emoji wallpapers allow up to six emojis per wallpaper.
You can:
Choose emojis
Change layout styles
Adjust background colors
Customize fonts and colors
These are especially popular for fun or kid-friendly setups.
💼 Creative Business Use for Wallpapers
Wallpapers can be used creatively for professional purposes.
Examples include:
QR codes linking to a website
Digital business cards
Branded visuals for networking
Switching wallpapers makes this quick and practical.
🎯 Linking Focus Modes to Wallpapers
Each wallpaper can be linked to a Focus mode.
This allows:
Automatic notification filtering
Different wallpapers for Work, Personal, or Custom Focuses
Visual indicators when Focus mode is active
Focus-linked wallpapers can also sync with Apple Watch.
