iOS 16 adds a bunch of new options for setting your Wallpaper and customizing your lock screen, with the ability to pick dynamic astronomy and weather backgrounds, emoji art, photo album shuffles, add widgets, and more.
But one thing that isn’t so easy anymore is to set a different wallpaper photo for your home screen and lock screen.
Here’s how to do it.
The new iOS 16 wallpaper system encourages you to set the same Wallpaper for your lock screen and home screen.
It is the default behaviour when setting a new wallpaper, and there is some reason for it.
iOS uses special transitions from the lock screen to the home screen when the two match.
For instance, the Earth on the Astronomy wallpaper rotates forward as you swipe to unlock.
However, it is possible if you want to have different images for the photo on your lock screen and the photo behind your app icons. It just might not be super obvious.
How to change Wallpaper for the first time after upgrading to iOS 16
After you upgrade to iOS 16 for the first time, your Wallpaper will be in a legacy mode.
This method does not support iOS 16 and later configuration features. So, before making any changes, you will first need to make a brand-new wallpaper.
From Settings -> Wallpaper, you can press Add New Wallpaper. Or from the lock screen, long-press on display to enter the Gallery and tap the blue + button. Then, follow the instructions below.
How to set a different photo for your lock screen and home screen
- If you haven’t made a new wallpaper, go to Settings -> Wallpaper, and press Add New Wallpaper. You can also do this by long-pressing on the lock screen to enter the Lock Screen Gallery and pressing the blue Add button.
- Tap the Photos button at the top of the Gallery. Select a photo to use for the lock screen. Customize the lock screen further if you want to.
- Tap Add in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, when the panel appears, select Customize Home Screen button.
- In this view, you can choose how you want your home screen to differ. You can make it show a colour gradient, blur out the lock screen content, or choose a different photo altogether. To do this, tap the Photos button.
- Select a new photo. Optionally enable the Blur effect. Then, tap Done in the top-right of the screen.
- That’s it. You now have a different lock screen and home screen photo set up.
