How do I change my phone's wallpaper and lock screen?

Changing your phone's wallpaper and lock screen is a simple process that varies slightly between Android and iPhone devices. You can customise these backgrounds independently, using built-in options or your own images. The process typically involves accessing your phone's settings or using the long-press method on your home screen. This guide covers the most common questions about personalising your mobile device's appearance.

What's the difference between wallpaper and lock screen backgrounds?

Wallpaper and lock screen backgrounds are separate customisation options that control different parts of your phone's visual experience. Your wallpaper appears on your home screen behind your app icons, while your lock screen background displays when your phone is locked and you wake the screen.

Most modern smartphones allow you to set different images for each screen. This means you can have a bright, colourful wallpaper for your home screen while choosing a darker lock screen background that's easier on your eyes when checking notifications. The lock screen background often supports additional features like widgets, notifications, and quick access controls.

On Samsung devices, you'll find these options clearly separated in the wallpaper settings, giving you complete control over your phone personalisation. The lock screen customisation options are particularly robust, allowing you to adjust clock styles, notification displays, and even add interactive elements.

How do you change wallpaper on Android phones?

Android phones offer multiple methods for changing wallpapers, with the settings menu and long-press method being the most common approaches. You can access built-in wallpaper collections or use your own photos from the gallery.

Quick Method: Long-Press Approach

1. Long-press an empty area on your home screen
2. Select “Wallpapers” from the menu that appears
3. Browse categories like “My photos,” “Live wallpapers,” or manufacturer collections
4. Preview and apply your chosen wallpaper

Settings Menu Method

1. Navigate to Settings → Display → Wallpaper (path may vary by manufacturer)
2. Access comprehensive wallpaper settings
3. Set different images for home screen and lock screen
4. Use cropping and positioning tools for perfect placement

Samsung users will find additional customisation options through the Galaxy Themes app, which provides exclusive wallpapers and complete theme packages. When selecting a wallpaper, you can preview how it looks on both screens before applying.

How do you customise your iPhone's wallpaper and lock screen?

iPhone wallpaper customisation happens through the Settings app, where you can set different images for your lock screen and home screen. iOS also supports Live Photos as dynamic wallpapers that respond to touch.

Step-by-Step iPhone Wallpaper Setup

iOS 16 and later versions offer enhanced lock screen customisation, allowing you to create multiple lock screen setups with different wallpapers, widgets, and fonts. You can switch between these configurations by long-pressing your lock screen and swiping through your collection.

Where can you find the best wallpapers for your phone?

The best phone wallpapers come from your device's built-in collections, official manufacturer apps, and carefully selected third-party applications that offer high-quality, properly sized images for mobile screens.

Built-in Sources

• Default collections: Images optimised for your specific device resolution
• Samsung Galaxy Themes: Curated wallpapers for Samsung devices
• iPhone Dynamic/Live collections: Interactive and animated backgrounds

Third-Party Applications

• Zedge: Extensive collection with style and theme categories
• Walli: Artist-created wallpapers with high quality
• Backdrops: Curated collections by category and colour

Web Sources

• Photography websites with high-resolution images
• Wallpaper-specific sites with mobile-optimised content
• Always verify image resolution matches your phone's screen

Why won't my custom wallpaper fit properly on my screen?

Wallpaper fitting issues typically result from aspect ratio mismatches or resolution problems between your chosen image and your phone's screen dimensions. Most phones automatically crop images, but this doesn't always produce the desired result.

Common Aspect Ratio Issues

Solutions for Better Wallpaper Fitting

1. Use built-in cropping tools: Pinch to zoom and drag to reposition during setup
2. Pre-edit images: Resize photos to your phone's exact dimensions
3. Preview both screens: Check appearance on lock screen and home screen
4. Consider interface elements: Account for clock, notifications, and app icons

Some images appear differently on the lock screen versus the home screen due to interface elements. If text or important image elements get obscured, try repositioning the image or choosing a different photo that works better with your phone's interface layout.

Personalising your phone's appearance through wallpaper settings and lock screen customisation remains one of the simplest ways to make your device truly yours. Whether you prefer built-in collections or your own photos, understanding these customisation options helps you create a mobile experience that reflects your style. At SamMobile, we regularly cover the latest wallpaper features and customisation options across Samsung's device lineup to help you make the most of your phone's personalisation capabilities.