iPhone doesn't have a traditional screen saver, but you can customize your lock screen instead
iPhones stopped using screen savers years ago. Instead, your lock screen — the display you see when your phone is locked — is what appears when your device isn't in use. You can change how it looks by choosing a wallpaper, adding widgets, and adjusting the clock style and color. The lock screen customization options vary slightly depending on whether you have an iPhone 14 or newer (which offers the most features) or an older model.
If you're looking for moving images or animations, iOS doesn't offer traditional screen savers, but you can set a live wallpaper that moves when you tap or interact with your lock screen. This gives a similar visual effect to what screen savers provided on older devices.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then select Add New Wallpaper to choose from built-in options or your photo library.
- iPhone 14 and newer models let you customize the clock font, color, and add widgets directly to your lock screen.
- Live wallpapers move and respond to touch, creating an animated effect similar to traditional screen savers.
- You can create multiple lock screen profiles and switch between them by long-pressing the lock screen itself.
How to change your lock screen wallpaper
Start by opening the Settings app and scrolling down to find Wallpaper. Tap it, then select Add New Wallpaper. You'll see several categories: Featured, Collections, Dynamic, Stills, and Live. Choose whichever type appeals to you — Featured shows Apple's current recommendations, Collections groups wallpapers by theme, and Live wallpapers animate when you interact with them.
Once you pick a wallpaper, you'll see a preview. Tap Set to choose whether this wallpaper applies to your lock screen, home screen, or both. If you want different images for each, you can set them separately. After confirming, your lock screen updates immediately.
Customizing the clock on your lock screen (iPhone 14 and newer)
If you have an iPhone 14, 15, or 16, you can change the clock's appearance directly on your lock screen. Long-press your current lock screen to enter edit mode, then tap the clock area. A menu appears with different font styles — you can choose from options like Rounded, Monospaced, and Serif.
You can also change the clock's color by tapping the color wheel icon. Select any shade you want, and it will apply to both the time and any widgets you've added. This customization is one of the biggest differences between newer iPhones and older models, which don't offer these options.
Adding widgets to your lock screen
Widgets on your lock screen show information at a glance — weather, calendar events, fitness rings, or reminders — without unlocking your phone. To add them, long-press your lock screen and tap the plus icon at the bottom. Select an app from the list, then choose which widget you want to display.
Not all apps offer lock screen widgets. Common ones include Weather, Calendar, Reminders, Fitness, News, and Clock. You can add multiple widgets, but space is limited. On iPhone 14 and newer, you can place widgets around the clock. On older models with lock screen customization, widget placement is more restricted.
Using live wallpapers for animated effects
Live wallpapers move and respond when you tap or interact with your lock screen, creating an animated effect. To use one, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, then select the Live category. Options include animated nature scenes, abstract patterns, and interactive designs that react to your touch.
Keep in mind that live wallpapers use slightly more battery than static images because they're constantly animating. If battery life is a concern, you can switch back to a still wallpaper at any time. The live wallpaper effect only plays when you're looking at your lock screen — it stops once you unlock your phone.
Creating and switching between multiple lock screens
You can create several different lock screen designs and switch between them. Long-press your current lock screen to enter edit mode, then swipe left to see other lock screens you've created. Tap the plus icon to add a new one. Each lock screen can have its own wallpaper, clock style, color, and widgets.
To switch between them, long-press your lock screen and swipe through the options, then tap the one you want to use. This is useful if you want different looks for different times of day or different moods. You can also set a lock screen to appear automatically at certain times using Focus modes.
Older iPhone models and lock screen options
If you have an iPhone 13 or earlier, your lock screen customization is more limited. You can change the wallpaper and add a few widgets, but you cannot customize the clock's font or color. The clock remains in the default style at the top of your screen.
Even on older models, you can still use live wallpapers and static images. The process is the same: Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper. The main difference is that older iPhones don't let you adjust the visual appearance of the time display itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own photos as a lock screen wallpaper?
Yes. In Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, scroll down and tap Photos. Select any image from your library. You can crop it to fit your screen before confirming. This works on all iPhone models.
Why does my lock screen look different after I set it?
The preview in Settings may not show exactly how the wallpaper looks on your actual lock screen due to the clock and widgets overlaying it. Long-press your lock screen to see the real result and make adjustments if needed.
Do live wallpapers drain my battery faster?
Live wallpapers use slightly more power than static images because they animate continuously. The difference is usually small, but if you're concerned about battery life, switching to a still wallpaper will help.
Can I set different lock screens for different times of day?
Yes, but only on iPhone 14 and newer. Create multiple lock screens, then use Focus modes to set which one appears at specific times. For example, you can set a Work lock screen to appear during business hours and a Personal one in the evening.
What's the difference between a live wallpaper and a dynamic wallpaper?
Dynamic wallpapers change appearance based on the time of day — they might show sunrise, noon, or sunset scenes. Live wallpapers animate and respond to touch. Both are available in the Wallpaper settings under their respective categories.