iOS 16 introduced a much-needed overhaul to the iPhone’s lock screen, offering new customization options. With iOS 17, the experience gets even better, bringing features like a lock screen wallpaper gallery, depth effect for wallpapers, widgets, and more handy tools.
These fresh customization options open up countless ways to personalize your iPhone’s lock screen. Wallpapers and widgets are some of the easiest elements to start customizing, and many users have embraced these new features, creating unique lock screen combinations.
However, if you’ve been experimenting with these customization features and now find your lock screen wallpaper gallery cluttered with outdated designs, don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete wallpapers on your iPhone.
Just a quick clarification: we’re not talking about the stock iOS 16 wallpapers but the custom wallpaper combinations you’ve created manually.
How to Delete Wallpapers on iPhone
If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 16, iOS 17, or a newer version, you can easily remove wallpapers from your lock screen. Unfortunately, if you’re on an older iOS version, this feature won’t be available. The best part is that you don’t need any third-party apps to do this—everything can be managed directly from the lock screen gallery.
Here’s how to delete a lock screen wallpaper:
- Unlock your iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID (Note: you can’t access the wallpaper gallery with a passcode).
- Tap and hold an empty area on your lock screen.
- Swipe left or right to browse through your lock screen wallpapers and find the one you want to remove.
- Once you’ve found the wallpaper, swipe up on it.
- Tap the Remote icon to delete this wallpaper combination from your iPhone. (This method works similarly to removing watch faces on the Apple Watch.)
- Select Delete this Wallpaper to confirm.
And that’s it!
While iOS 17 is set to be released to the public, currently, there’s no way to delete multiple wallpapers at once. Instead, you’ll need to remove them individually by going through each screen.
With iOS 16 and iOS 17, Apple has given iPhone users more control over customizing their lock screens. Whether you like to switch up your wallpapers, add widgets, or explore other options, this guide helps you keep your lock screen clean and organized.
Deleting Wallpapers on Windows 10/11: A Quick Fix
For those who prefer Windows laptops and desktops, deleting a wallpaper involves slightly different steps. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or the latest Windows 11, here’s how to do it:
1. Right-Click on Your Desktop
Start by right-clicking anywhere on your desktop screen.
2. Select Personalize
From the right-click menu, click on ‘Personalize’. This will open up the settings for your display.
3. Choose Background
In the Personalization settings, select ‘Background’ from the left panel.
4. Select a New Background
You’ll now be able to select a new wallpaper. If you’d like to remove the wallpaper completely, choose one of the default solid color options.
How to Delete a Wallpaper on macOS
If you use macOS on your Apple computer, deleting a wallpaper is a smooth process. Let’s take a look at how you can do it.
1. Click on the Apple Icon
In the top-left corner of your screen, click the Apple icon.
2. Open System Preferences
From the dropdown menu, select ‘System Preferences’.
3. Go to Desktop & Screen Saver
Once you’re in System Preferences, click on ‘Desktop & Screen Saver’.
4. Choose a New Wallpaper
To remove your current wallpaper, select ‘Solid Colors’ from the list, and pick a color of your choice. Or, choose a different image to refresh your look.
Alternative Ways to Delete Wallpapers Across Devices
Sometimes, deleting a wallpaper can be done through third-party apps or software, especially if you want more control over your customization. Many apps allow you to browse and remove images, making it easy to manage your collection.
For instance, apps like Zedge and Walli let you manage your wallpapers, including deleting unwanted ones directly through the app.
If you’re tired of seeing old wallpapers that don’t resonate with you anymore, these apps are perfect for discovering new ones. Just don’t forget to delete the ones you no longer need!
Why Is It Important to Delete Old Wallpapers?
You might be wondering, “Why should I go through all this trouble?” Well, for starters, removing outdated or irrelevant wallpapers can actually improve your device’s performance. Over time, large image files can consume valuable storage space. By deleting the ones you don’t need, you can free up some much-needed storage for other essential files.
Not to mention, constantly updating your wallpaper can give your device a personalized touch that reflects your current mood or interests. It’s a small change, but one that can make a huge difference in your user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete lock screen wallpapers on iPhones with iOS 15 or older?
No, the ability to delete lock screen wallpapers is only available on iPhones running iOS 16, iOS 17, or newer versions. If your iPhone is on an older iOS version, you won’t be able to delete the wallpapers.
Do I need a third-party app to remove wallpapers from my iPhone’s lock screen?
No, you don’t need any third-party apps. You can delete lock screen wallpapers directly from the built-in lock screen gallery without any additional software.
How can I access the wallpaper gallery to delete wallpapers?
To access the wallpaper gallery, unlock your iPhone with Face ID or Touch ID. Then, tap and hold on an empty area of the lock screen to enter the wallpaper gallery and swipe left or right to find the wallpaper you want to remove.
Can I delete multiple lock screen wallpapers at once?
Unfortunately, as of now, iOS 16 and iOS 17 don’t support deleting multiple wallpapers at once. You must manually delete each wallpaper one by one by swiping up on the screen and tapping the delete option.
What happens when I delete a wallpaper from the lock screen?
Deleting a lock screen wallpaper removes that specific wallpaper setup, including any widgets or customizations associated with it. The wallpaper will no longer appear on your iPhone, but it won’t affect other settings or wallpapers.
conclusion
Deleting lock screen wallpapers on iPhones running iOS 16 and iOS 17 is a simple and straightforward process that gives you more control over your device’s customization. With just a few taps, you can easily remove unwanted wallpapers from your lock screen without the need for any third-party apps. While you can only delete wallpapers one at a time for now, this feature enhances your ability to personalize your iPhone’s appearance. Whether you’re decluttering your lock screen or just changing things up, these iOS updates offer an easy way to manage your lock screen wallpapers and maintain a fresh, organized look.
