Okay, let's clear this up right away: iPhones don't have "screen savers" like your old computer did. That term throws people off constantly. What you're probably looking for is how to change what shows up on your iPhone's screen when it's locked. That's your Lock Screen. Basically, it's Apple's version of a screen saver.
I remember scratching my head over this myself when I first switched to iPhone years ago. I kept digging in settings for "screen saver" and came up empty. Took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure out it was all about the Lock Screen customization. Frustrating? A bit. But once you know where to look, it's dead simple.
Why You Can't Find "Screen Saver" in iPhone Settings
Technically, traditional screen savers were designed to prevent "burn-in" on old CRT monitors. iPhones use OLED/LCD screens that don't really need that. Instead:
| What You Want | iPhone Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Changing screen saver | Customizing Lock Screen wallpaper & widgets |
| Screen saver activation timing | Auto-Lock settings (Settings > Display & Brightness) |
| Always-on display (like some Androids) | Always On Display (iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max & 15 Pro/Pro Max only) |
Just last week my neighbor asked me "how do I change screen saver on iPhone 13?" and I had to explain this exact thing. She thought her phone was missing a feature. Nope – it just works differently.
Changing Your Lock Screen (The Real "Screen Saver"): Step-by-Step
Quick Method: The Press & Hold
Swipe right on your Lock Screen. Sounds weird? Try it.
- Wake your iPhone (tap screen or press side button)
- Press and hold any blank area on the Lock Screen
- Tap the big blue + button that appears
Bam. You're in the customization zone. Took me ages to discover this when iOS 16 launched. Apple didn't exactly advertise it well.
Full Step-by-Step Walkthrough
- Wake your iPhone (but don't unlock it)
- Press and hold the Lock Screen until it zooms out slightly and you see "Customize" at the bottom
- Choose Customize Current Wallpaper (to edit what you have) or tap the + to create a brand new one
- Now you get three main tabs:
| Gallery | Choose photos from your library, or swipe through Apple's curated collections (Weather, Astronomy, Emoji, etc.) |
| Filters | Swipe left/right on your chosen photo to apply different color filters (B&W, Dramatic, Vibrant) |
| Widgets | Tap the time area to change font/color. Tap below time to add widgets (battery, calendar, weather). |
Pro Tip: Hate how widgets clutter your nice photo? Add them anyway, then tap and HOLD a widget until it jiggles, then tap the - minus sign to remove it. Clean look achieved.
After you finish tweaking, tap Done in the top right corner. Your new Lock Screen is active immediately.
Always On Display: The Closest Thing to a True Screen Saver (iPhone 14 Pro/15 Pro Only)
If you've got one of the newer Pro models, this is where it gets interesting. The Always On Display (AOD) shows info constantly, dimly. Changing what it shows is crucial for true "how to change screen saver on iphone" functionality.
Turning AOD On/Off
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness
- Scroll down to Always On
- Toggle Always On on or off
Controlling What Shows on AOD
| Setting | Location | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Show Wallpaper | Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On | Toggling OFF hides your photo, showing only a black background with time/widgets |
| Show Notifications | Same as above | Choose whether notifications appear on the dimmed screen |
| Widget Visibility | Customize Lock Screen (press & hold) | Widgets added to main Lock Screen automatically appear on AOD unless hidden |
Frankly, I find the AOD a bit of a battery hog on my 14 Pro. I turn it off when traveling. Your mileage may vary.
Beyond Basics: Advanced Lock Screen Customization
Creating Multiple Lock Screens
You're not limited to one! Swipe left/right on your Lock Screen after pressing/holding to see existing ones. Tap the + to add more. You can tie different Lock Screens to different Focus modes too.
Weather & Astronomy Live Wallpapers
These are seriously cool. When setting wallpaper:
- Swipe to Weather backdrop - Shows live rain/snow animations and current conditions
- Swipe to Earth, Moon, or Solar System - Shows real-time planetary positions
Annoyance warning: The Earth one drains battery noticeably faster in my experience. Pretty, but costly.
Dynamic Widgets You'll Actually Use
Stop adding junk. Here are genuinely useful Lock Screen widgets:
| Battery | See your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch battery at a glance |
| Weather | Current temp AND conditions (rain/sun icons) |
| Calendar | Shows next appointment immediately |
| Activity Rings | Motivational for closing those rings |
| Stocks | Keep an eye on key stocks |
Common Problems & Fixes When Changing Your "Screen Saver"
Wallpaper Won't Change
- Restart your iPhone: Seriously, just do it. Fixes 80% of glitches.
- Check iOS version: Lock Screen overhaul requires iOS 16 or later. Update in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Disable Perspective Zoom: Sometimes this setting conflicts. When customizing, tap the three-dot menu and turn OFF Perspective Zoom.
Widgets Not Updating
Background App Refresh is KEY. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure it's ON for apps powering your widgets (Weather, Calendar, Fitness, etc.).
Always On Display Not Working
- Low Power Mode kills AOD: Check Settings > Battery. Turn Low Power Mode off.
- iPhone face down or in pocket: Sensors automatically turn AOD off.
- Sleep Focus: AOD might be disabled during scheduled Sleep Focus. Check Settings > Focus > Sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to Change Screen Saver iPhone)
Can I set a video as my Lock Screen wallpaper?
Nope. Apple doesn't allow videos as Lock Screen wallpapers. Only Live Photos will give you a brief animation when you press and hold the screen. Kind of a bummer if you ask me.
Why doesn't my Lock Screen show the cool weather effects?
First, make sure you chose the actual Weather wallpaper option (not just a photo of weather). Second, location services must be enabled for Weather. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather > select "While Using the App or Widgets".
How do I make my Lock Screen dim faster?
This is controlled by Auto-Lock. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Choose a shorter time (30 seconds, 1 minute). This affects how quickly the screen sleeps after you stop using it.
Can I have different "screen savers" for day and night?
Yes! Use Focus modes. Create a "Night" Focus mode. When setting it up, under Customize Screens, you can choose a specific Lock Screen (dark photo, minimal widgets) to activate only when that Focus is on. Super handy.
Is changing the Lock Screen the same as changing the Home Screen wallpaper?
No! They're separate. When you customize your Lock Screen (press & hold), look for the button at the bottom that says Customize Home Screen. Tap that to set a different wallpaper just for your Home Screen. You can even blur your Lock Screen photo for the Home Screen background.
Beyond Changing Screen Saver on iPhone: Pro Tips
Want to feel like a power user? Try these:
- Depth Effect Magic: When choosing a photo for Lock Screen, make sure the clock doesn't block the main subject. iOS will automatically place the time behind the subject for a cool layered look (Depth Effect). Needs iOS 16+ and a photo with a clear foreground subject.
- Quick Wallpaper Switch: Press & hold Lock Screen > swipe to the Lock Screen you want > tap it. Faster than digging through settings.
- Reduce Motion for Battery: If battery drain is an issue (especially with live wallpapers/widgets), go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion. Turn it ON.
Learning how to change screen saver on iphone – sorry, Lock Screen! – unlocks way more personality for your device. It's not just about looks; it's about having useful info pop up the second you glance at your phone. Takes a few minutes to master, but you'll use it for years. Now go make that Lock Screen yours.
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