Your iPhone’s home screen is the window to what you use most: your apps, widgets, and shortcuts. Changing it can give your phone fresh life and express your style.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to change home screen on iPhone step by step. Whether you want a new wallpaper, add widgets, or rearrange icons, these tips will help you make your screen look just the way you like.
What Does “Changing Home Screen” Mean?
When people talk about how to change home screen on iPhone, they usually mean a few different things
It can refer to changing the wallpaper or background image, customizing the layout with widgets, or organizing apps and even hiding entire screens.
With the newer iOS versions (iOS 16 and later), Apple has made it easier by allowing users to set a different wallpaper for the Lock Screen and the Home Screen.
In this guide, we’ll go through all of these options so you can personalize your device and make it feel more like your own.
Note: This guide applies to iPhones running iOS 16, iOS 17 or later — earlier versions may differ. You need to have your desired wallpaper image saved in Photos (if you want a custom one).
If you follow each step, you should end up with a beautiful home screen in just a few minutes.
How to Change Home Screen on iPhone?
Here’s the main process for how to change home screen on iPhone:
1. Open Settings → Wallpaper
Tap Settings
Scroll down and select Wallpaper
You’ll see preview panels showing your Lock Screen and Home Screen.
2. Tap “Add New Wallpaper”
In the Wallpaper menu, tap Add New Wallpaper
You’ll see options like Photos, People, Photo Shuffle, Live Photo,Emoji, or Apple’s built-in wallpapers
3. Choose your Lock Screen wallpaper first (optional)
Select an image or style you like
After picking, tap Add
You have two options:
Set as Wallpaper Pair (same image for Lock + Home)
Customize Home Screen (choose a separate image or style for Home)
If you want a new home screen only, choose Customize Home Screen.
4. Customizing the Home Screen
After tapping Customize Home Screen, you’ll see options such as:
Color / Gradient — pick a solid or gradient background
Image — use a photo or one of Apple’s images
Blur / Depth Effects — you can blur or soften the background so your app icons stand out
Once happy, tap Done to save.
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5. Customize directly from the Lock Screen
If you’re on the Lock Screen, press and hold it → open the wallpaper gallery → pick an existing wallpaper or add new → tap Customize → choose Home Screen → edit and save.
How to Add Widgets, Rearrange Apps, Hide Screens?
After updating your wallpaper, here are extra ways to personalize your home screen:
How to Rearrange Your Apps
If your apps feel scattered, you can easily move them around.
Tap and hold any app until the icons start to wiggle.
Drag the app to your preferred spot.
Place it into a folder by dragging it over another app.
Tap Done (top right) to save changes.
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How to Add Widgets
Widgets are small tools that show live information without opening apps.
Press and hold an empty area on your home screen.
Tap the plus (+) button in the top left corner.
Browse through available widgets (clock, calendar, photos, etc.).
Tap Add Widget.
Move it where you want and tap Done.
How to Hide or Show Home Screen Pages
If you want a cleaner look, you can hide entire pages of apps.
Long-press on the home screen until the icons jiggle.
Tap the dots at the bottom (page indicator).
Uncheck the pages you want to hide.
Tap Done.
You can bring them back anytime by repeating the steps.
How to Use the App Library
The App Library automatically organizes apps into categories like Social, Productivity, and Entertainment.
Swipe left until you reach the App Library.
From here, you can search or browse apps.
To keep your home screen clean, you can remove apps from the home screen but still access them in the library.
How to Change App Icons (Optional)
With the Shortcuts app, you can give your apps custom icons.
Open Shortcuts.
Tap + to create a new shortcut.
Choose Open App and select the app you want.
Tap the three dots (…) and select Add to Home Screen.
Tap the icon to choose a photo or symbol.
This allows you to create a theme-based look.
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Tips & Troubleshooting
Why can’t I change home screen only (not lock screen)?
When you are setting a wallpaper, make sure not to tap Set as Wallpaper Pair. Instead, choose Customize Home Screen so you can apply a different wallpaper only for the home screen.
If you are using an older version of iOS, you might not have the option to set separate wallpapers for the lock screen and the home screen.
Image quality & cropping
It’s important to pick high-resolution or landscape images to avoid pixelation on the home screen. You can pinch and drag the wallpaper to adjust its position as you like. Some wallpapers also allow depth or parallax effects, which can give your screen a more dynamic look.
Blurring & icon visibility
If your app icons become hard to see against the wallpaper, you can use the Blur effect or switch to a simpler background. The Depth Effect can also help by creating separation between the wallpaper’s subject and your icons, making them easier to view.
Restoring defaults
If you want to return to the default wallpaper, go to Settings → Wallpaper and select one of Apple’s built-in images. As a last resort, you can reset all settings on your iPhone, but keep in mind this is a drastic option that will change more than just the wallpaper.
Best Practices for Home Screen Wallpapers
Now that you know how to change home screen on iPhone, here are some best practices:
Consider App Icon Visibility
Your wallpaper should look good but shouldn't make app icons hard to see. Test your new wallpaper by checking if you can easily read app names and identify icons. If icons blend into the background, try a different wallpaper or use color adjustments.
Match Your Style
Choose wallpapers that reflect your personality. If you like minimalism, stick with solid colors or simple patterns. If you're more expressive, use bright photos or colorful designs. Your phone should feel like yours.
Think About Different Lighting
Your wallpaper looks different in various environments. A wallpaper that looks great indoors might be hard to see in bright sunlight. Consider where you use your phone most and choose accordingly.
Change It Regularly
Don't be afraid to change your wallpaper often. Refreshing your home screen every few weeks keeps your iPhone feeling new. Save several favorite photos or wallpapers and rotate through them.
Keep It Simple
Complex wallpapers with lots of details can make your home screen look cluttered. Simple wallpapers usually work better because they don't compete with your app icons for attention.
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Final Thoughts
Learning how to change home screen on iPhone is a simple yet fun way to give your device a more personal touch.
You can set a brand-new wallpaper that reflects your style, or even keep the Lock Screen and Home Screen different to create a unique look.
Along with wallpapers, you also have the option to add widgets and arrange apps in a way that makes your phone easier to use and more organized.
If there are pages you don’t need, you can even hide them to keep your home screen clean and clutter-free.
Always remember: Use a clean background so your icons are easy to see, and pick photos that suit your size.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to change Home Screen on iPhone?
To change your main Home Screen, press and hold any empty space until the apps start to wiggle. Then drag the page you want to the first position in the page order. You can also hide or unhide pages by tapping the dots at the bottom of the screen.
How do I change my Home Screen on my iPhone without changing the Lock Screen?
When you select a new wallpaper, tap Customize Home Screen instead of using the “Set as Wallpaper Pair” option. This allows you to pick a separate background just for your Home Screen without altering the Lock Screen.
How do I change the Home Screen background?
Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper. Choose a photo, color, or gradient, then tap Customize Home Screen to set it as your background. You can blur the image or adjust it to match your style.
Can your Lock Screen and Home Screen be different on an iPhone?
Yes, starting from iOS 16, Apple lets you set different wallpapers for the Lock Screen and Home Screen. This means you can have one design for your Lock Screen and a completely different one for your Home Screen.