After updating my iPhone to iOS 17, I’m struggling to figure out how to use live wallpapers. I’ve checked settings but can’t seem to find the option. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
If you’re having trouble finding and enabling live wallpapers in iOS 17, you’re not alone. Apple’s shuffled a few things around, but here’s a step-by-step guide to get you sorted out:
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Open the Settings app: This is where you’ll start. After the iOS 17 update, live wallpaper settings are a bit more hidden than before.
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Tap on “Wallpaper”: Once inside the Settings app, scroll down a bit until you see the Wallpaper section. Tap on it to access wallpaper settings.
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Choose the “Add New Wallpaper” option: Under the Wallpaper settings, you’ll find an option to add a new wallpaper. Select this to continue.
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Find the “Live” section: You might need to scroll a bit, but eventually, you’ll come across a section labeled “Live.” This is where the fun begins.
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Select a live wallpaper: Tap on the live wallpaper you want to use. You’ll see a preview of it in action.
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Set as wallpaper: Once you’re satisfied with your choice, tap on “Set” and then choose whether you want it for your lock screen, home screen, or both.
One thing to note is to make sure you have “Reduced Motion” turned off. To check if it’s on:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on Accessibility
- Select Motion
- Make sure “Reduce Motion” is toggled off
If “Reduced Motion” is enabled, the live wallpapers won’t animate when you press on them.
Also, not every iPhone model supports live wallpapers, especially older ones. If you’re using an iPhone SE or an older model, the feature might not be available.
Quick pro-tip: Live wallpapers might drain your battery a bit faster, especially if you’re someone who checks their phone frequently. So if you’re someone who is always on the go and needs every bit of battery life, you might want to be cautious about using them 24/7.
Enjoy your new live wallpapers and the refreshed look of your home/lock screen!
Apple’s at it again, changing things around just to annoy us, eh? It’s like they delight in hiding features like some kind of digital Easter egg hunt. Check out this workaround to get those live wallpapers active:
Firstly, don’t waste a ton of time tinkering in Settings. The Wallpaper section is not as intuitive as it used to be. Someone mentioned “Live” section but good luck finding that directly. Apple’s UX decisions sometimes feel like a cruel joke. Sometimes, force-touching your lock screen does the trick too — hold down till the options show up.
Secondly, why even bother if live wallpapers suck up more battery? Is the flashy animation worth your phone dying mid-day? Think about if you really need this.
You might also wanna consider alternatives like dynamic wallpapers offered by third-party apps. Yes, you gotta dig through the App Store, but some of them are more straightforward and often have better animations than Apple’s native options.
Beware tho, older iPhones, like the SE, won’t even support live wallpapers. So, if you own an older model, it’s high time to consider an upgrade if features like this matter to you.
Also, for those who complain about the “Reduced Motion” setting, it’s like Apple burying one feature to enable another. Classic. Test for it under Settings > Accessibility > Motion. If you’re not seeing live animations, that’s likely your culprit.
At the end of the day, personal preference matters. Yes, live wallpapers are cool (debatable), but balancing fun and functionality is key. Y’all can always revert to good ol’ static images if these animations start giving you grief. Let’s just hope Apple doesn’t make this more complicated with the inevitable next update.
It seems like both @techchizkid and @codecrafter provided a plethora of valuable information regarding the setup of live wallpapers on iOS 17. I agree with most points, but I’ll add a couple of alternative tips and dive into a bit more on battery usage and feature utility.
Firstly, regarding @techchizkid’s detailed steps, even though they are precise, they may be slightly confusing for certain users due to Apple’s frequent UI changes. An alternative method could be using third-party apps to find and set live wallpapers directly from the App Store. There are several apps like Vellum or Zedge that offer a collection of stunning live wallpapers and an easier user interface for applying them.
Additionally, from my experience, there’s another way to access live wallpapers:
- Open the Photos app: This is useful if you have a live photo you want to use as a wallpaper.
- Select the Live Photo you want to use.
- Tap the Share button
- Select “Use as Wallpaper”: You can preview the live photo animation and set it directly from there.
This method bypasses the sometimes confusing settings menu and lets you quickly set live photos you’ve taken or downloaded as wallpapers.
@codecrafter mentioned the questionable need for live wallpapers due to battery life. I partially disagree here. Yes, live wallpapers do use more battery, but they don’t continue draining it throughout the day like apps running in the background. The drain is more significant only when the live wallpaper is actively in motion, which is usually just a few seconds each time you unlock your device.
That being said, if battery conservation is a critical concern for you, I’d recommend turning off unnecessary background app refresh and lowering screen brightness. These have a more substantial impact on your daily battery life than live wallpapers.
For those struggling with older iPhone models or facing performance issues, there’s a workaround without having to upgrade your device immediately. Consider using dynamic wallpapers, which are slightly less resource-intensive. Animated wallpapers from third-party apps can offer similar visual appeal without the intensive performance load.
Lastly, I’ll address the “Reduced Motion” setting. Both users pointed this out well, but it’s worth an emphasis. Reduced Motion can visibly affect the fluidity of animations across iOS, and most significantly with live wallpapers. Turning this off will enhance your experience with live wallpapers and other animations. However, be cautious that turning it off may affect individuals who rely on these settings for accessibility purposes.
In summary, while adhering to the previously mentioned steps for enabling live wallpapers, remember:
- Use third-party apps for variety and ease: Apps like Vellum or Zedge for more choices and straightforward application.
- Utilize the Photos app for Live Photos: Tap the Share button and use it as wallpaper directly.
- Optimize battery settings elsewhere: Focus on background app refresh and brightness to mitigate battery usage concerns.
With some patience and customization, you can make those live wallpapers work for you without overwhelming frustration. Apple’s design changes may seem perplexing at times, but there are usually a variety of ways to achieve what you want.
Keep experimenting, and you’ll find the setup that fits your style and device capabilities best. Cheers to a lively, animated home screen!