How to Set Up Automatic Wallpaper Changes on Your iPhone

Tired of seeing the same old wallpaper on your iPhone? Want a fresh look without having to manually change it every time? You’re in luck! iOS offers several ways to have your wallpaper change automatically, adding a touch of dynamism to your daily experience. This guide will walk you through the different methods, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs.

Method 1: Using the ‘Shuffle’ Feature for Photos in your Photos App

The easiest method for changing your wallpaper automatically is by utilizing the ‘Shuffle’ feature within the Photos app. This allows you to select a specific album and have your wallpaper rotate through those photos on a timer.

Steps:

1. Create a dedicated album: Open the Photos app and create a new album specifically for your wallpaper images. To do this, tap the ‘+’ button at the top left, choose ‘New Album’, give it a name like “Wallpaper Rotation”, and then add your desired wallpaper images to it.
2. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
3. Tap ‘Wallpaper’: Scroll down and tap on ‘Wallpaper’.
4. Tap ‘Add New Wallpaper’: Tap on the ‘Add New Wallpaper’ option.
5. Select ‘Photos’: In the wallpaper options screen, tap on ‘Photos’ which is the first item in the ‘Add New Wallpaper’ page.
6. Choose your Album: In the photos picker, navigate to ‘Albums’ and select the album you created in Step 1. The album will be called ‘Wallpaper Rotation’ or the name you chose earlier.
7. Tap the ‘…’ button: In the Wallpaper preview page tap on the ellipsis button at the bottom right corner.
8. Enable ‘Shuffle’ : Tap on the ‘Shuffle’ button to turn it ON.
9. Adjust Shuffle Frequency: Tap on ‘Shuffle Frequency’ to select how frequently you want the wallpapers to change. You can choose “On Tap”, “On Lock”, “Hourly”, “Daily”.
10. Tap ‘Add’: Once you’ve configured the shuffle options, tap ‘Add’ at the top-right corner.
11. Set your Wallpaper: Choose whether you want the rotating wallpaper on your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both.

That’s it! Your iPhone will now automatically cycle through the images in your selected album based on your chosen frequency.

Method 2: Using Shortcuts App for Advanced Customization

For more advanced customization and control over wallpaper changes, you can use the Shortcuts app. This method allows you to create automations that can trigger wallpaper changes based on various factors like time of day, location, or even when an app is opened.

Steps:

1. Open the Shortcuts App: Locate and open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Create a New Automation: Tap on the ‘Automation’ tab at the bottom of the screen. Then tap the ‘+’ button in the top-right and then select ‘Create Personal Automation’.
3. Choose a Trigger: Select a trigger that will initiate the wallpaper change. Some common examples include:
   • Time of Day: Choose ‘Time of Day’ to change your wallpaper at specific times.
   • Arrival/Departure: Choose ‘Arrival/Departure’ to change your wallpaper based on your location.
   • App: Choose ‘App’ to change your wallpaper when a specific app is opened or closed.
4. Configure the Trigger: Set the parameters of the selected trigger. For example, for ‘Time of Day’, select the desired hour and minutes. Tap ‘Next’ when done.
5. Add an Action: Tap on ‘Add Action’. Use the search bar to find the action ‘Set Wallpaper’.
6. Choose a Wallpaper: Tap on the ‘Image’ text in the ‘Set Wallpaper’ box, navigate to your saved wall paper in ‘Photos’ and select the image you want to set.
7. (Optional) Adjust the action settings: In the ‘Set Wallpaper’ action box, you can adjust parameters like whether to set the wallpaper on the lock screen or home screen by using the toggle switches.
8. Repeat the Action: If you want multiple wallpapers that change throughout the day create another automation for next wallpaper you want to set.
9. Turn off “Ask Before Running”: Disable the “Ask Before Running” toggle. This will allow the automation to run silently without requiring your intervention. This allows the automation to change the wallpaper automatically.
10. Tap ‘Done’: Tap ‘Done’ to save your automation.

Important Notes:

• Shortcuts automation are more complex to set up, and require a little bit of learning curve to use them effectively.
• If you want to have a more sophisticated setup, you can use Shortcuts to select a random wallpaper from a specified directory. This is more complex, but can be achieved with some experimentation within the shortcuts app.

Tips for Selecting Wallpapers

• Resolution: Choose high-resolution images to ensure crisp and clear wallpapers on your iPhone.
• Variety: If you’re shuffling from a photo album, include a variety of images that you enjoy to keep things fresh.
• Color Matching: Consider the colors of your app icons and widgets when choosing wallpapers.
• Focus: Select wallpapers that have a clear focus point for better visual appeal.

Conclusion

Changing your iPhone wallpaper automatically is a great way to personalize your device and add some visual interest to your daily use. Whether you choose the simple shuffle feature or delve into the more powerful automations offered by Shortcuts, there’s a method for everyone to keep their iPhone looking fresh. Experiment with the different options and enjoy the dynamic wallpaper experience!