Dynamic Delight: How to Set Your Wallpaper to Change Every Time You Turn On Your Phone

Tired of seeing the same old static wallpaper every time you unlock your phone? Do you crave a fresh visual experience each time you glance at your home screen? Well, you’re in luck! Modern smartphone technology allows you to set your wallpaper to change automatically whenever you turn on your device, offering a constantly evolving aesthetic. This article will guide you through various methods to achieve this, catering to both Android and iOS users, providing detailed step-by-step instructions and exploring different app options. Get ready to revitalize your phone’s look and say goodbye to wallpaper boredom!

Why Change Your Wallpaper Automatically?

Before diving into the ‘how-to’, let’s consider why you might want to automate your wallpaper changes. Here are a few compelling reasons:

• Fresh Visuals: A constantly changing wallpaper prevents your phone from feeling visually stale. It’s like having a new piece of art to admire each time you turn on your screen.
• Mood Enhancement: Different images evoke different feelings. Switching wallpapers can help match your phone’s aesthetic to your current mood or the time of day. A calming landscape in the morning, a vibrant abstract in the afternoon, and something relaxing at night – the possibilities are endless.
• Organization: You could use different categories of images, each representing a different focus or time of the day. For example, work-related images during office hours, family photos on weekends, etc.
• Personalization: Automated wallpaper changes add a layer of personalization to your device, making it truly your own.
• Fun and Surprise: The randomness of a wallpaper change can add a little bit of fun and surprise to your daily routine. You never quite know what you’re going to see when you turn on your phone.

Changing Wallpapers on Android

Android’s open nature provides multiple ways to achieve automated wallpaper changes. Here are some of the most effective methods:

Method 1: Using Built-in Features (Limited Functionality)

Some Android devices come with a built-in feature to rotate through a set of pre-loaded wallpapers or a custom album. While this feature might not offer the same level of customization as apps, it’s a quick and easy way to get started.

Steps (General, may vary slightly by manufacturer):

1. Access Wallpaper Settings: Long-press an empty area on your home screen. You’ll usually see a pop-up menu with options like ‘Wallpaper’, ‘Widgets’, and ‘Settings’. Tap ‘Wallpaper’. Alternatively, you can go to your device’s ‘Settings’ app, then navigate to ‘Display’ or ‘Wallpaper & Style’, depending on your device.
2. Look for ‘Wallpaper Carousel’ or similar: Look for an option that resembles ‘Wallpaper Carousel’, ‘Daily Lock Screen’, ‘Rotating Wallpapers’ or something similar. These names vary based on your Android version and manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Google Pixel).
3. Select Your Images or Album: If prompted, choose the source for your wallpapers. You may be able to select from pre-installed images, a specific album from your gallery, or even curated collections available through the device manufacturer.
4. Enable Rotation: Make sure the wallpaper rotation feature is enabled. Sometimes this will be a toggle switch or a specific setting option within the wallpaper settings menu.
5. Test: Turn off your phone, then turn it on again. The wallpaper should be different than the previous one. Repeat this a few times to verify the rotation is working correctly.

Limitations of Built-in Features:

• Limited customization: Usually, you are stuck with the rotation order or predefined collections.
• Basic transition effects: Often limited to very basic transition animations or no animations at all.
• No automatic updates: New wallpapers aren’t automatically downloaded.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps (More Customization)

The Google Play Store is teeming with excellent wallpaper apps that offer a wide range of features for automatic wallpaper changing, including custom playlists, time-based triggers, and even live wallpapers. Here are a few of the most popular and effective choices:

1. Muzei Live Wallpaper

Muzei is a popular choice among Android users known for its simplicity and functionality. It doesn’t just change wallpapers on every screen unlock but also blurs them for a more subtle visual effect if you prefer that. It also supports plugins, giving it a high degree of customizability.

Steps to use Muzei:

1. Download and Install: Install Muzei Live Wallpaper from the Google Play Store.
2. Set as Default Live Wallpaper: Open the app. It will prompt you to select it as your default live wallpaper. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Choose a Source: Tap on the ‘Source’ option. Muzei offers a few options by default. You can choose ‘Gallery’ to select images from your own phone storage, or you can add specific sources via supported plugins (e.g., Flickr, DeviantArt). Muzei uses ‘collections’ to refer to groups of images.
4. Configure Rotation: Muzei doesn’t by default change wallpaper every time you unlock. For that, you will need a plugin that can change the image on-screen lock or other events, such as after a specified amount of time. There are numerous plugins in the playstore, one of the most popular is the ‘Muzei Random Wallpaper Changer’. Install it from the playstore.
5. Use the plugin: Once installed, open the plugin and set a timer or trigger to change your wallpaper when you want. For example, you can configure it to change when you turn on your screen.
6. Optional: Customize other settings, such as dimming, blurring, and display options for a more unique look.

Why Muzei is a great choice:

• Simple and elegant interface.
• Plugin ecosystem for added functionality.
• Subtle blurring and dimming effects.
• Open-source and free.

2. Tapet

Tapet is unique in that it generates abstract wallpapers using algorithms. It’s a great option for people who prefer geometric and modern designs. It also automatically changes wallpaper on each screen on, though you can configure how frequently the wallpapers change.

Steps to use Tapet:

1. Download and Install: Install Tapet from the Google Play Store.
2. Set as Wallpaper: Open the app. Tapet generates a new abstract wallpaper automatically. Select the one you like and set it as wallpaper. It will continue to generate new ones over time.
3. Configure change time: Go to settings and specify how often wallpapers change. You can configure it to change on screen on or after a time interval.
4. Customize: Choose your color palette, pattern styles, and other parameters to create unique designs. You can also mark designs as favorites.

Why Tapet is a great choice:

• Unique algorithm-generated designs.
• Extensive customization options for abstract art.
• Automatic wallpaper changing.
• Free with in-app purchases for advanced features.

3. Walli – 4K, HD Wallpapers

Walli is a community-driven wallpaper app that features high-quality artwork and photographs from talented artists. It offers a huge selection of beautiful wallpapers and lets you change them with your choice of frequency. This app does require a free account but it’s well worth it for the sheer variety of images available.

Steps to use Walli:

1. Download and Install: Install Walli from the Google Play Store.
2. Create an account (or login): Walli requires an account. Set one up or log in with an existing one.
3. Browse and Select: Browse the app for wallpapers you like. You can organize them in folders (called “lists”)
4. Set as Wallpaper: Open the settings by tapping the three horizontal lines. Then tap “Auto Change Wallpaper”. Enable the option and select how often to change. Select the list of wallpapers you wish to use in the “List Selection” option.

Why Walli is a great choice:

• High-quality artwork from talented creators.
• Large selection of wallpapers with different styles.
• Easy to use interface.
• Option to change wallpapers frequently.

4. Ifttt

Ifttt, also known as “If This Then That”, is an automation tool that lets you create custom recipes that can connect multiple apps and services. For the purposes of this article, you can set up an applet in Ifttt that uses your photo gallery and changes the wallpaper every time you turn the screen on. It requires some more set-up, and does not have as polished a UI as other dedicated wallpaper changing apps, but it can be useful if you already use Ifttt.

Steps to use Ifttt:

1. Download and Install: Install the Ifttt app from the Google Play Store.
2. Set up an account (or login): Open the Ifttt app and log in with your account.
3. Create an applet: Tap on the plus (+) button in the bottom right corner. Then tap on the + This. Select ‘Android Device’ as a service. Then select ‘Screen turns on’ as trigger. Then Tap +That, select ‘Android Device’ again, then select ‘Set Wallpaper’.
4. Grant Necessary Permissions: Allow Ifttt to access necessary permissions for changing the wallpaper.
5. Select Wallpaper Source: Select what directory in your photo gallery to use as source.
6. Activate the Applet: Activate the created applet.

Why Ifttt is a great choice:

• Automated wallpaper change.
• Highly flexible with custom triggers and recipes.
• Free for general use.

Tips for choosing a third-party wallpaper app:

• Read Reviews: Check user reviews to ensure the app is stable and reliable.
• Permissions: Be cautious of apps requesting unnecessary permissions.
• Features: Select an app that offers the features you desire, such as custom playlists, time-based triggers, and live wallpaper support.
• Free vs. Paid: Start with a free app to explore its functionality before committing to a paid version.

Changing Wallpapers on iOS

iOS, known for its focus on security and user privacy, has fewer options for direct wallpaper rotation compared to Android. However, there are still methods you can utilize to achieve a dynamic wallpaper experience.

Method 1: Using Shortcuts App

Apple’s Shortcuts app is a powerful tool for automating various tasks, including changing your wallpaper. This method involves creating a custom shortcut that automatically sets a new wallpaper from an album every time you turn on your screen, or on a specific trigger like opening a specific app.

Steps to create the Shortcut:

1. Install Shortcuts App: If you don’t already have it, download the Shortcuts app from the App Store.
2. Create a new shortcut: Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus (+) button to create a new shortcut.
3. Add the ‘Get Photos’ action: Tap ‘Add Action’, then search for ‘Find Photos’. Tap ‘Find Photos’. This will retrieve photos from your Photo Library.
4. Configure the ‘Find Photos’ action: Set the ‘Limit’ parameter to ‘1’ (this will retrieve a single image per run), and tap the ‘Add Filter’ button, select ‘Album’ then choose the album that contains the images you want to use as your wallpaper. Under ‘Sort By’ select ‘Random’. This ensures your wallpaper images are randomly chosen from the selected album.
5. Add the ‘Set Wallpaper’ action: Tap the plus (+) button, then search for ‘Set Wallpaper’. Tap ‘Set Wallpaper’ to add it.
6. Adjust the ‘Set Wallpaper’ action: You may need to configure if the wallpaper will be set only on the lock screen or on the home screen or both.
7. Add an automation: Now tap on the “Automation” icon in the bottom menu of the shortcuts app. Tap the plus button in the top right to add a new one. Tap ‘Create Personal Automation’. Then select the trigger that you want:
   • If you want the wallpaper to change every time you unlock the phone then scroll down and select “Lock Screen”, then tick the “Is Unlocked” option and the choose the option ‘Immediately’. Click Next.
   • If you want the wallpaper to change when you open a specific app, select “App”, choose “Is Opened”, select the app(s), then click Next.
8. Add action to the Automation: On the next page click on “Add Action” and then search for the shortcut you created before. Click next then click Done.
9. Test your automation: Close the shortcuts app. Then turn your phone off and then on. The wallpaper should change (if using “Lock Screen” trigger) or open the configured app to change the wallpaper (if using the “App” trigger).

Limitations of this method:

• Slight delay: There might be a small delay before the wallpaper is changed after turning the screen on.
• Notification: When the shortcut changes the wallpaper, a notification will appear, though that can be disabled under Shortcuts settings.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps (Limited)

Unlike Android, iOS has stricter restrictions on what third-party apps can do in terms of system-level changes like wallpapers. However, some apps offer clever workarounds and unique wallpaper experiences. A good example is the app called “Widgetsmith”. Though the main purpose of the app is to create custom widgets, it can also be used to change wallpapers on the lockscreen. Here is how:

Steps to use Widgetsmith:

1. Install Widgetsmith: Download Widgetsmith from the Apple App Store.
2. Create a Widget: Open Widgetsmith. Click ‘Add Widget’. Select your desired size (Lock Screen widgets are small and rectangular).
3. Configure the Widget: Tap the selected widget. Tap on the ‘Select Photo’ option and select the photos you want to use. Then tap the settings icon. Configure the ‘Rotation Timer’ to your desired setting, such as ‘Every Hour’, or ‘Every Day’.
4. Add the Widget to the Lock Screen: Go to your phone lockscreen and then press and hold on the lock screen. Tap “Customize” in the bottom of the screen and then tap “Lock Screen”. Tap “Add Widgets” and scroll down to Widgetsmith. Select the widget that you previously made.

Limitations of this method:

• Limited Functionality: iOS only allows “Widgets” on the lockscreen. That means that the dynamic wallpaper will only be seen on the lockscreen. Also, the wallpapers will only rotate periodically according to the available options of the widget.
• Only Lockscreen: The wallpaper will not change on the home screen, and will be limited to a small size.

Tips for iOS users:

• Keep iOS Updated: Apple may introduce new features or improvements to shortcuts in the future that may enable better wallpaper rotation.
• Explore the App Store: Keep searching the app store as there might be third party apps that may address your needs for dynamic wallpapers.

Conclusion

Changing your wallpaper automatically every time you turn on your phone is a fun and effective way to add a personal touch to your device. Whether you are an Android user leveraging the flexibility of the platform and its numerous third-party apps, or an iOS user creatively utilizing the Shortcuts app, the possibilities for dynamic wallpaper experiences are endless. By following the detailed steps provided in this article, you can banish wallpaper boredom and enjoy a fresh look every time you turn on your phone. Experiment with the various options and find the method that best suits your preferences and phone model. Happy wallpaper changing!