Unlock the Style: How to Set Multiple Wallpapers on Your Lock Screen (Android & iOS)

Tired of the same old lock screen wallpaper? Do you wish you could showcase more of your favorite images without having to manually change them every time? You’re not alone! Many users crave the ability to display multiple wallpapers on their lock screen, adding a touch of dynamism and personalization to their devices. While neither Android nor iOS offers a direct, built-in feature for a traditional wallpaper slideshow on the lock screen, there are clever workarounds and third-party apps that can achieve this effect. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods to set multiple wallpapers on your lock screen, catering to both Android and iOS users.

Understanding the Limitations

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand the limitations of both Android and iOS regarding lock screen wallpapers:

• Android: Native Android primarily allows for a single static lock screen wallpaper. Some manufacturers offer their own custom launchers and UI enhancements which might include a wallpaper slideshow feature for the lock screen, but these are not standard across all Android devices.
• iOS: iOS, similar to Android, also defaults to a single, static lock screen wallpaper. Although it offers a slideshow for the home screen, this functionality doesn’t extend to the lock screen by default.

Therefore, we need to explore alternative methods to circumvent these limitations.

Methods for Android

Android, known for its customization options, provides a range of methods for setting multiple wallpapers on the lock screen. Let’s explore them:

1. Using Manufacturer-Specific Features (if Available)

Some Android manufacturers, like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei, include their own custom UI features that allow for a wallpaper slideshow or carousel on the lock screen. These features may vary slightly depending on the specific device and software version. Here’s a general guide, but you should consult your device’s manual or settings for the most accurate instructions:

1. Access Settings: Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Find ‘Wallpaper’ or ‘Themes’: Look for an option labeled ‘Wallpaper,’ ‘Themes,’ ‘Display,’ or similar. The specific wording may differ depending on your manufacturer.
3. Explore Options: Within the wallpaper or themes settings, look for an option that mentions ‘lock screen,’ ‘slideshow,’ ‘carousel,’ or ‘dynamic wallpaper.’ Some may use terms like ‘wallpaper services’.
4. Select Your Images: If you find a slideshow or similar option, you’ll likely be prompted to select the images you want to use. You might be able to choose images from your gallery or from specific folders.
5. Adjust Settings: You may have options to adjust the slideshow’s speed (how quickly the wallpaper changes), the transition style, and other related settings.
6. Apply Changes: Once you’ve configured your settings, apply the changes.

Example for Samsung Devices: On some Samsung phones, you might find this feature under Settings > Wallpaper and Style > Wallpapers > Explore more wallpapers > Dynamic lock screen. If available, this option will allow you to download different categories of dynamic lock screen wallpapers, some of which change images throughout the day. You can also select multiple personal images by selecting the ‘From Gallery’ option.

Important Note: Not all Android devices from these manufacturers will offer this feature. Check your device’s settings thoroughly. If you don’t find a built-in option, move on to the next method.

2. Using Third-Party Launcher Apps

Launcher apps are a powerful way to customize your Android device’s home screen and, in some cases, also affect the lock screen. Some launchers offer the functionality to create a wallpaper slideshow or carousel for the lock screen. Here’s how you might use a launcher app to achieve this:

1. Choose a Suitable Launcher: Search for launchers in the Google Play Store. Popular options that are known for customization features include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Smart Launcher. While not all directly manipulate the lock screen wallpaper itself, they often integrate with apps that do. Check the launcher’s description and reviews to see if it has any relevant features or plugins.
2. Install and Set Up: Install your chosen launcher app and follow the instructions to set it as your default launcher. This will replace your device’s stock home screen interface.
3. Explore the Launcher’s Settings: Go to the launcher’s settings menu. This often involves long-pressing on the home screen and selecting ‘Settings’, or accessing it from the app drawer.
4. Look for Wallpaper Options: Within the launcher’s settings, look for any options related to wallpapers or lock screens. There may be options to add widgets or customize the look of the lock screen. Some launchers might offer integration with dedicated lock screen replacement apps.
5. Find & Install a Relevant Plugin or Lock Screen Replacement App: If the launcher doesn’t offer lock screen slideshow itself, you may need to search and download a companion app or plugin from the play store, that’s specifically designed to handle lock screen customization including wallpapers. Some launchers offer direct suggestions.
6. Configure Your Slideshow: Using the third party lock screen replacement app or plugin, follow instructions to add multiple photos. You’ll usually have to specify the images you want to cycle through, adjust the slideshow speed, and possibly choose a transition effect.
7. Apply Changes: Save your settings and lock your screen to verify the changes.

Important Note: Not all launchers will support this directly, and results can vary depending on the launcher and any associated apps you use. Be sure to check reviews and experiment with a few different combinations if the first approach doesn’t produce the desired effect.

3. Using Third-Party Lock Screen Apps

If your phone’s native features and launchers aren’t providing enough lock screen customization, dedicated lock screen apps may be the solution. These apps can completely replace your phone’s default lock screen and offer more granular control over its appearance and functionality. Here’s how to utilize one:

1. Choose a Lock Screen App: Search for ‘lock screen app’ on the Google Play Store. Look for apps that offer customization and, importantly, the ability to use multiple wallpapers. Popular choices include Hi Locker, AcDisplay, and others. Read user reviews and ratings to ensure it has the features you want and a good reputation.
2. Install and Grant Permissions: Install the selected app and grant any necessary permissions it requests. These may include permission to draw over other apps, access storage, etc.
3. Explore App Settings: Launch the app and explore its settings. Find the options related to wallpaper or customization.
4. Configure Multiple Wallpapers: Look for the option to set multiple wallpapers. The app will likely provide a way to select the images from your gallery that you want to cycle through. You’ll also likely be able to control aspects like transition effects and the time interval between wallpaper changes.
5. Customize Other Settings: Besides wallpapers, most lock screen replacement apps will provide options to customize other lock screen aspects, such as widgets, notifications, shortcuts, and styles.
6. Set as Default Lock Screen: Ensure the app is set as your device’s default lock screen. The app will guide you on how to do this. On some Android versions, this may involve turning off the native lock screen.
7. Test and Fine-Tune: Lock your screen to check the changes. You may need to fine-tune the settings in the app to get the exact look and functionality you want.

Important Note: Be cautious when installing lock screen apps, as some may contain ads or request excessive permissions. Always review the app’s ratings, reviews, and permissions before installing. Also, using a third-party lock screen app may disable certain system features or interfere with device security. Some devices can have conflicts or incompatibility with some lockscreen apps. Test and make sure they are working well.

4. Using Apps Designed for Live Wallpapers

While most live wallpapers focus on moving elements, some can achieve the effect of a slideshow by dynamically changing images. Here’s how to explore this method:

1. Search for Live Wallpaper Apps: Search on Google Play store using keywords like “live wallpaper changer,” or “live wallpaper slideshow”. Read reviews to find an app that meets your requirements.
2. Install and Set Up: Install the selected app and set it as your live wallpaper.
3. Import and Configure Images: Most of these apps will allow you to import photos from your gallery. You can configure the timing, transition effects, and order of the photos.
4. Apply the Live Wallpaper: Go to your wallpaper settings and select the live wallpaper you just configured. Please note that not all live wallpaper apps work on the lock screen. Check your device settings to enable live wallpapers on lock screen.

Important note: Live wallpapers can consume more battery power. Ensure to adjust the update frequency in settings to reduce battery drain. Some apps might not directly work on the lock screen and are designed only for the homescreen.

Methods for iOS

iOS, while less customizable than Android, still offers some workarounds to display multiple images on the lock screen. However, these methods may involve some clever tricks and are not a seamless, direct wallpaper slideshow.

1. Using the Shortcuts App (for a limited effect)

The Shortcuts app on iOS is a powerful tool that allows you to automate many tasks. While it can’t directly change lock screen wallpapers as a full slideshow, it can change them on a semi-regular basis using automations triggered by specific time based events. This is not the ideal method to cycle multiple images constantly but can be helpful if you wish to change your lock screen wallpaper automatically during the day or week.

1. Install and Open the Shortcuts App: If you don’t have the Shortcuts app, download it from the App Store. Open the Shortcuts app.
2. Create a New Automation: Tap on the ‘Automation’ tab at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the ‘+’ button in the top-right corner.
3. Choose a Trigger: Tap ‘Create Personal Automation’ and select a trigger. The “Time of Day” or ‘Time based’ option is the most relevant one. Set the specific time of the day that you want the automation to run at. You can also create multiple automations for different times of the day.
4. Add an Action: Tap ‘Add Action,’ and in the search bar type ‘Set Wallpaper.’ Tap ‘Set Wallpaper.’
5. Select the Image: Tap ‘Image’ in the Set Wallpaper Action. Tap ‘Choose’ and select the specific image you want to use for this automation. This step requires you to create one automation for each wallpaper you want to use and to select that particular image for each action.
6. Repeat for More Images: Repeat these steps to create separate automations for each specific image. Set the times for each automation in order to schedule when you want each image to be applied on the lockscreen.
7. Turn off ‘Ask Before Running’: To ensure the automation runs without prompts, toggle off ‘Ask Before Running’. Tap ‘Done’ and you can now close the shortcuts app.

Important note: This method isn’t ideal if you want to cycle images rapidly, but is helpful for changing the lock screen automatically at certain times during the day. iOS system prevents third party apps or shortcuts from frequently changing the lock screen every few minutes or seconds without manually confirming by the user. Thus the timing of the wallpaper change can only be hourly or daily.

2. Using Third-Party Apps with Widget Support

While iOS does not have native support for lock screen widgets, third-party apps with lock screen widget support can be used to simulate a slideshow of images, not directly as wallpapers, but visually similar to it. These apps usually provide widgets on the lock screen that change to show a new image after a set amount of time. This is not a true wallpaper change but rather a series of images displayed on a widget. There is no way to display multiple *actual* wallpapers directly on the lockscreen on iOS. Here’s the generic approach:

1. Search and Install a suitable app: Search for apps with ‘lockscreen widgets’ that offer customization of images, specifically ones with slideshow functionality. Popular choices might include apps designed for photo viewing or widget creation. Please check reviews and description to make sure the app has slideshow widget functionality and supports iOS versions you use.
2. Launch the app and add images: Follow app instructions to import and add multiple images. They may be stored locally within the app or synced via cloud or your photo library.
3. Configure widget settings: Create a custom widget and select the images you wish to include in the slideshow. You can configure transition speed and effects within the app, or sometimes within the widget customization itself.
4. Add the widget to your lockscreen: Long press on the lockscreen and press customize. On the customization screen press ‘add widgets’ and select the widget from the third party app you are using. Move the widget to your preferred location on your lockscreen.
5. Test and Fine-tune: Lock your screen to observe the changes. If the behavior is not as expected adjust the widget settings from the app, until you are happy with the slideshow.

Important Note: These widgets do not actually change the background of the lock screen but display photos as part of the widget. There are also limitations on how often third party widgets can update. This is not a true wallpaper slideshow but a series of images displayed as a widget on the lock screen. Also, keep in mind that lockscreen widgets were first introduced in iOS16 and so older versions will not be able to use this method.

3. Using the Home Screen Wallpaper Slideshow

While this doesn’t directly affect the lock screen, you can create a slideshow of images on your home screen and use the blur effect to make the lockscreen *appear* like it has the same slideshow behind it. This is not a true multi wallpaper lockscreen effect, but is a workaround if you like the slideshow on your homescreen, with lockscreen giving the blurred effect, making them visually similar.

1. Access Wallpaper Settings: Go to Settings > Wallpaper.
2. Tap ‘Add New Wallpaper’: Select the ‘Add New Wallpaper’ option.
3. Select ‘Photos Shuffle’: Choose the ‘Photos Shuffle’ option.
4. Select Images: Select the images from your gallery or specified folders you want to include in the slideshow.
5. Customize Shuffle Frequency: You can set how often the images will change (e.g. on tap, hourly, daily).
6. Set as home screen: Set the wallpaper shuffle settings and save it.
7. Set the same image as lock screen: Set one of the images from the shuffle on the home screen as the lockscreen wallpaper.
8. Apply Blur to Lockscreen: In most cases, your lockscreen will use the same wallpaper and if the same image has blur effect on the lockscreen, the overall effect will be the same slideshow wallpaper blurred on lockscreen and in focus on home screen.

Important Note: This does not create multiple wallpapers on the lock screen, only gives a similar illusion. You can customize the shuffle timings to your liking. Since iOS lock screen and home screen have been redesigned since iOS 16, this also makes the home screen and lockscreen visually similar, making them look like part of the same continuous screen, enhancing the illusion.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• Battery Drain: Be mindful that live wallpapers, frequent wallpaper changes, and lock screen replacement apps may consume more battery power. Adjust settings to minimize battery drain if needed.
• Performance: Some apps might slow down your device, especially on older models. If you experience lag, consider uninstalling or trying different apps.
• Compatibility: Not all apps are compatible with all devices. Read reviews and try a few options to see what works best for you.
• Permissions: Always be careful about the permissions you grant to third-party apps. Only grant necessary permissions and be sure to remove apps that are not behaving as expected.
• Regular Updates: Ensure that the apps you use are regularly updated to ensure security and compatibility.
• Test and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different apps and settings until you achieve the desired look and functionality.

Conclusion

While neither Android nor iOS offers a direct, out-of-the-box solution for a traditional lock screen wallpaper slideshow, there are various methods to achieve similar results. By leveraging manufacturer-specific features, third-party launchers, lock screen apps, the Shortcuts app (on iOS), and third-party widgets, you can add dynamic personalization to your device’s lock screen and create a unique visual experience. Remember to choose the method that best suits your device, technical comfort level, and desired effect. So go ahead and unlock your creativity and personalize your lock screen with multiple wallpapers!