How to Change Wallpaper on Android Lock Screen and Home Screen.
Learn how to add or change wallpapers on both your lock screen and home screen. I show you the steps to customize your Android device with new backgrounds.
I am showing you on a Sony Xperia 1 V running Android 15. The process works for most Android devices including Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands. The exact steps may vary a little depending on your Android version and phone maker, but the basic process is the same.
In this guide, you will learn how to change lock screen wallpaper or set a new home screen background. If you want different wallpapers for your lock screen and home screen, I explain how to set them separately.
The Fastest Way to Change Your Wallpaper
Here is the quickest method to change your wallpaper on most Android phones.
The steps:
- Find an empty area on your home screen (no icons or widgets)
- Press and hold that empty area with your finger
- A menu will pop up at the bottom of the screen
- Tap Wallpaper and style (the name might be slightly different on some phones)
- Tap Change wallpaper or a similar option
- Choose where you want to get your wallpaper from – your photo gallery, default wallpapers, or downloaded images
- Select the picture you want to use
- Decide if you want it on your lock screen, home screen, or both
- Tap Apply or Done
That is it. Your new wallpaper is now set.
How to Set Different Wallpapers for Lock Screen and Home Screen
If you want one picture on your lock screen and a different picture on your home screen, here is what to do.
Follow these steps:
- Press and hold on an empty area of your home screen
- Tap Wallpaper and style
- Tap Change wallpaper
- Pick a picture for your lock screen
- When asked where to apply it, choose Lock screen only
- Then go back and pick another picture for your home screen
- Choose Home screen only this time
Now your lock screen and home screen will show different images.
Where to Get Wallpapers for Your Android Phone
You have several options when choosing a new wallpaper.
Here are the main sources:
- Your photo gallery – any picture you have taken or saved
- Default wallpapers – the images that came preinstalled on your phone
- Live wallpapers – animated backgrounds that move when you unlock or touch the screen
- Downloaded images – pictures you save from websites or apps
- Google Play Store – there are many wallpaper apps you can install
If you want a simple black background, you can take a photo of something dark (like your desk) or just cover your camera lens and take a picture.
How to Use Live Wallpapers
Some Android phones come with live wallpapers. These are backgrounds that have small animations or movements.
Here is how to find them:
- Go to Wallpaper and style settings
- Tap Change wallpaper
- Look for a section called Live wallpapers or Dynamic wallpapers
- Tap on one to preview it
- Select it and apply to your lock screen, home screen, or both
On some phones like the Sony Xperia, live wallpapers have a subtle animation when you unlock the phone. Not all Android phones have this feature.
Quick Summary
Here is how to change your Android wallpaper:
- Press and hold an empty area on your home screen
- Tap Wallpaper and style
- Tap Change wallpaper
- Pick an image from your gallery, default wallpapers, or live wallpapers
- Choose where to apply it – lock screen, home screen, or both
- Tap Apply or Done
To set different wallpapers for lock screen and home screen:
- Pick a picture and apply it to Lock screen only
- Pick a different picture and apply it to Home screen only
Final Tip
If you want your home screen to look clean and organized, use a darker or simpler wallpaper. Bright or busy backgrounds can make your app icons harder to see. Many people also like to match their wallpaper to their phone’s color scheme or case. Play around with different images until you find something you like. You can change your wallpaper as often as you want, so there is no pressure to get it perfect on the first try.
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