How to Make a Live Wallpaper on iPhone

By Brian Published March 22, 2023

How to Make a Live Wallpaper on iPhone
How to Make a Live Wallpaper on iPhone

Inside This Article

Give your smartphone device an exciting makeover! With live wallpapers, you can add a unique and lively touch to the home screen of your device with more than just still images. Not only are these animated live wallpapers fun to customize, but they also move when you interact with them, and setting up is surprisingly simple too!

If you want to try something new with your lock screen, look no further! Get ready for a step-by-step guide on how to create personalized live wallpaper on your iPhone by utilizing Live Photos and third-party apps from this helpful article.

If you prefer to use Android smartphones check out our article on How To Make a Live Wallpaper on Android!

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can create animated live wallpapers with their own images using the Live Photo feature. This can easily be set as your own live wallpaper through the Settings app or Photos app.
  • TikToks, GIFs, and videos can be converted into live wallpapers for iPhones. But these live wallpapers are only functional for your phone's lock screen not including your home screen.

How to Make a Live Photo Your iPhone Live Wallpaper

For iPhone users, you can easily create an animated live wallpaper with your own images without the fuss of downloading a third-party app. Thanks to the Live Photo feature available on iPhones (6s and later models) which records a short clip before and after you take a photo. You're free to set these live photos as your locks screen but not your home screen.

If you’re wondering how to make a live photo your iPhone wallpaper, here’s how:

  1. Go to the Settings app > Wallpaper.
  2. Tap Choose a New Wallpaper.
  3. Select Live. 
  4. Browse available live wallpapers or from your camera roll.
  5. Tap the wallpaper you want to use.
  6. Adjust the image.
  7. Tap Set. You can select Set Lock Screen, Set Home Screen, or Set Both.

With just a long press of the lock screen, you can view your amazing iPhone live wallpapers that will bring new life to your device.

Note: 

  • Live wallpaper animations only work for the lock screen.
  • The steps above are recommended for devices with iOS 13 and iOS 14. Unfortunately, the live wallpaper feature will be unavailable if you’ve already updated your device to iOS 16.

At the same time, you can also directly use live photos as live wallpapers directly from the Photos app. Start by choosing your new wallpaper in the Photos app. Then click the Share icon and choose Use as Wallpaper. Then select Live Photo to use the live photo version so that it actually moves on your phone. Make any last adjustments you'd like, then hit Set and enjoy your iPhone lock screen.

How to Convert TikToks, GIFs, and Videos to a Live Wallpaper

Aside from live photos from your camera roll, you can also make a live wallpaper with TikTok clips, GIFs, and videos. Below are different guides on how to make a live photo wallpaper for iPhones:

Create Live Wallpaper With TikToks

Spice up your phone with the latest and trendiest live wallpapers - TikToks! Turn any of your favorite clips into lively wallpapers with the steps below.

  1. Install the TikTok app and sign in to your account. 
  2. Open the video you want to use (must be taken from a public account).
  3. Click the Share icon on the right side of the video.
  4. Hit the Live Photo option. This converts the clip into a live photo which will then be saved in your camera roll. 

You can set it as your wallpaper from the camera roll or you can go to Settings > Wallpaper and from there set the live photo as your iPhone live wallpaper.

Make Live Wallpapers With GIFs (using the GIPHY app)

Transform your device from dull to dynamic! With just a few taps, you can use GIPHY to create live wallpapers on iPhone out of any GIF. Bring some life and personality into the palm of your hand with this fun and easy way to customize. Just follow the steps below!

  1. Install the GIPHY app and log into your account. 
  2. Select the GIF you want to use as a live wallpaper. 
  3. Click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen and tap on the Convert to Live Photo option.
  4. Select between Save as Live Photo (Full Screen) or Save as Live Photo (Fit to Screen).
  5. You can find the live photo in your photo library where you can directly set it as a wallpaper or through Settings > Wallpaper.

If you're curious to learn more about using GIFs as a custom live wallpaper, we've got an extensive guide on How to Make a GIF Your Wallpaper on iPhone!

Make Live Wallpapers With Videos (using the VideoToLive app)

Transform your favorite videos into an exciting, interactive live wallpaper with the tap of a few buttons! Just download VideoToLive from the App Store for free and you can let your creativity come to life by adding amazing filters and effects. Let every glance at your iPhone be filled with eye-catching visuals tailored to suit exactly what inspires you.

Here are some simple instructions on how to make use of this incredible tool:

  1. Install the VideoToLive app from the App Store. Grant the necessary permission to access your videos. 
  2. Open the video library and select the video you want to edit. 
  3. Use the trimming tool to cut the clip to your desired length.
  4. Set a cover photo which will be the static image that appears when your live wallpaper is not activated. 
  5. Click on the Make button at the top right corner to convert.
  6. You can find the converted video in your photo library and set it directly from there or through Settings > Wallpaper.

Note: TikToks, GIFs, and videos converted to live wallpapers are only functional for your iPhone lock screen and not your home screen.

Create Live Wallpapers with These Helpful Tips

If you've been looking for a way to set yourself apart from all other phones, creating your own custom live wallpaper could be the perfect solution. With these simple tips and tricks, anyone can make their phone's background unique and stylish!

  1. Know the limitations. When selecting a live wallpaper on iPhone, make sure you choose one with enough visual elements to create an interesting animation. Everything from the focal point of the image to its color palette can enhance or detract from how smoothly it animates - something worth considering in order to achieve maximum impact!
  2. Choose the right image. You need to find a dynamic image that will come alive and move when you animate it. Choose something with clear objects, or even better separate backgrounds, this way each element can tell its own story.
  3. Experiment with settings. Create motion and adjust speeds to your heart's content, allowing you to create a dynamic environment perfect for any device.
  4. Consider battery life. It's important to keep in mind that live wallpapers can take up much more of your battery than static images. To preserve power and still spruce up the look of your phone or computer, go with a minimalist design featuring minimal animation.

Have fun and be creative. Let your creativity shine as you play around with different designs, patterns, and colors to produce something truly unique that expresses who you are!

Add a Personal Touch to Your iPhone's Lock Screen With Live Photos

With just a few easy steps, you can transform your device's lock screen into something special and memorable. Make live wallpapers that match the personality of your phone using features like Live Photos on iPhones or turning TikToks, GIFs, and videos into eye-catching animations. Bring life to an otherwise mundane background by customizing it with interactive images - making sure yours is one of a kind!

Further Reading
How To Download More Apple Wallpapers
How to Change the Background of a Picture