The iPhone lets you choose the background images for the device that appear in a couple of locations. One of these locations is the lock screen, which shows the time and date, as well as some notifications, when you press the Power button after the screen is locked. But if someone else set your lock screen picture, or if you previously set it and forget how, then you may be looking for a way to remove that image from your iPhone’s lock screen.
The tutorial below will show you where to set the lock screen image, which also allows you to replace the current image with a solid color, effectively removing the lock screen image on the device.
How to Delete the Lock Screen Picture on an iPhone
The steps in this article were written using an iPhone 5, in iOS 9.3. These steps assume that there is currently a picture set for your lock screen, and that you wish to remove it.
Step 1: Tap the Settings icon.
Step 2: Scroll down and select the Wallpaper option.
Step 3: Tap the Choose a New Wallpaper button.
Step 4: Select the Stills option.
Step 5: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select the white, gray, or black rectangle.
Step 6: Tap the Set button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 7: Touch the Set Lock Screen button.
Now the image shown on your lock screen will just be the solid color pattern that you just chose.
Additional Notes
- The iPhone only offers a few default backgrounds, and none of them are solid colors. These single color patterns are the closest options available.
- You can alternatively choose to download a picture from the Internet and use that instead. Click here to see how to download a picture on your iPhone.
- You must have a lock screen image set on your iPhone, which is why we instruct you to use one of the plain options if you want to completely remove a lock screen picture. There is no ability to use a blank or null picture.
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