How to set a wallpaper on iPhone (iOS 26), with depth effect

1. Save the picture to Photos

On a wallpaper's page, press Get it, choose your model and press Make my file. The wallpaper opens on its own: press and hold it, then choose Add to Photos. (Without the button, open one of the JPEG links and do the same.) A long press is more reliable than a download, which on iPhone lands in the Files app rather than Photos.

2. Add it as a new lock screen

1. Open Settings → Wallpaper → Add New Wallpaper, or press and hold the lock screen once it is unlocked and tap +.
2. Choose Photos and pick the wallpaper you just saved.
3. Pinch and drag to adjust the crop. A file made at your exact resolution needs no adjustment at all.
4. Tap Add, then choose Set as Wallpaper Pair to use it on the home screen too, or Customize Home Screen to blur it or use a plain colour behind your icons.

3. The depth effect

When the photo has a clear subject, such as an animal, a mountain or a figure, iOS can cut it out and lay it over the clock. Tap the ⋯ button while editing the lock screen and turn on Depth Effect. It only works when the subject leaves enough of the clock visible, and not with every widget layout. Abstract wallpapers and gradients have no subject to cut out, so the option stays greyed out: that is normal.

4. If it looks wrong

A soft or dimmed wallpaper usually comes from one of four settings or a file that is too small: see why your iPhone wallpaper looks blurry or dimmed. For the sizes of every model, see the size table.