To get a 4K or HD wallpaper on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, find a high-resolution image (at least 1290 x 2796 pixels, the phone’s screen resolution) from a trusted source such as Apple’s built-in collections, Unsplash, or Pexels. Save it to Photos by touching and holding the image and tapping Save to Photos (or Add to Photos). Then open the photo, tap the Share button, choose Use as Wallpaper, adjust it, and tap Add.
Here’s where to find sharp, safe wallpapers, how to set them on your Lock Screen and Home Screen, and how to keep them from looking blurry.
What resolution do you need?
| iPhone | Screen resolution | Recommended wallpaper size |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max / 15 Plus | 1290 x 2796 | 1290 x 2796 or larger (4K images are fine) |
| iPhone 15 Pro / 15 | 1179 x 2556 | 1179 x 2556 or larger |
A “4K” image (3840 pixels on its long side) is larger than the screen, which gives you room to zoom or reposition without losing sharpness.
Where to find high-quality wallpapers
- Built-in wallpapers: Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper includes Astronomy, Weather, Emoji, Collections, and Apple’s original designs, all perfectly sized.
- Free photo sites: Unsplash and Pexels offer free, high-resolution photos you can use as wallpapers.
- Your own photos: iPhone 15 Pro Max photos are 12 MP or higher, which is plenty sharp.
- Wallpaper apps: Choose well-reviewed apps and watch for subscription prompts.
Avoid sites that bombard you with pop-ups or ask you to install profiles or apps to download an image. You never need either to save a wallpaper.
How to save a wallpaper from Safari
- Open the image at its full size (tap the Download or full-resolution link, not the thumbnail).
- Touch and hold the image.
- Tap Save to Photos. If it downloads as a file instead, open the Files app > Downloads, open the image, tap Share, and choose Save Image.
How to set it as your wallpaper
- Open the photo in Photos.
- Tap the Share button, then Use as Wallpaper.
- Pinch and drag to position it. Swipe to try photo styles, and tap the three-dot menu to turn Depth Effect on or off.
- Tap Add, then choose Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen to use a different Home Screen background.
For more ways to customize, see how to change the Home Screen on iPhone.
Tips for a great-looking wallpaper
- Always-On display: On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, dark wallpapers look best with the Always-On display and use a bit less power.
- Depth Effect: Works best with a clear subject (like a person or mountain) and room at the top for the clock.
- Blurry wallpaper? The image is too small or was saved as a thumbnail. Find a larger version.
- Photo Shuffle: In Add New Wallpaper, choose Photo Shuffle to rotate through favorite photos automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Are 4K wallpapers worth it on iPhone?
Anything at or above 1290 x 2796 looks sharp on the 15 Pro Max. 4K just gives extra room to crop.
Can I use live or video wallpapers?
iOS doesn’t support video wallpapers on the Lock Screen. You can use Live Photos in some iOS versions, and third-party apps can convert short videos to Live Photos.
Is it legal to use any image as my wallpaper?
Personal use of images for your own wallpaper is generally fine, but free photo sites and official sources are the safest choice.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.