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How to delete lock screen wallpapers in iOS 16

Lock Screen with iOS 16 outside.
Jackie Dove/Digital Trends

With iOS 16, Apple has started treating the iPhone lock screen in much the same way as it treats Apple Watch faces: You can easily add, delete, change, or switch between them at will, directly from the current screen.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • An iPhone 8 or newer

  • iOS 16

The iPhone lock screen is the gateway to your iPhone, and before iOS 16, most users would choose an Apple-designed custom wallpaper or a personal image as a backdrop via the Settings app.

With iOS 16, there's brand new flexibility built into the iPhone's lock screen, including creating multiple screens. Some users may have overindulged by creating too many screens, with interfaces they no longer want or need. There's no need to hang on to or navigate among superfluous lock screens. We show you how to remove any that have outlived their usefulness.

How to delete lock screen wallpapers in iOS 16

To delete a lock screen wallpaper, all you need to do is access the current one you're using and go from there.

Step 1: Use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock your iPhone. This does not work with a passcode only.

Apple wallpaper in iOS 16.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Tap and hold the current Lock screen to access the Wallpaper gallery.

Apple wallpaper gallery view in iOS 16.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Find the wallpaper you want to delete — you may need to swipe left or right to find the one you want.

Apple wallpaper selected for removal in iOS 16.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: When you find the screen you want to remove, swipe up and tap the Red trash can icon.

Apple wallpaper for removal showing red trash can in iOS 16.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Tap Delete this wallpaper, and it's gone forever. Repeat these steps for each lock screen wallpaper you want to delete.

Apple wallpaper selected for removal with alert message in iOS 16.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As it currently stands, iOS 16 doesn't allow you to select multiple wallpapers and delete them all at once. Instead, you'll need to go through them individually using the steps above. It's a slightly tedious process, but if your lock screen wallpaper library is getting out of control, it's an essential tip to know.

Jackie Dove
Former Contributor
Jackie is an obsessive, insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app…
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