How to Delete Wallpaper on iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide


Changing the look of your iPhone with a fresh wallpaper is one of the simplest ways to personalize your device. However, over time, you might want to clean up your wallpaper collection or remove some wallpapers you no longer use or like. If you're wondering how to delete wallpaper on iPhone, especially on the latest iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro models, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process quickly and easily.

This tutorial is based on practical steps that work seamlessly on all iPhone 15 models, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Whether you're a new iPhone user or just upgrading to the latest model, you'll find these instructions straightforward to follow. Let's dive in!

Why Delete Wallpapers on Your iPhone?

Before jumping into the “how-to,” it's worth understanding why you might want to delete wallpapers from your iPhone. Wallpapers take up some space on your device, especially if you have multiple high-resolution images saved as lock screen and home screen backgrounds. Deleting unnecessary wallpapers can help you:

  • Free up storage space: Although wallpapers don’t usually consume a lot of space, every bit helps if you’re running low on storage.
  • Keep your lock screen organized: Having too many wallpapers saved can clutter your lock screen customization options, making it harder to find the one you want.
  • Remove outdated or unwanted designs: Trends and personal tastes change, so removing old wallpapers keeps your device feeling fresh and relevant.

How to Delete Wallpaper on iPhone 15: The Step-By-Step Process

Deleting a wallpaper on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro is surprisingly simple thanks to the intuitive lock screen customization features introduced with iOS 16 and later. Follow these steps to remove any wallpaper you no longer want:

Step 1: Access the Lock Screen

To start, press the side button on your iPhone 15 to lock the screen. This action will turn off the display and secure your device. Then, tap the screen and use Face ID or your passcode to unlock your iPhone and return to the lock screen.

It’s important to be on the lock screen (not the home screen or any app) because deleting wallpapers is managed through the lock screen customization interface.

Step 2: Long-press on the Lock Screen

Once you're on the lock screen, perform a long press (press and hold) anywhere on the screen. This gesture will bring up the wallpaper gallery interface, where you can see all the wallpapers you have previously created or saved.

After pressing long, you’ll notice the lock screen zoom out slightly, and you can swipe left or right to browse through your existing wallpapers.

Step 3: Find the Wallpaper You Want to Delete

Swipe through your collection of wallpapers until you find the one you want to delete. The wallpapers are organized chronologically, so you can find older wallpapers on one side and newer ones on the other.

Take your time to locate the specific wallpaper you want to remove — this could be a wallpaper combo that includes both the lock screen and home screen images.

Step 4: Swipe Up to Reveal the Delete Option

Once you have selected the wallpaper you want to delete, swipe up on it. This action will reveal a delete icon (a trash bin) at the bottom of the screen.

Tap the delete icon to proceed to the final step.

Step 5: Confirm Deletion

A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to delete this wallpaper. Confirm by tapping Delete This Wallpaper. This action will permanently remove the wallpaper from your device, including both the lock screen and the home screen versions.

If you have multiple wallpapers to delete, simply repeat the above steps for each one.

Additional Tips and Information

Deleting Wallpapers Deletes Both Lock Screen and Home Screen Images

Keep in mind that when you delete a wallpaper on your iPhone 15, it removes the wallpaper combo — that means both the lock screen and the home screen backgrounds associated with that wallpaper will be deleted. This is important to note if you want to keep one but not the other; unfortunately, iOS currently does not allow deleting only the lock screen or home screen wallpaper separately when using this method.

Restoring Default Wallpapers

If you accidentally delete a wallpaper or want to revert to one of Apple's default wallpapers, you can always go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper and select from Apple’s built-in options or your photo library.

Managing Wallpapers on Older iPhones

This method of deleting wallpapers by long pressing the lock screen and swiping through wallpapers is specific to iPhone 15 and models running iOS 16 or later. Earlier iPhones and iOS versions might require different steps, such as managing wallpapers through the Settings app.

Personalizing Your Device Beyond Wallpapers

While wallpapers are a great way to personalize your iPhone, don’t forget you can also customize widgets, app layouts, and notification styles to make your iPhone uniquely yours. The lock screen customization features introduced recently have made it easier than ever to create a home screen and lock screen experience that fits your style and workflow.

Conclusion: Keep Your iPhone 15 Wallpaper Collection Tidy

Knowing how to delete wallpaper on iPhone 15 is a handy skill that helps you keep your device clean, organized, and personalized exactly how you want it. By following the simple steps of locking your screen, long pressing the lock screen, swiping to find the wallpaper, swiping up to reveal the delete icon, and confirming deletion, you can easily remove any wallpaper you no longer want.

This process is quick, intuitive, and works on all iPhone 15 models, including the Pro and Pro Max versions. Whether you're freeing up space or just tidying up your wallpaper collection, this guide makes it easy to manage your iPhone’s backgrounds.

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with friends or leave your questions and comments below. Happy wallpaper managing!


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iPhone 15, wallpaper deletion, iOS 16, lock screen, phone customization