You can remove a saved Lock Screen and wallpaper combination directly from the Lock Screen gallery. This is useful when you have created several wallpaper sets and no longer want some of them.
Delete a Wallpaper
- Wake the iPhone and unlock it without leaving the Lock Screen.
- Touch and hold the Lock Screen.
- Swipe to the wallpaper you want to remove.
- Swipe up on that wallpaper.
- Tap the trash button.
- Confirm the deletion.
If the Wallpaper Uses One of Your Photos
Deleting the wallpaper setup does not necessarily delete the original photo from the Photos app. The Lock Screen configuration and the image stored in your photo library are separate things.
Change Instead of Delete
If you like the Lock Screen but want a different image, widgets, color, or clock style, customize the existing wallpaper rather than deleting it. You can also create a new wallpaper and leave the old one available for later.
If the Delete Control Does Not Appear
Make sure you are viewing the Lock Screen wallpaper gallery and have selected a wallpaper that can be removed. The currently available options can vary with the wallpaper type and iOS version.
Keep the Wallpaper You Still Use
Before deleting a wallpaper set, swipe through the gallery and make sure you are removing the intended one. A wallpaper can include its own widgets, Focus association, and Home Screen appearance, so deleting it can remove a configuration you may have spent time customizing even though the original photo remains safe.