Setting your iPhone to automatically switch between light and dark modes is a great way to enjoy both display modes while giving your eyes a break at night. However, unless your iPhone wallpapers are able to automatically switch to match each theme, you won’t get the full experience.
You can choose a default iPhone wallpaper, but it’s not your only option. The Shortcuts app opens up more opportunities, and for adventurers, there’s a jailbreak tweak that combines the advantages of both approaches.
Some have three different ways to set the wallpaper in light and dark modes on your iPhone.
Choose from the built-in light and dark mode wallpapers
As of iOS 15.5, the iPhone includes 23 built-in adaptive wallpapers. iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models feature extra light and dark modes of live wallpaper that automatically changes to match the look of your device.
These color-changing iPhone static wallpapers are similar to live wallpapers on Mac, albeit not as detailed.
How to use the built-in light and dark iPhone wallpapers
While it limits you to the default option, using the built-in option is the easiest way to match the wallpaper to the look and feel of your iPhone.
Follow these steps to set the wallpaper that changes with the shading mode:
1. Open the Settings app, scroll down to wallpaper, and tap on it.
2. Then, tap “Select New Wallpaper”.
3. To choose an iPhone static wallpaper, select a static wallpaper from the top row of options. Or, if you have a device that supports them, you can choose live.
4. Next, look for wallpapers with thumbnails, which are split and can display both light and dark previews. Click on the wallpaper you want to use.
5. In the full-screen preview, this will match the current look of your iPhone by clicking the center button at the bottom and choosing whether you want to turn perspective zoom on or off.
6. Then, tap Settings.
7. Finally, choose whether you want to use wallpapers on your lock screen, home screen, or both.
Disable wallpaper dimming
If you want to enjoy a vibrant iPhone dark mode wallpaper instead of dimming your device, there’s a setting that you have to change.
Click on “Wallpapers” in the Settings app and look for the toggle key labeled “Dark Appearance Dimmed Wallpaper” below the image.
As explained in small print, the setting will dim the wallpaper based on the ambient light around you. Turning it off ensures that your iPhone’s dark mode wallpaper appears in full, vivid brightness.
Use shortcut keys to set custom shaded mode wallpapers
While the built-in wallpapers are nice, you may want to choose your own picture for the light and dark modes.
Using the shortcut key app, you can set specific images from files or photos as your light and dark wallpapers. You can then use the automated program to run on a schedule, changing from one dark mode iPhone wallpaper to another light mode wallpaper. You need to be running iOS 14 or later to use this method.
Set the automatic switch between light and dark mode
While earlier versions of the iOS Shortcuts app couldn’t update the look and feel of an iPhone when the device was locked, in iOS 15 and later, this automation was possible.
This means that you have two options to arrange for your iPhone to switch between light and dark modes.
Set a schedule for Light and Dark modes in the Settings application (no shortcut keys required). If you’re running an earlier version of iOS than iOS 15, you’ll have to choose this option.
Use a personal auto-action in the Shortcuts app to run the Set Appearance action at a specified time. This option is not limited to two times; You can create time-based personal automated actions whenever you want to change your wallpaper in one day.
Personalize your iPhone with adaptive wallpaper
The wallpaper of your iPhone is usually a static image. But you can add a whole new dynamic to your iPhone by setting wallpaper to match light and dark modes.
Choose the method that works best for your setup and let the background of your iPhone change with its appearance.
