Users have been complaining about blurry wallpapers on iOS 17. While stock wallpapers look okay, using a custom image causes the background or the entire picture to be blurry.
If you’re experiencing the same thing, we got you covered.
In this guide, I’ll show you some workarounds to get a nice and clear wallpaper on your iPhone.
TL;DR Version
Here are some workarounds if your wallpaper keeps blurring out on iOS 17:
Before Anything: Check the Image You’re Using
While blurry wallpapers are a confirmed issue on iOS 17, it’s a good idea to check whether what you’re experiencing is an actual bug.
Go to your gallery and check the image you’re trying to set as wallpaper to ensure that it’s not blurry.
1. Use the Correct Wallpaper Size
If you want a perfect-fit wallpaper, you need to resize the image you want to use to the specific format your iPhone uses.
You can check out this guide to know the wallpaper size that fits your iPhone.
With a perfect-fit wallpaper, you don’t have to zoom in/out the image, which triggers the ”blurry top part” issue.
Note
For iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models, the wallpaper resolution is 1290 x 2796 pixels.
2. Use Plain Colors
While waiting for Apple to release an official fix, I suggest using plain colors or images with fewer details as wallpaper.
This way, you won’t notice the blur effect that is being applied to the wallpaper.
3. Use the Photos App
One user suggested using the Photos app to set a custom wallpaper on your iPhone. This was also tagged helpful by many users, so I suggest trying it for yourself.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Photos app and find the image you want to use.
- Now, tap on Edit.
- Tap the Crop icon.
- Select the Standard Preset option.
- Choose Wallpaper and adjust the image.
- Save the changes.
Try setting the image as wallpaper again to check if the top portion is still blurry.
4. Update Your iPhone
Apple may have released an update to patch the blurry wallpaper issue on iOS 17.
Check if there are available software updates for your iPhone and install them to fix bugs and errors.
Follow the steps below to update your iPhone:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General > Software Update.
- If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Download and Install.
- Once the new software is ready, follow the prompts to install the update.
Note
- Your device can restart several times while installing the update.
- Ensure your iPhone has at least 50% battery before installing updates. It’s best to keep your device plugged into the wall charger to avoid interruptions.
- Allow at least 15 minutes for the update to install, especially if it’s a major update (iOS 15 to iOS 16).
To avoid missing future updates, enable automatic updates on your iPhone:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
- Enable Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.
FAQs
Why is iOS 17 blurring my wallpaper?
iOS 17 automatically blurs your wallpaper when you zoom in or out of an image while setting it. To avoid this, do not zoom in or out the image or use a custom-sized wallpaper that will fit your iPhone’s screen.
How do I turn off depth effect on iOS 17?
To turn off the depth effect on your lock screen:
- Unlock your iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID.
- Now, long-press on your lock screen to access the Lock Screen Gallery.
- Select your current lock screen and tap Customize.
- Tap the triple dot icon on the lower right side.
- Tap on Depth Effect to disable it.
How do you change the background on iOS 17?
To change the background on your iPhone, you need to:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Wallpaper.
- Tap on Add New Wallpaper.
- Set your preferred wallpaper.
Why is my iPhone wallpaper blurry at the top?
This is a new feature in iOS 17. If you zoom in or out of an image while setting a wallpaper, it automatically blurs the top part to display the clock and date clearly.