Home screen widgets, created using apps like Widgetsmith on iPhone, are handy. Yet, many prioritize customizing their device with eye-catching wallpapers. Rather than a static background, some opt for live wallpaper apps on iPhone. These wallpapers animate on the lock screen with a simple press, adding depth to the iPhone experience. If you’re like me, you’re probably seeking an easy way to set a GIF as a live wallpaper on your iPhone. Let me guide you through the process!
Set GIF as a Live Wallpaper on iPhone (2022)
Setting a Live Photo as your iPhone wallpaper animates it on the lock screen with a long press. However, GIFs are converted to still images by iOS when set as wallpaper. To retain animation, we’ll use a third-party app to convert GIFs into live wallpapers.
Consider device compatibility. Live Photos work on iPhone 6s and later, iPad 5 and later, iPad Air 3 and later, iPad mini 5 and later, and iPad Pro 2016 and later. Ensure your device supports this feature.
Convert GIF to Live Wallpaper on iPhone Using an App
1. Go to the App Store and install PicCollage’s Convert – GIF and Live Wallpaper app (Free) on your iPhone. Launch the app, navigate to the GIF tab, and import the desired GIF from your photo library.
2. Use the trimming tool to remove any unwanted parts, then tap the download button at the bottom right of the screen.
3. From the pop-up, choose “Live Photo” under “Save as”, select “High” resolution, and tap “Save”. This will convert your GIF into a live photo for use as iPhone wallpaper.
3. Open the Photos app on your iPhone and go to the Live Photo you saved. Alternatively, go to the Albums tab -> Live Photos album. Then, tap the Share button at the bottom left and select “Use as Wallpaper”.
4. On the next screen, tap “Set” at the bottom right and choose Set As Lock Screen, Set As Home Screen, or Set Both, based on your preference.
There you go! Going forward, the GIF you set as the live wallpaper will animate on the lock screen when you long-press your iPhone screen. See how it looks on the lock screen:
Use GIPHY to Set GIF as Live Wallpaper on iPhone
If you enjoy GIFs, having a wide variety of animated images at your disposal enhances your experience. With “GIPHY”, not only do you get access to countless GIFs, but you can also easily convert them into Live Photos. This allows you to set them as dynamic wallpapers on your iPhone without any cost.
To begin, simply download the GIPHY app (Free) onto your iPhone (compatible with iOS 13 and later). Then, locate the GIF you wish to use as your wallpaper within the app. For optimal results, choose a vertical GIF to ensure a visually pleasing appearance.
2. After locating the desired GIF, open it and tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner.
3. Choose “Convert to Live Photo” from the pop-up menu.
4. You’ll see two options:
- Save As Live Photo (Full Screen): Crops the GIF to fit your iPhone screen.
- Save as Live Photo (Fit to Screen): Adds back bars to cover the screen when converting to a Live Photo.
5. Select your preferred option and tap “Save to Camera Roll” in the pop-up menu.
6. Next, open the Photos app and go to the Live Photo (Albums tab -> Live Photos) you just saved, then tap the Share button. Select “Use as Wallpaper” in the share sheet.
6. Now, tap “Set” at the bottom right corner of the screen and choose to set it as a lock screen, home screen, or both.
That’s it! You’ve successfully set a lively GIF as the live wallpaper on your iOS device. The Photos app also offers an intuitive way to convert a Live Photo into GIF. Hopefully, it will add a similar tool for converting GIFs soon.
Use GIF as a Live Wallpaper on Your iPhone
So, that concludes our guide on using an animated image as a live wallpaper. Now that you understand this trick, personalize your device with it. Your iPhone deserves a livelier lock screen wallpaper. With a simple tap, you can switch to your favorite wallpaper on your iPad or iPhone. Do you have any questions or feedback about this guide? If so, let us know in the comments below.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
