Learn how to turn a regular 2D picture into a 3D spatial wallpaper on your iPhone or iPad to create an immersive Lock Screen experience.
Inspired by Vision Pro, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 debut the Spatial Scenes wallpaper feature for the Lock Screen, which reconstructs depth from a still picture using advanced monocular computer vision techniques that run locally on the device without an Internet connection.
The final result is an immersive Lock Screen background that displays a three-dimensional (3D) parallax effect when you move your iPhone up or down or tilt from left to right.
To get started with 3D Lock Screens, you’ll need to update your iPhone 12 or later to iOS 26. iPhone 11 is also compatible with iOS 26, but the Spatial Scenes feature isn’t supported on it.
Secondly, turn off Low Power Mode, as these fancy effects are disabled during battery-saving mode to extend your use time.
Use 3D wallpaper on your iPhone or iPad Lock Screen
1) Open an image in the Photos app, tap the share icon, and select Use as Wallpaper from the redesigned Share Sheet.
2) Tap the Spatial Scene icon, and your device will work its magic to reconstruct depth in this normal 2D picture.
3) Once that’s done, tilt your iPhone or iPad vertically or sideways, and you’ll see the Lock Screen wallpaper move. Use pinch and zoom to adjust the image if desired, and then tap Add > Set as Wallpaper Pair.
Here’s how setting up a 3D, moving wallpaper looks on my iPad Pro:
3D Spatial Scenes wallpaper is currently limited to the Lock Screen. Even if you tap Customize Home Screen and unblur the wallpaper, the 3D Spatial Scenes won’t work on the Home Screen.
To turn off the moving effect, touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap Customize. Now, tap the Spatial Scenes icon to cross it out. You can also disable this effect temporarily by activating Low Power Mode.
Don’t see the option to create a Spatial Scene wallpaper?
You may not get the option to generate 3D wallpaper effects for some images. This happens when iOS 26 is unable to create the depth effect for that particular picture. In this case, pick a different wallpaper and start over.
To test the 3D effect without setting the wallpaper, tap the spatial scene icon when viewing an image in the Photos app, as shown below
iOS is no stranger to moving wallpapers
If you have been a long-time iPhone user, you probably know that moving wallpapers is not a new thing.
The parallax effect in iOS 7 tilted the wallpaper along with the device to make it come to life, and dynamic wallpapers had moving elements for a nice effect.
iOS 9 introduced Live Photos wallpaper, which animated when you long-pressed the Lock Screen.
And recent iOS versions feature special wallpapers, such as Astronomy and Weather, that change throughout the day based on the current conditions.
Spatial Scenes in iOS 26 is yet another attempt by Apple to breathe life into still images.
Also, check out: How to take spatial photos and videos on iPhone and Vision Pro