This is why the company has finally released the ability to customize your home screen and lock screen according to your needs. You can now add blur, use gradients, or even a selection of photos from your device as your home screen wallpaper. If you’ve been looking to blur your home screen wallpaper without a third-party app then iOS 16 is the perfect update for you and here’s how you can use it to add blur to your home screen wallpaper.
Blur Home Screen on iPhone in iOS 16
You can add Blur to your Home Screen wallpaper using either a third-party app or by using the native feature offered by iOS 16. You can use the native feature if you’re looking to simply blur your home screen wallpaper without customizing its strength and other variables. However, if you wish to have control over the blur added to your wallpaper, then we recommend using a third-party app instead. Use either of the sections below to help you add blur to your Home Screen on iOS 16.
Add Blur Using iOS 16 settings
Here’s how you can add blur to your home screen in iOS 16. Ensure you’re running the latest version of iOS 16 and then use the steps below to help you along with the process.
- Open the Settings app and tap Wallpaper.
- Now tap Customize under your current Home Screen.
- Tap and select Blur in the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Blur should now have been added to your home screen wallpaper. Tap Done in the top right corner to confirm your choice. Your home screen wallpaper will now have been blurred. You can now close the Settings app to check and verify the same on your home screen.
Add Blur Using a Third-party App
Using a third-party app gives you extensive controls when you add Blur to your home screen wallpaper. You get access to the Blur strength, radial strength, blur pattern, and much more depending on the app you choose. We recommend using Photo Director or Picsart if you wish to add Blur to your background using your iOS device. You can also add blur to your photos using a photo editor on your computer and then transfer it to your device for even more control over how your wallpaper is blurred. Use either of the guides below to help you blur your home screen wallpaper on iOS 16.
Add Blur Using Photo Director
Photo Director allows you to add a linear, radial, or brush blur to your wallpaper. This gives you the ability to selectively blur your wallpaper in case you wish to draw the eye naturally to a certain part of your wallpaper. Here’s how you can use Photo Director to your advantage.
- Download and install Photo Director on your device using the link above. Grant permission to Photo Director to access your photos based on your preferences once you’re prompted.
- Now tap Edit on the home page.
- Tap and select the photo you wish to use as your home screen wallpaper.
- Tap Effects at the bottom. A few editing tools are blocked behind a paywall in Photo Director. The Blur tool, however, is free to use.
- Now tap Blur Tool.
- The Blur Tool will now open on your screen and the radial or Circular blur will be selected by default. Tap and choose the type of blur you wish to add to your home screen wallpaper using the options at the bottom. You can choose between Circular blur, Linear blur, and Brush blur.
- If using Circular or Linear blur, tap and drag the blur tool on your wallpaper to reposition it as needed.
- If you’re using the Brush tool then your entire wallpaper will be blurred by default. You can tap and draw on your wallpaper to remove blur from selected areas as needed. Use the icons in the bottom left corner to add blur using the brush to your photos if you make a mistake.
- Use the slider at the bottom to adjust the strength of the applied blur based on your preferences.
- Once you’re happy with the results, tap the checkmark in the top right corner.
- Now tap the Download icon. Your edited wallpaper will now be saved to the Photos app. You can now use the section below to help set the edited photo as your home screen wallpaper.
Add Blur using Picsart
Picsart is another popular photo editing app that can help you add blur to your home screen wallpaper. Use the steps below to help you along with the process.
- Download Picsart on your iPhone using the link above and grant it permission to access your Photos once prompted.
- Tap the + at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap and select the photo you wish to use as your home screen wallpaper.
- Tap and select Effects at the bottom.
- Now tap BLUR.
- Swipe the list and choose a blur of your choice based on your needs and preferences.
- Tap the chosen filter again to view its customizable options.
- Adjust and customize your blur as needed using the sliders at the top.
- If you’re using Focal Blur or Radial Blur then you can tap and drag on your image to adjust the focus area.
- Tap Apply in the top right corner when you’re done editing your wallpaper.
- Tap the Download icon at the top. The image will now be saved to the Photos app on your device. You can now use the next section to set it as your home screen wallpaper.
Set the Blurred image as your Home Screen wallpaper
We can now set the image we blurred using a third-party app as our wallpaper. Use the steps below to help you along the way.
- Open the Settings app and tap Wallpaper.
- Now tap Customize under your home screen wallpaper.
- Tap Photos.
- Tap the Photos icon again.
- Tap All at the top.
- Now tap and select the image we recently blurred and saved to our Photos app.
- Swipe and add filters to your home screen wallpaper as needed.
- You can further customize your wallpaper using the More options icon in the bottom right corner.
- Once you’re happy with the changes, tap Done.
- Tap Done again to save your changes. You will now have set the blurred image as your home screen wallpaper on iOS 16.
Can I blur my lock screen wallpaper as well?
No, you can not blur your lock screen wallpaper using the native method in iOS 16. You can, however, blur the image using a third-party app and then set it as your lock screen wallpaper to achieve a similar effect.
Can I blur the wallpaper temporarily?
No, there is currently no way to schedule blur on your home screen wallpaper. You can, however, use the native blur feature to turn it on and off manually whenever needed.
Can I blur stock wallpapers in iOS 16?
Yes, you can blur stock wallpapers on your home screen using the native blur feature. However, if you wish to blur stock wallpapers using a third-party app then it is not possible as you can not download or source these wallpapers in the Photos or Files app.
Final Words
Blurring your wallpaper can be a great way of maintaining privacy or improving legibility on your home screen. It can also help you create your own style and aesthetic to customize your phone based on your personality. I hope you were able to easily blur your home screen wallpaper using the methods above.
Δ
