Top 8 Fixes: iPhone Live Wallpaper not Working in iOS 17/18

Live wallpapers have the ability to add a dynamic and engaging touch to your iPhone's home screen. However, issues can sometimes arise, causing live wallpapers not to function as expected. If you're facing the frustration of iPhone live wallpaper not working in iOS 16/17/18, you're not alone.

In this article, we'll delve into the potential reasons behind this issue and provide you with effective solutions to get your live wallpapers back on track.

Why is My Live Wallpaper not Working?

Several factors could contribute to live wallpapers not functioning correctly on your iPhone running iOS 17/18:
⛔ iOS Update Glitches: After updating to iOS 17/18, compatibility issues with certain apps, including live wallpapers, might arise due to software glitches.
⛔ Device Compatibility: Some live wallpapers might not be optimized for certain iPhone models or iOS versions.
⛔ Battery Restrictions: To preserve battery life, iOS may limit certain animations or effects on live wallpapers.
⛔ Third-Party Apps: If you're using third-party apps to set live wallpapers, they might encounter compatibility issues with iOS 17/16.

8 Fixes to Live Wallpaper not Working in iOS 17/18

Let's explore some effective solutions to address the issue of iPhone live wallpapers not working in iOS 17/18. just try them one after another, until your issue gets fixed.

1# Set Live Wallpaper Properly

The first thing you need to check is that you have set up live wallpaper properly. Just in case, you can follow the steps below to set live wallpaper again to check whether the issue will be gone.

Step 1. Open "Settings" on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap "Wallpaper." Select "Choose a New Wallpaper".

Step 2. Under the "Live Photos" section, choose a live wallpaper. Tap "Set" to apply the live wallpaper to your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both. 

🚩 Warm tip: Remember, this is Live Wallpaper, so it will only animate on the Lock screen.

2# Set the Regular/Dynamic Wallpaper First

Just in case, you can set the regular or dynamic wallpaper first. Numerous users have reported positive outcomes after applying this simple yet effective tip to address the live photo wallpaper not working error.

If you're encountering difficulties with your live photo wallpaper on your iPhone, don't hesitate to give this solution a try. Just repeat the steps in the 1# fix to set a regular or dynamic wallpaper first, and then choose the live photo to replace it. Your live wallpaper should work now.

3# Force Restart iPhone

If you have set up live wallpaper correctly, but the issue still persists, try to force restart your iPhone. A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches that might be causing your live wallpapers not to work as expected.

To force restart iPhone 8 and later with Face ID, quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

4# Check Battery Settings

If you've activated Low Power Mode on your iPhone and the battery is running low, this mode might temporarily disable certain features to conserve energy. This could be why your iPhone's live wallpaper isn't functioning as expected.

To restore the movement of your live wallpaper, you should disable Low Power Mode on your iPhone. Navigate to Settings > Battery > Turn off Low Power Mode if it is enabled.

5# Disable Perspective Zoom

Perspective Zoom is a feature that gives the illusion of depth to the wallpaper as you tilt your device. Sometimes, this feature can interfere with the animation of Live Wallpapers.

Therefore, you may get out of the live wallpaper not working issue by disabling perspective zoom. Here's how you can disable Perspective Zoom: 

Step 1. Once you've selected the Live Wallpaper, you'll be taken to a preview screen where you can adjust the positioning and size of the wallpaper.

Step 2. Make sure to use your fingers to pinch out on the wallpaper to zoom in slightly. This will disable the Perspective Zoom effect.

Step 3. You'll notice the words "Perspective Zoom Off" appear below the preview of the wallpaper.

6# Reset All Settings

Performing a reset of all settings can often resolve various software-related issues, including those affecting Live Wallpapers. If Live Wallpapers were not working due to a software glitch or conflicting settings, this action might help.

It's important to note that this action will reset all your settings to their default values. This includes settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, privacy, and more. Your apps and data will not be affected, but you will need to reconfigure your settings after the reset. Here's how you can reset all settings:

Go to Settings > Tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Choose Reset > Choose Reset All Settings. You need to type your password to confirm the operations.

7# Update iOS to the Latest Version

Always remember to keep your iOS up-to-date. The latest version of iOS not only provides new functions, but also troubleshoots bugs and glitches in the previous version of operating systems, so that you may get out of the live wallpaper not working issue.

To update iOS: Go to Settings on your iPhone > Tap General > Software Update > If any update is available, download and install it.

8# Fix iPhone Wallpaper System Errors via FoneTool [High Success Rate]

If none of the solutions above work, you may need to rely on a professional iOS repairing tool to deep scan your iPhone and fix potential system errors that lead to live wallpaper not working. Here in this guide, we'd like to recommend FoneTool, a feature-rich data management and repairing tool for iOS devices. 

Download the tool to your computer, and follow the steps below to fix iPhone system errors that lead to iPhone live wallpaper not working.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer > Launch FoneTool, and click Toolbox from the left bar > Go to iOS System Repair function. 

Step 2. From the pop-up window, click iOS System Repair again > Choose Standard Mode (no data loss) or Deep Mode (erase all data) as per your need. Here we take Standard Mode as an example.

Step 3. Follow the instructions to download a new firmware file your iPhone is using > When the downloads completes, click Start Repair to begin the troubleshoot.

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with your iPhone live wallpaper not working in iOS 17/18 can be frustrating, but armed with these solutions, you're well-equipped to resolve the problem. By understanding the potential causes, from iOS update glitches to battery restrictions, you can address the issue systematically.

Follow the step-by-step fixes provided in this article to regain the dynamic and visually appealing live wallpapers on your iPhone. Remember, your device's software and settings might occasionally encounter hiccups, but with patience and a bit of technical know-how, you can easily troubleshoot and enjoy the immersive experience of live wallpapers once again.