Disable "Add New Wallpaper" from iPhone lock screen

This is a super annoying feature. Everyone when I hold my phone on the screen this idiot wallpaper change menu appears. Ridiculous! I can only exit from by pressing the lock button. Why there aren’t any switch off toggle for this settings. My gratitude to Apple’s software developer and his boss who accepted this feature w/o was option to turn it off. And also my gratitude that even in the 4th version of iOS doesn’t contain the switch of toggle. Nice job!

Under the American Disabilities Act this feature violates Federal Section 508 standards for mobility access. An option to disable this feature is a must due to the timing trigger on the Lock Screen. This is not only problematic for mobility challenged disabled individuals, it also creates a high risk a barricade for any person who may need lifesaving access in emergency situations.

I agree with this completely, as I have an essential tremor post stroke and happen to somehow keep changing the wallpaper multiple times.. before I even realise it, I am looking at a different screen or being asked to select a different option.. I just cannot get my head around something like this APPLICATION!! Why would you offer this in the first place?? Then wait for users to figure out whether they would like to change, can they change??

anuradha295 wrote:

Why would you offer this in the first place?? Then wait for users to figure out whether they would like to change, can they change??

That is what beta testing is for. Apple makes the software available for months before the final release so that people can test it and provide feedback. And, after release, they continue to accept feedback (see the link I posted above).

Done… thanks IdrisSeabright. I sent the following and invite others do the same, just as you suggested. I’d like to reiterate my message verbatim as follows:

I was directed here from a thread over at the Apple Community forum - How do I DISABLE the Add New Wallpaper from the Lock Screen

What this feature does in brief poses a violation of the American with Disabilities Act under which Federal Section 508 standards protect disabled (handicapped) individuals who may have motor skill impairment. This is truly an undue access challenge for individuals. An option to disable this feature is a must due to the timing trigger on the Lock Screen. This is not only problematic for mobility challenged disabled individuals, it also creates a high risk a barricade for any person who may need lifesaving access in emergency situations. Seconds do matter in life or death situations. Make this a top priority to update this feature and add a disable function.

Agreed. When my phone is locked, the only things I want to have access to are:

-time

-most important notifications

-flashlight

Period.

The rest I don’t want to see AND I don’t want to be able to see. We all tap/swipe/type/click by mistake when phone is in pocket or bag. So I need my phone to prevent me from doing unwanted inputs.

Changing theme is the last thing I need to do. Please, allow us to turn this annoyance off ASAP, don’t make me regret my SE 2016…

I hate this idiotic bloatware along with all the “new features”. Even the camera is a joke because it makes the thing lopsided and top-heavy. the screen doesn’t need to be edge-to-edge as it allows for excessive and unwanted things to happen. Even typing on these phones is becoming very bad. Its very disappointing to use most of the new stuff

oh, that mail app is a complete joke - so much so that Microsoft has a more useful Outlook app (not that Microsoft software is any good at all but that’s a separate deal)

Apple, bring out something like a modem iPhone 3 (maybe 5) or I might as well by a Samsung because at least we all know that stuff is awful

Badphones wrote:

Apple, bring out something like a modem iPhone 3 (maybe 5) or I might as well by a Samsung because at least we all know that stuff is awful

As has been noted repeatedly, Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions. Use the link already provided to let them know your thoughts.

And, please, don't presume to speak for everyone. I don't feel that iPhones are "awful". Imperfect? Certainly. But if you want to see bloatware, by a Samsung.

I also HATE this feature!!! I unintentionally access it ALL the time and it makes it slower and harder for me to just get into my phone when I’m trying to do everything BUT change my wallpaper. Hate it so much. Make it go away please!

Seems to be the way Apple, and Microsoft too with Windows 11, put us off disabling “cool fun” features the developers loved and added but users don’t want, is to put the fix/switch under Accessibility. It’s like a subliminal message that u have to say ur handicapped somehow and need Accessibility options to get round it.

I absolutely agree that this is not the first time they have done something like that and it does take doing accessibility setting changes to make it work correctly- but do you mean that you have found a solution to this specific issue under accessibility??

Unfortunately not yet. I spent many hours researching and calling Apple. I spoke to two very helpful women who seemed to be equally dissatisfied and frustrated by this. They took a couple of days to consult with the engineering department to see if there was some kind of “work-around” but they said there was not. They encouraged me to post on discussion boards as I suppose Apple may consult consumer requests as they provide updates etc..

There’s a workaround solution that I use to remove it.

Settings>Accessibility>Touch> Disable Tap to Wake

If you disable touch to wake you’re phone won’t register a long press that happens while in your pocket or etc. I actually really like tap to wake but I find having my background randomly changed incredibly annoying.

Apple really should give a proper way to enable or disable it.

Apple needs to

I know there’s no fix, just here to say +1 to everyone who hates this feature. I’m so tired of my wallpaper switching while I’m holding my phone nonchalantly without much pressure. Please for the love of all the things good in this world, give us a disable option. I may have to switch back to the Razor flip.

anjie_1212 wrote:

Hahahah 0-(

Cold comfort, I know.

For whatever reasons, I only occasionally have the problem so, I assume it has a lot to do with how different people handle their phones. Keep submitting feedback. Tell all your friends to do so. Apple has been known to listen.