How to delete iPadOS 17 custom wallpapers

Ok, using different words to describe the successful process.

1. Unlock the iPad
2. Swipe down from the top to display current Lock Screen wallpaper
3. Hold a finger down on the current Lock Screen wallpaper
4. Wallpaper animates up to allow swiping through choices for wallpaper
5. Swipe left or right to the display the wallpaper that you want to delete
6. Swipe up on the wallpaper that you want to delete
7. Wallpaper will animate up 1/4 of the way up the screen area
8. A red trash can icon is displayed
9. Select the red trash can icon to delete

I still cannot delete a customized wallpaper on iOS17 no matter what I have tried.

There is definitely a problem. This iOS 17 change was not an improvement to

Wallpaper.

iPad Wallpaper can be set from WallPaper Settings and from the lock screen. Custom Wallpaper can only be removed from the iPadOS 17 Lock Screen.

To delete from the Lock Screen - while the iPad is at the unlocked Lock Screen - touch and hold to expose the Wallpaper selection page. To delete an unwanted Wallpaper, simply swipe upwards - and confirm deletion.

What does "the unlocked Lock Screen" mean? Isn't the Lock Screen by definition only displayed while the device is locked? Screen shots would go a long way toward enabling effective communication.

This worked for me.

I had to clear all the notifications AND the iPad had to be unlocked, then touch and hold one finger on the wallpaper (not over any existing widget), then finally the UI described was triggered, then I could swipe up and reveal a red trash can icon.

It is a stupid system, but iPadOS is always an afterthought and whatever it does get that iOS already has is always clunky and silly.

To repeat for others and search engines: custom wallpapers can be deleted on iPadOS 17, but only from the lock screen, when the iPad is unlocked by touching and holding a finger to the wallpaper; this opens the wallpaper selection page, then you can swipe up and delete the custom wallpapers.

I still don’t get it….

I had the same problem but figured it out.

1. I used 2 fingers to swipe up on my screen and the screen wobbled but I could see another wallpaper next to it.
2. I swiped right bringing the older wallpaper forward and pressed on it.
3. I then swiped that screen up and a red trash symbol appeared for delete which I did.

Sometimes I had to lift the screen a couple of times but it always worked. It stayed in that mode until I went through all the wallpaper screens, deleting one at a time. I had many and I wish I could have been able to do several at once but at least I now know to delete

Thanks, Lotus Pilot.

Been gripping my head for over a day, now, trying to figure out how to delete unwanted custom wallpapers.

Your procedure worked. No problem.

It is not possible on gen 6 iPad to follow the instructions for deleting wallpaper. IOS17 is not compatible with gen 6 Lock Screen. Unlocking using thumb press leaves the Lock Screen as it is unlocked so you cannot edit or delete wallpaper. A fix is needed for IOS 17.

iPadOS17 is fully compatible with a 2018, 6th gen iPad model.

It is NOT compatible with the older 2017, 5th gen iPad model.

Do you own a 2017, 5th gen iPad or a 2018, 6th gen iPad model?

Can you, please, confirm what year and model iPad do you have/own?

The “A” model number can be found on the aluminium back of your iPad, in very small print, right under the larger bold print “iPad” on the back of the iPad.

AND/OR

Supply the “M” model number, which can be found in the Settings app, under the General settings panel, then tap About.

Your iPad maybe too old for iPadOS 17.

In Settings> tap General >tap About. See the Model Number listed.

If you Slide the model number of the iPad to the right you will see the

same “A” Model number that located on the back of the iPad.

Hey Ted. It took me a while to figure it out. Instead of using the button to unlock the iPad and going into the apps page, press you finger down anywhere on the Lock Screen and after a few seconds it'll prompt you to unlock it. Then it will open up the wallpaper edit options, where you can swipe up to delete. Hope this helps!

Thanks Jordan. With the update, my chosen wallpaper was not showing when I unlocked using the button. — It was a grey background with a song choice from my music library ready to play and widgets on the sides.

Using the “press your finger down anyway on the Lock Screen” popped up my chosen wallpaper and also reset the process so that my chosen wallpaper shows up when I unlock with either the button or the Lock Screen finger press.