Lock screen wallpaper can't change and customize!

When your iPhone is locked, press the side button (lock button) once and the screen should brighten up, long press in a blank area (no widgets). I typically have to press the screen 3 to 5 seconds before it goes into edit mode and you can switch or customize.

iOS 26.0.1 / iPhone Pro Max. I can customize wallpaper from my lock screen, but my lock screen remains black even when my customized lock screen includes nothing but a background color. The same happens if navigate to Wallpaper in Settings and ...

My steps to create a simple lock screen with nothing but a background color:

on the lock screen I double tap to wake it > press & hold until I see the Customize option > swipe the screen until I get to screen titled ADD NEW > tap the + sign > tap color > select a Background Color > tap X to close color choices > tap Add (upper right) > tap Set as Wallpaper Pair > tap center of screen to return to lock screen.

Result: lock screen is black instead of color I selected.

“Lock screen wallpaper can't change and customize!: I can’t change the wallpaper and customize from the lock screen on my iphone 17 pro ios 26.0.1 .”

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For the reference:

See my User Tip for performing this on a Mac: How to Change the Login Screen Wallpaper on a Mac - Apple Community

Follow-up. Got up this morning and to my surprise and delight, my lock screen is now working perfectly. And I have idea what changed. Weather lock screen works, photo on lock screen works too, color only lock screen works. Switching between multiple lock screens works. Accessing Notification Center from lock screen works. My lock screen seems to be working properly now. Color me happy!

lilla45 wrote:

Follow-up. Got up this morning and to my surprise and delight, my lock screen is now working perfectly. And I have idea what changed. Weather lock screen works, photo on lock screen works too, color only lock screen works. Switching between multiple lock screens works. Accessing Notification Center from lock screen works. My lock screen seems to be working properly now. Color me happy!

Hello~ It was those good vibes I sent ;-) Enjoy your iPhone.

~Katana-San~

Follow-up. Got up this morning and to my surprise and delight, my lock screen is now working perfectly. And no I have idea what changed. Weather lock screen works, photo on lock screen works too, color only lock screen works. Switching between multiple lock screens works. Accessing Notification Center from lock screen works. My lock screen seems to be working properly now. Color me happy!

“Lock screen wallpaper can't change and customize!: I can’t change the wallpaper and customize from the lock screen on my iphone 17 pro ios 26.0.1 .”

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A Screenshot From Update:

As it Reads: a new tinted option for Liquid Glass,

All the more reason to submit feedback to Apple Support

That’s great news!