Black wallpaper on lock & home screens after update 26.3

Since update to 26.3, wallpaper is black, both on lock & home screens. If I play with settings inside Settings, not lock screen, I have gotten wallpaper on home screen but never on lock screen. Any minor adjustment and all wallpaper goes black, which is where things stand now. 13 Pro Max iPhone. Please help.

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 12, 2026 6:02 AM

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Posted on Feb 14, 2026 2:14 PM

UPDATE... I solved the issue on my phone.

Apple will never convince me that the update had nothing to do with this problem.

I checked and rechecked my settings...all looked okay.

Here's what I did...

On the lock screen....at the bottom it says "focus". I tapped it...I changed it to "work". The home screen background immediately changed to the original one I had set up. All the other wallpapers I use also changed back to their original colors!

Every time there is an update... something changes on its own!!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 14, 2026 2:14 PM in response to NYC67

UPDATE... I solved the issue on my phone.

Apple will never convince me that the update had nothing to do with this problem.

I checked and rechecked my settings...all looked okay.

Here's what I did...

On the lock screen....at the bottom it says "focus". I tapped it...I changed it to "work". The home screen background immediately changed to the original one I had set up. All the other wallpapers I use also changed back to their original colors!

Every time there is an update... something changes on its own!!

Feb 16, 2026 5:21 AM in response to Sandra_Don

I found the issue (and sadly didn’t read all the comments, so may already be noted).


It was fixed for me by switching “Reduce Transparency” off in accessibility. I had this on because I HATE the glass look of folders in iOS 26. Update 26.3 is designed, intentionally or unintentionally, to adjust how reduce transparency works and in turn force you to use the glass look. I am now off to discover a new way to make things not look terrible!

Feb 25, 2026 8:24 PM in response to Sandra_Don

Unfortunately, this appears to be a horrible update with iOS 26.3 that forces users to turn off “Reduced Transparency” mode.


Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text Size -> Reduced Transparency (off)


This is a detrimental change!! The “Liquid Glass” feature is horrible for vision and eyesight. It causes unnecessary and excessive strain on your eyes. Perhaps Apple is planning to make “eye glasses” for all of the users eyesight it destroys in the future.


I’ve been a loyal Apple customer for 15 years, but I’ve had about enough of Apple and its lack of innovation, failed execution, and boring product lineup. This may be the final straw that pushes me over to Samsung. “Rotten Apple” with this update!

Black wallpaper on lock & home screens after update 26.3

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