IOS 7 wallpaper resizing will not shrink photo to fit screen...

LiselleL wrote:

WE ARE UP TO VERSION 7.3

Really, and we skipped 7.2 completely?

I've finally made the move to 7.1.1 (as it came on a "new" 4S I acquired), After doing a restore off a fresh backup of my previous iPhone, the wallpapers are among the few things that have *not* changed. The green soap-stone like background has been on my iDevices ever since iOS 4 on my old iTouch 3G, and somehow iOS 7 knew how to render it before I even switched off all optional eye-sores. Same for the lock screen background. At least I didn't have to worry about where to find the original for that background!

Just found something that worked for me, if you have your iPad in portrait mode when you set the wallpaper (perspective zoom off, and pinch around to suit) it seems not to rescale the image in landscape mode....! I've tried this on both 2048 x 2048 and 2448 and this seems to keep the image as you set it...

Technically, YES, iOS7 is up to the third version. Add up (7.0 + 7.1 + 7.1.1) = Version 3. But then again, why get picky? Apple SHOULD be doing something about it. Why should I buy an (unworkable) app; or an iPad Air; or only look at my photos in portrait mode?

Surprisingly, it works.

LiselleL wrote:

Technically, YES, iOS7 is up to the third version. Add up (7.0 + 7.1 + 7.1.1) = Version 3.

Nope, doesn't work that way - and you're also skipping the 7.0.x releases.

Why should I buy an (unworkable) app; or an iPad Air; or only look at my photos in portrait mode?

A wallpaper isn't there for looking at photos. There is a system app for that (and countless 3rd party ones) that show your photos in their full glory, without icons and other UI elements obstructing the view. (And there also exist electronic photo frames O:-) )

The wallpaper is part of the interface, and Apple has made it even more so with things like parallax and dynamism. A debatable move, but in a sense we're lucky that this UI element is still far from being as locked-down as the other elements are. After all, it's very easy to interfere with function by picking the wrong background, and that could be enough reason to lock the choice down.

Apple is in no obiligation whatsoever to do anything about this, and I think that it's been safe for a while already that chances are more than slim that iOS 7 will get iOS 6 style wallpapers. The only thing we can hope is that iOS8 will be like Win7 was to Vista ...

You're right. Apple has no obligation to do anything about this. We, as consumers, have no obligation to Apple to keep purchasing and using their products either. I could have spent hundreds less on an Android tablet that would have no problem setting a photo (properly) as wallpaper like EVERY FLIP PHONE HAS DONE FOR OVER TEN YEARS. Operating systems are made with the goal of making its users lives easier, not forcing a sense of stylized "function" down their throats. To imply that users are in the wrong for wanting something so simple is asinine. "A wallpaper isn't there for looking at photos." What a pompous statement. What if I want to see a picture of my family on the lock screen? This is basic stuff. This is something I could do on a PC I bought twenty years ago. Either it's fixed or I'm selling my iPad.

I can't believe the whinging on this thread....you only need to alter one picture for the background not hundreds...all other photos can be viewed without any hassle and a simple app like Wallpaper Fix works really well....I don't intend changing my background every minute of the day.....and as for selling it....what's the alternative.....android? Well, I too thought I would give Apple a miss and I bought a Samsung Galaxy tab 7.7, which was the best of all the tabs at the time but I've had to give in...the iPad Air is just far, far superior.

SteveMcQwark' suggestion worked for me but this whole thing is really funny and sad at Same time. 60 pages of people complaining with no fix from apple ....

I totally agree. It doesn't matter how minor an issue some think it. 60 pages of complaints for over a year is ridiculous. Especially with a company like Apple. They used to set the standard in customer satisfaction.

It used to work, now it doesn't. How hard can it be to fix it? I used to be able to use photos of all shapes and sizes and they looked decent. As a consumer I shouldn't have to go out of my way to manipulate my pics. Especially to use in a feature that has been a standard for years. Setting something as basic as your wallpaper shouldn't be a chore.

I absolutely loved my iPad up until the last few updates. Seems to to get worse with each one.

I'll look for Steve's solution.

Thank you. Who would have ever thought that a workaround would be needed for something as basic as wallpaper. Especially for a product made by Apple. They should be embarrassed.

I'd still say Apple sets the standard, considering they've been number one in JD Powers custmomer satisfaction nine times consecutively. However very annoying issue still with the wallpaper.

apple.com/feedback is still the best place to go and tell them things you think should improve as legit Apple people don't go on here.

Just to add my experience. I strongly agree with the view that Apple has got it seriously wrong in failing to listen to its customers in this matter. I unfortunately changed my wallpaper yesterday. It did not work and when I tried to return to my old pre 7 series software wallpaper, that had been working fine up till that point under the latest software, this also no longer worked. After reading through the contents of this blog and looking at the various apps that seem to offer part solutions to the problem I have found this following recipe works for me.

Using a PC.

Load Photoshop Elements or similar

Resize the canvas size of the image scaling by 100 percent all round. I use black for the colour of the additional canvas.

Save

Send to IPad as full size attachment

Save image on IPad

Open then select to use as Wallpaper

Adjust to size

I find that there is no need to change the perspective settings and the wallpaper now works fine.

I suspect that based on the aforesaid discussion this may not work for all but for me working in landscape mode and with standard format pictures of about 12 megapixel this appears to work fine.

Once again it is a work around and not what, prior to becoming an IPad user, I would have expected from Apple.

Reported feedback at apple.com/feedback. Still, this thread is 9 months old and issue still persists. Considering this is a feautre that most ios users really enjoy as it is "personal", it's pretty sad Apple has yet to address this.

I've been following this thread for months (after having adopted a workaround and not having dared to change anything since). It's amusing and sad and indicative all at the same time.

I have used Apple products for 30 years and, boy, have things changed. The disinterest demonstrated in this matter speaks volumes. Lately, it seems to me there's something rather tyrannical about the way Apple operates.

The wallpaper resize issue leads me to two observations:

1) Apple doesn't care what you, the consumer, wants. Instead, they want you to need what they want (and sell).

2) Third party apps have been created to resolve this issue. Apple makes money off third party apps. Apple has zero incentive to correct this situation.

Good luck to all. Do not expect a fix.

I'm sorry to say I now agree. there will be no fix. I'm stunned that Apple has taken this approach. that said I'm also distressed that I haven't found even a PAID fix that works in landscape without a lot of work. my post on this was last year so maybe I've missed something. if anyone has found an app that works in landscape in a SINGLE step I'd appreciate knowing the name. I've tried the early versions no help. PLEASE don't anyone start posting a bunch of work arounds. we've seem them all and they don't work. thanks.