iOS 26 introduces Spatial Wallpapers that shift and move as you tilt your iPhone, creating a layered 3D illusion right on your Lock Screen.
iOS 26 is now available to supported iPhones, and alongside the cool new visual effects thanks to Liquid Glass, you also have a new 3D (Spatial) Wallpaper feature. The feature brings your Lock Screen to life: it adds depth and parallax movements to your photos.
The new feature allows you to shake things up on your Lock Screen wallpaper. With it, when you tilt or move your iPhone, elements in the wallpaper subtly shift, and thus you have a layered 3D illusion. And it looks amazing.
First off, you have to choose a suitable wallpaper. Not every photo will support the 3D effect. Choose a photo that has clear depth, like portrait images, objects in the foreground, or a landscape.
Then, here's how to set it up:
It's important to note once again that not all photos support the 3D effect. Also, if you have Low Power Mode enabled or if you have reduced motion on your iPhone, the effects may not be visible. Moreover, the feature would work best with newer iPhone models, like the iPhone 13 and later.
Once it's set up, when you tilt your iPhone, the background behind your subject should move. It's a very cool effect!
I'm really into looks, and I appreciate very much that Apple is uniting all its OSes with a consistent look and theme. So far, haven't updated my Mac yet (laziness), but I've been loving the experience on my iPhone. I'm usually skeptical about redesigns, but ever since I saw the new Liquid Glass look during WWDC 2025, I was excited to try it out.