Need More Joy? Learn How to Shuffle Travel Photos on Your iPhone Lock Screen
- Updated: 12/15/2023
- Janice
Imagine waking up to a breathtaking sunrise over the Grand Canyon or being reminded midday of that unforgettable beach vacation as you glance down at your phone. I discovered this recent simple pleasure when I learned how to shuffle my travel photos on my iPhone lock screen.
Every hour on the hour, I see a new image pop up, transporting me back to the time, place, and feeling where it happened, creating a mini mood boost and sense of joy. By learning how to shuffle your photos on your iPhone, you will discover a simple yet effective way to bring a similar dose of joy into your daily life.
So, whether you are an avid globetrotter or just looking for a bit of escapism, grab your phone and your favorite travel snapshots. In this article, you will learn how to transform your iPhone lock screen into a visual adventure that will tap into your wanderlust and help you relive and cherish your favorite travel memories.
Do you have an Android phone? Jump here for a link to a video that will show you how to mimic the iPhone Photo Shuffle feature.
Table Of Contents
Do You Have to Show Only Travel Photos on Your iPhone Photo Shuffle?
When using the iPhone Photo Shuffle feature to customize your lock screen, you can select to show any photos you want. Choose from a group of people, such as family members, city images, and other options. Parents and grandparents often prefer to display photo slideshows of babies and kids.
However, since we love to travel and our trips include lots of outdoor and hiking time, I prefer displaying nature pictures on my lock screen. If, instead, your travels focus more on city trips and cultural experiences, you may want to show cities. See examples of my lock screen displaying nature images on a photo shuffle from past trips below. Jump here to learn how to customize your lock screen.
Within the Photo Shuffle menu, you can select an album you created in your Apple Photos library, such as for a specific vacation or event. Or you can manually select individual photos. Learn how to do this here.
What is the Difference Between an iPhone Lock Screen Photo and a Wallpaper Photo?
Your iPhone lock screen photo is the image that shows when you tap your iPhone, and your display goes from inactive (black) to active. It will default to show whatever lock screen color or image came with your iPhone. Or you can select the image you would like to display.
Your iPhone wallpaper is the image or default color that displays behind your collection of apps when you have unlocked your iPhone and are actively using it. In this article, you will learn how to customize both.
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2 Ways to Shuffle Travel Photos on an iPhone Lock Screen
With a few taps and swipes, you can transform your lock screen into a revolving gallery of your favorite travel memories, providing a welcome dose of inspiration. Follow along as I walk through a step-by-step process showing how to customize an iPhone lock screen. Doing this will be one of the best ways to share your vacation photos, enjoying them in a way that will boost your mood and reignite the joy of traveling.
There are two ways to customize your iPhone lock screen to show shuffled photos. The first is from your iPhone settings. The second is directly from your iPhone lock screen. See how to do both below.
From Your iPhone Settings: 7 Steps
Follow these seven steps to customize your iPhone lock screen to show shuffled photos directly from your iPhone settings menu:
1. Go to Settings: Start by tapping on your iPhone Settings app, which looks like a silver circular gear.
2. Tap the Wallpaper button: Once in Settings, scroll down all menu options until you see the Wallpaper icon. This icon looks like the white outline of a flower against a light blue background. Once you find it, tap it to access the Wallpaper menu.
3. Click +Add New Wallpaper: From the Wallpaper menu, tap +Add New Wallpaper.
4. Click Photo Shuffle: From the Add New Wallpaper menu, click the light purple Photo Shuffle button at the top to access the Photo Shuffle menu. You can also scroll down to the Photo Shuffle section. However, if you do this, select the Featured image to take you to the main Photo Shuffle menu to give you the most customization options.
5. Select your photo preferences in the Photos Shuffle menu: In the Photo Shuffle menu, choose the photo types you would like to display in your photo shuffle. For my iPhone lock screen—I chose Nature only—deselecting other options.
You can also select People, Cities, or any photo album you created in your Apple Photos library. Or choose your photos manually. To choose individual images, click the Select Photos Manually link below the Use Featured Photos button.
6. Set your frequency: Within the Photo Shuffle menu, set the frequency you would like your selected images to change. I opted for hourly. You may want to do the same or choose daily, on tap, or on-screen lock.
7. Confirm and save your choices: Tap the blue Use Featured Photos button, then click Add in the upper right corner. Once you do this, click Set Wallpaper Pair. The wallpaper is a blurred version of the lock screen image that will display behind your apps on your iPhone when you are actively using your phone.
From Your iPhone Lock Screen: 3 Steps + Follow Above
Follow these three steps to customize your iPhone lock screen to show shuffled photos directly from your iPhone lock screen:
1. Touch and hold your lock screen: Touch and hold your iPhone lock screen until you access the Customize screen. If the Customize screen does not display, hold your finger firmly on the surface of your phone screen for slightly longer until you see the Customize button.
2. Click the + button: From the Customize menu, click the blue circle +button to access the Wallpaper menu and customize your iPhone lock screen and wallpaper.
3. Repeat steps 4 through 7 in the section above.
Once you have completed these steps, enjoy the ride! Sit back, relax, and let your iPhone take you on a visual journey. With each lock screen image change, you will have the chance to revisit a travel memory and likely bring a smile and a sense of joy to your day.
How to Shuffle Travel Photos on an Android Lock Screen
Android phones do not offer the same exact Photo Shuffle functionality as iPhones. Though—this YouTube video shows a way to create a similar effect on your Android.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Will shuffling photos on my iPhone drain my phone battery?
To some degree, yes, versus not doing it at all. Though, the effect will be minimal. In exchange, the positive mood boost you will get from your lock screen rotating photo slideshow will be more than worth it.
I do not see the iPhone Photo Shuffle option on my iPhone. Why is it not there?
The iPhone Photo Shuffle feature is available with iOS 16 and later. Ensure you have updated your iPhone software to the most recent update so you have access to this feature.
Can I set up iPhone Photo Shuffle to show any photos?
When using Photo Shuffle, you can show any photos you would like. Create an album in Apple Photos in your library, add the images you want to be in it, and follow the directions in step five to select that specific album to shuffle on your lock screen. Or, instead, choose your photos manually.
Related Reading
Are you looking to have more phenomenal vacation photos? If yes, have you considered hiring a professional photographer on your trips? After reading this article, you may realize it is easier to find and book an affordable photographer than you think.
In the article “How to Find & Book the Perfect Vacation Photographer,” I share the best ways to discover excellent local photographers in every corner of the world, plus include tips for how to get the most out of your shoot.
About the author: Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog, Gather and Go Travel. Check out her bio, learn how she became a blogger, and discover how to work with her. Sign up for her monthly Discovery Newsletter to get her latest travel recommendations and how-to’s.
Love to travel? Sign up for my monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator.
Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me.
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