How to Change the Galaxy S9 Lockscreen & Wallpaper

In this guide we’ll show you how to change the Galaxy S9 lock screen and wallpaper. We’ll explain all the customization options and detail how to use your own images instead of relying on the Samsung theme store. Make your phone unique today.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ both have big 5.8 or 6.2-inch 2960 x 1440 Quad-HD displays. Meaning you’ll want to get a nice wallpaper in a high-resolution for the best experience.

Read: How to Turn Off the Galaxy S9 Always On Display

One of our favorite aspects is that Samsung allows a different image for both the lock screen and home screen. Additionally, they offer tons of customization, app shortcuts, and themes so you can make your phone as personal as possible.

With so many features, controls and settings it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the Galaxy S9. However, the wallpaper controls are pretty easy to master. Once you learn about everything this phone has to offer, you’ll want to start with something simple like customizing the lock screen and wallpaper.

How to Change the Galaxy S9 Lock Screen & Wallpaper

There are a few different ways to change the background image on your phone. However, it can get confusing because when you head to Settings > Wallpapers and Themes it goes to the Samsung theme engine, not somewhere to change the wallpaper. And when you press and hold a blank area of your screen, you’ll see a different menu for changing the wallpaper. They both do the same thing, you just have multiple options.

So, if you just want to apply your own image or photo for a wallpaper, follow these steps instead of using Samsung’s confusing theme store.

Instructions

• Push and hold your finger on a blank area of the screen
• It will zoom out to a customization menu. Select Wallpaper
• Scroll through Samsung’s options, or hit My Photos
• Now select the image you want, crop to fit, and hit Apply Wallpaper
• Choose home screen, lock screen or both

This is by far the easiest and quickest way to add a wallpaper to the Galaxy S9. You can quickly browse their pre-installed images or select one of your own. Including images you’ve downloaded, or photos from your gallery or camera. Find what you want and hit apply. This is how you use photos right off of your smartphone.

You can even use a slow-motion video captured with the powerful new cameras as a GIF for your wallpaper or the lock screen. Pretty cool, right? Otherwise, get beautiful wallpapers like mine in the Samsung theme store or download Zedge. A popular app for smartphone customization. Make sure your image is at least 1080p Full HD for the best experience.

Lock screen Wallpaper

You probably noticed in the instructions above, or while adding a wallpaper yourself, but adding one to the lock screen is just as simple. In fact, Samsung gives you the choice to apply any image to the lock screen, the home screen, or both at the same time. Follow the same steps as above for the lock screen. Press on a blank area, tap wallpapers, browse, then hit Apply. When you find the image you’d like to use and hit apply the phone will ask: Do you want to apply this to the home screen, the lock screen, or both?

Select both if you only want one photo, or add a different image for each area on the device. I have a Packers logo on my lock screen and a dark fancy wallpaper everywhere else. The choice is yours.

Furthermore, in Settings > Lock screen & security, you’ll find tons of options to change the quick-access icons on your lock screen, hide how much information notifications display, and other customization options. Check out this video for more information.

Samsung Theme Store

Additionally, Samsung has one of the biggest theme stores on Android. This is another way to not only change your lock screen but to customize your entire device. Simply head to Settings > Wallpaper & Themes to get started. Choose from themes, wallpapers, live wallpapers, always-on display backgrounds, or even change your icons. Samsung doesn’t explain the theme system, but all you do is find what you want, tap download, then select Apply.

When you first open the theme store it defaults to wallpapers. There are tons of recommendations and popular options to choose from. At the top of the page, the first square is “Your Gallery” which you can select to use your own photos, instead of the ones listed. At the bottom, are columns for each category of customization. Choose one to get started.