One way to increase the chance that a lost iPhone will be returned to you is to put your contact information on the iPhone lock screen. This way, the person who finds your phone knows whom to call or email to return it. We show you how to do so using iOS 4 or later.
What to Know
- Use a screenshot as a guide to create an image that matches the phone’s dimensions. Add contact info below the clock with a text tool.Save the image and transfer it to the phone. Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper and select the image.Note: Use the iOS Health app’s Medical ID and emergency contact data to access contact info from the lock screen.
How to Put Contact Info in Your Wallpaper
You will need image editing software. If you have something professional, like Photoshop, you’re in great shape. If you don’t, there are other options that don’t cost a penny.
On Windows, use Microsoft Paint. GIMP is another free option for Windows, Mac, and Linux that has many of the same capabilities as Photoshop. Choose one and open it to get started.
- Find an image that fits the dimensions of the phone screen. It makes positioning your contact information easier.
- Here’s a breakdown of recent iPhone screen sizes in pixels:
- iPhone Models
- Screen Resolution
- iPhone XR
- 828 x 1792
- iPhone XS Max
- 1242 x 2688
- iPhone XS
- 1125 x 2436
- iPhone X
- 1125 x 2436
- iPhone 8 Plus
- 1080 x 1920
- iPhone 8
- 750 x 1334
- iPhone 6, 6s, and 7 Plus
- 1080 x 1920
- iPhone 6, 6s, and 7
- 750 x 1334
- iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, and SE
- 640 x 1136
- iPhone 4 and 4s
- 640 x 960
- Open an image (or a blank document) in the editor that you chose. If your picture isn’t the exact size of the phone screen, crop or resize it to match.
- Find a place toward the lower-middle of the image for your contact information. Place it below the clock and above the place where you swipe to unlock the iPhone. Draw a box with the image editor in that area. Then, fill the box with a darker color.
- If you can, use a screenshot of the phone’s lock screen as a guide.
- Use the image editor’s text tool to write your contact information over the box you made. Choose a lighter color, so the text pops, and don’t get too crazy with a font choice. You want this to be easy to read.
- You have a couple of options for which information to provide. Use your email address, and alternate phone line that you have, or a friend’s phone number. Make sure that it will be simple for someone to reach you with this information.
- When you’re satisfied with your wallpaper, save or export it in an image format that’s supported by your iOS device. JPG and PNG are good choices.
- Transfer the image to the phone. You can do this in several ways. Connecting your phone to your computer through USB is the most direct way. You can also use an app like Dropbox, Messages, or email to send it.
- On the iPhone, open the Settings app. Find and tap Wallpaper, and then select Choose a New Wallpaper.
- Locate the image on your phone and select it. Use the iPhone’s built-in controls to adjust the image to fit perfectly. After adjusting the image, tap Set to finalize your choice.
- Your iPhone displays a new menu where you choose whether to set the wallpaper for your lock screen, main wallpaper, or both.
- Lock your phone and take a look. You should see the new lock screen wallpaper with your contact info prominently displayed where you set it.
- Apple Health App Method
- The Apple Health app is a new addition to iOS, but it’s great for this situation. As long as iOS 8 or newer is on your device, Apple Health is installed. It comes with iOS, and you can’t uninstall it.
- Find the Apple Health app and open it. Tap the Medical ID icon at the bottom of the screen, and then select Create Medical ID.
- Edit the relevant medical information about yourself. Apple Health was designed for an emergency, so adding this information might be a lifesaver. However, you only need to add one emergency contact. Your phone can call this contact, even when it’s locked.
- Tap Add emergency contact at the bottom of the screen, and then choose someone from your contacts and tap how you’re related to them. Review your information and press Done to save.
- The number you add must be saved in your Contacts for it to work.
- To test it out, lock your phone. Swipe on your lock screen or press the Home button as though you were about to unlock the device, but don’t. Instead, select Emergency.
- The phone shifts to a keypad to let you make an emergency phone call. In the lower-left corner of the screen, select the Medical ID icon.
- If you use Touch ID to unlock your phone, you can’t access the Emergency keypad until you’ve tried and failed to unlock the phone with your fingerprint.
- Your phone displays the information you entered in the Apple Health app, along with your emergency contact. Press the phone icon next to the number to call the number you entered. Someone who finds your lost device can use this contact to get ahold of you and return the phone.
- You Can’t Be Too Cautious
- With any luck, you won’t need any of these, but you can’t ever be too cautious. The Apple Health method is the only one officially supported by Apple, but it’s also the one that the fewest people would know what to do with.
- If you have a newer iPhone with Apple Health, it might be a good idea to include your info on the lock screen wallpaper in addition to providing your Medical ID.
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Find an image that fits the dimensions of the phone screen. It makes positioning your contact information easier.
Here’s a breakdown of recent iPhone screen sizes in pixels:
Apple Health App Method
The Apple Health app is a new addition to iOS, but it’s great for this situation. As long as iOS 8 or newer is on your device, Apple Health is installed. It comes with iOS, and you can’t uninstall it.
Open an image (or a blank document) in the editor that you chose. If your picture isn’t the exact size of the phone screen, crop or resize it to match.
Find a place toward the lower-middle of the image for your contact information. Place it below the clock and above the place where you swipe to unlock the iPhone. Draw a box with the image editor in that area. Then, fill the box with a darker color.
If you can, use a screenshot of the phone’s lock screen as a guide.
Use the image editor’s text tool to write your contact information over the box you made. Choose a lighter color, so the text pops, and don’t get too crazy with a font choice. You want this to be easy to read.
You have a couple of options for which information to provide. Use your email address, and alternate phone line that you have, or a friend’s phone number. Make sure that it will be simple for someone to reach you with this information.
When you’re satisfied with your wallpaper, save or export it in an image format that’s supported by your iOS device. JPG and PNG are good choices.
Transfer the image to the phone. You can do this in several ways. Connecting your phone to your computer through USB is the most direct way. You can also use an app like Dropbox, Messages, or email to send it.
On the iPhone, open the Settings app. Find and tap Wallpaper, and then select Choose a New Wallpaper.
Locate the image on your phone and select it. Use the iPhone’s built-in controls to adjust the image to fit perfectly. After adjusting the image, tap Set to finalize your choice.
Your iPhone displays a new menu where you choose whether to set the wallpaper for your lock screen, main wallpaper, or both.
Lock your phone and take a look. You should see the new lock screen wallpaper with your contact info prominently displayed where you set it.
- Find the Apple Health app and open it. Tap the Medical ID icon at the bottom of the screen, and then select Create Medical ID.
- Edit the relevant medical information about yourself. Apple Health was designed for an emergency, so adding this information might be a lifesaver. However, you only need to add one emergency contact. Your phone can call this contact, even when it’s locked.
- Tap Add emergency contact at the bottom of the screen, and then choose someone from your contacts and tap how you’re related to them. Review your information and press Done to save.
- The number you add must be saved in your Contacts for it to work.
- To test it out, lock your phone. Swipe on your lock screen or press the Home button as though you were about to unlock the device, but don’t. Instead, select Emergency.
- The phone shifts to a keypad to let you make an emergency phone call. In the lower-left corner of the screen, select the Medical ID icon.
- If you use Touch ID to unlock your phone, you can’t access the Emergency keypad until you’ve tried and failed to unlock the phone with your fingerprint.
- Your phone displays the information you entered in the Apple Health app, along with your emergency contact. Press the phone icon next to the number to call the number you entered. Someone who finds your lost device can use this contact to get ahold of you and return the phone.
You Can’t Be Too Cautious
With any luck, you won’t need any of these, but you can’t ever be too cautious. The Apple Health method is the only one officially supported by Apple, but it’s also the one that the fewest people would know what to do with.
Find the Apple Health app and open it. Tap the Medical ID icon at the bottom of the screen, and then select Create Medical ID.
Edit the relevant medical information about yourself. Apple Health was designed for an emergency, so adding this information might be a lifesaver. However, you only need to add one emergency contact. Your phone can call this contact, even when it’s locked.
Tap Add emergency contact at the bottom of the screen, and then choose someone from your contacts and tap how you’re related to them. Review your information and press Done to save.
The number you add must be saved in your Contacts for it to work.
To test it out, lock your phone. Swipe on your lock screen or press the Home button as though you were about to unlock the device, but don’t. Instead, select Emergency.
The phone shifts to a keypad to let you make an emergency phone call. In the lower-left corner of the screen, select the Medical ID icon.
If you use Touch ID to unlock your phone, you can’t access the Emergency keypad until you’ve tried and failed to unlock the phone with your fingerprint.
Your phone displays the information you entered in the Apple Health app, along with your emergency contact. Press the phone icon next to the number to call the number you entered. Someone who finds your lost device can use this contact to get ahold of you and return the phone.
If you have a newer iPhone with Apple Health, it might be a good idea to include your info on the lock screen wallpaper in addition to providing your Medical ID.
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