- Using videos or GIFs as wallpaper personalizes and brings your phone to life in a unique way.
- There are specific apps for Android and native methods for Samsung; on iOS, Live Photos or third-party apps are used.
- It's essential to understand the limitations of time, battery consumption, and performance before using a video as a background.
Smartphone personalization has evolved into a top priority for users who want their device to reflect their style and preferences. One increasingly popular feature is how to set a video as your phone's wallpaper , making the visual experience on the home and/or lock screen truly unique and dynamic. While the default setting for most phones is static images, live wallpaper technology has allowed personal videos or favorite content to take their place, bringing the interface to life.
However, it's important to know that setting videos as your wallpaper can affect performance and battery life , since a continuously playing video consumes significantly more resources than a static photo. Nevertheless, if this isn't a concern or you can control it by following certain guidelines, you can completely transform the look of your device.
Below, we explain in detail how to set a video as your wallpaper on the main mobile operating systems: Android (including methods for Samsung and other manufacturers), iOS, and some additional alternatives such as animated wallpapers made from GIFs or videos from specific apps. We'll also show you the pros and cons, optimization tips, and essential resources so you can fully customize your smartphone and show off animated wallpapers that few users utilize due to lack of knowledge.
Why set a video as wallpaper? Advantages and considerations
Animated wallpapers have gone from being a mere novelty to a true trend. Among their main advantages are:
- Full customization: Choose your own video, personal memories, favorite music clips, or even downloaded animations.
- Impressive visual impact: An animated background is much more attractive and eye-catching, capturing attention and setting your phone apart from the rest.
- Motivation and entertainment: Play joyful moments, inspiring messages, or clips from your favorite shows or artists every time you unlock your phone.
But it's not all positive ; before you take the plunge, you must consider two fundamental aspects:
- Battery consumption: Animated backgrounds, especially if the video is long or high quality, can significantly reduce device battery life.
- Potential performance impact: On low-end or older models, an animated background may slow down certain actions or make the system feel less fluid.
If you decide to move forward, we'll guide you through the best method and app for your brand, model, and operating system, always prioritizing experience and efficiency.
How to Set a Video as Wallpaper on Android (All Brands)
The Android ecosystem is very diverse, but generally, the ability to set videos as wallpaper isn't included by default on most brands (with exceptions like Samsung). To achieve this, the simplest and most universal way is to use specific apps from the Play Store that allow you to upload any video you want and convert it into an animated wallpaper, both on the home screen and the lock screen.
The methods usually coincide in the basic steps:
- Download an app compatible with your version of Android.
- Select the video from the gallery or files.
- Crop, adjust audio, orientation, and scale if necessary.
- Set the video as wallpaper (home screen, lock screen, or both).
Below, we present the best apps for adding videos as background music , their advantages, limitations, and how to get the most out of them.
Best apps to set a video as wallpaper on Android
There are numerous apps on Google Play, but the most recommended for their simplicity, compatibility, and customization options are:
Videos Live Wallpaper
Video Live Wallpaper is the preferred app for most experienced users due to its ease of use, comprehensive features, and the fact that it's free . This application allows you to:
- trim the video to the desired fragment and adjust it perfectly to any mobile screen, regardless of the aspect ratio or size.
- Choose any video file saved on your phone.
- Mute or keep the video sound as you prefer.
- Maintain the original aspect ratio or adapt it to the entire screen (avoiding distorted or cut videos).
- View a preview before applying the final change.
- Change settings at any time without having to repeat the entire process.
Steps to follow with Video Live Wallpaper:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open the app and tap Choose Video.
- Select the video you want (it can be one you recorded, downloaded from WhatsApp, Giphy, TikTok, etc.).
- Crop the part of the video you want to display in the background.
- Choose whether you want the sound to be on or off.
- Click the image button in the top bar to preview your background.
- If you agree, click on Apply. If not, use Settings to modify any parameter again.
This app is highly recommended because it allows for precise adjustments and is free . While its editing options aren't as advanced as a full editing suite, it perfectly fulfills the purpose of personalizing your phone with short videos and ensuring a smooth experience even on modest devices.
VideoWall – Video Wallpaper
VideoWall is another very simple and effective option for setting videos as wallpaper on Android. It works simply:
- Allows you to select a video from your device's memory and apply it as an animated wallpaper in just a few steps.
- The selection and application process is quick and requires virtually no advanced configuration.
- Unlike Video Live Wallpaper, Cropping or appearance adjustment features require a small fee.
- If your video needs to be pre-cropped, you can use additional editors like InShot or Videoshop before applying it.
Basic steps to use VideoWall:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open VideoWall and select Pick Video.
- Choose the video from your gallery.
- Confirm pre-trimming if you've done so, or select the portion of the video to use (if you've purchased the feature).
- Click on apply as wallpaper.
VideoWall is especially useful for those looking for a streamlined process without many options, although for more advanced customization, Video Live Wallpaper is still preferable.
Video (.GIF;.MP4) to Wallpaper
- Download and install the app from the Google Play Store.
- Press the (+) button to add a new animated background.
- Give the new background a name and select the file (GIF or MP4).
- Crop and adjust if necessary, then press OK to save.
- Use Apply to apply the background to the system. The app will ask you to confirm that you want to use it as the source of the system's animated background.
- You can choose whether to use the live wallpaper only on the home screen, the lock screen, or both.
This option offers great versatility for those who also want to experiment with animated GIFs , achieving even more original and fun customizations.
TikTok Video Wallpaper by TikTok
If you're a TikTok user, there's a way to use videos directly from the platform as an animated wallpaper thanks to the TikTok Video Wallpaper by TikTok plugin . Simply:
- When viewing a video on TikTok, tap Share and later Set as wallpaper.
- The application will prompt you to install the specific plugin, if you don't have it.
- You can turn off the audio before applying the video if you don't want sound.
- The plugin allows you to set it on your home or lock screen.
This is a very simple and popular option among young users, although the videos are usually limited in length to avoid excessive resource consumption.
How to set a video as wallpaper on a Samsung phone
Samsung is the exception to the Android norm and integrates the ability to use videos as wallpaper directly into its Gallery app , without the need to install any extra applications. This method is simple, fast, and fully compatible with the brand's One UI customization layer.
Steps to set a video as a background on Samsung:
- Open your Samsung Gallery and select the video you want.
- Click on the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
- Choose Set as wallpaper (Set as Wallpaper o Set as wallpaper).
- Sign in Edit If the video is longer than 15 seconds, Samsung allows you to easily trim the video and reduce it to a time frame shorter than that limit. If it's shorter, you can apply it directly.
- Balance Apply and select whether you want the background on the home screen, lock screen, or both.
Specific recommendations for Samsung:
- Videos can be used as lock screen or call screen wallpaper, but not always for the home screen if they exceed length or size limits.
- Editing is very intuitive; you can crop precisely using the cropping bar and see the result in a preview before applying it.
- If the clip is longer than 15 seconds, the system will force you to trim the fragment that interests you most.
This native Samsung functionality is especially useful and robust, and is one of the brand's greatest differentiators.
How to set a video as wallpaper on iOS (iPhone)
iPhone users should know that, unlike Android, iOS doesn't directly allow you to set videos as your wallpaper . However, it does have the Live Photo feature , which lets you set a short animated image (similar to a short video) as your lock screen background (not your home screen). Apple removed the live wallpaper feature in later versions of the operating system; therefore, only iPhones with older versions or compatible devices can use it natively, while others will need third-party apps.
Basic steps to use Live Photos as wallpaper on iPhone:
- Opens Settings and select Wallpaper.
- Click on Choose a new wallpaper.
- In the section live Photos, select the animated image or Live Photo you prefer.
- Adjust the position, duration and framing as desired.
- Press on Establish and choose whether you want it as a lock screen background, home screen background, or both (it will be displayed statically on home screens).
If your iPhone has a newer version or doesn't have live wallpapers, the solution is to use third-party apps :
- IntoLive: It's the most popular way to convert videos into iOS-compatible Live Photos. You can edit, crop, and apply filters, save the result as a Live Photo, and then configure it from Settings.
- LiveGif Discover Converter: Turn videos or GIFs into Live Photos ready to use as animated wallpaper.
- PicPlayPostMovie: Versatile app for editing and converting clips or sequences into Live Photos.
These steps apply to most modern iPhones, though there are exceptions: the iPhone XR, the 1st and 2nd generation iPhone SE, and some older models don't support Live Photos as animated wallpapers. In any case, the process is usually free, although some apps may offer in-app purchases for premium features.
Set animated GIFs as wallpaper
Besides videos, a growing trend is using animated GIFs as wallpapers. On Android, GIF Live Wallpaper is the go-to app.
- Download it from the Google Play Store and select the desired GIF from your gallery.
- You can modify size, orientation, playback speed and loop mode.
- Press on Set as wallpaper and choose home screen, lock screen or both.
On iOS, you can convert GIFs to Live Photos using Giphy or similar apps and then apply the method explained in the iPhone section. Remember to choose the Full Screen option to avoid distortion.
Tips for optimizing the use of videos as wallpaper
- Choose short videos: A 5-10 second clip is sufficient and much more energy efficient.
- Reduce the resolution if necessary: 4K or Full HD videos take up a lot of memory and battery; 720p is usually more than enough.
- Turn off the sound: This way you'll avoid distractions and save battery life.
- Avoid heavy apps: If your phone is old or low-end, trim the video first and use lightweight apps.
- Try the previews: This way you'll see if the video fits as you expect and you can crop or reorient it before applying.
- Please note duration limitations: Samsung typically allows videos up to 15 seconds long, while other apps can extend them longer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Live Wallpapers
- Can I put any video from my gallery? Yes, as long as the app supports it and the format is compatible. The most common formats are MP4 and GIF.
- Will the animated video be displayed on the lock and home screen? It depends on the app and the model. Some apps let you choose which screen to apply it to, while on Samsung or iOS, it's only available on the lock screen.
- Is it necessary to root my phone? No, all the options shown here work without root or superuser permissions.
- Does it affect privacy? No, but it's recommended to use your own or legally downloaded videos, and make sure the apps you select don't access sensitive information.
Personalizing your phone with a video as your wallpaper is one of the most innovative and engaging ways to express your personality. Whether on Android, Samsung, or iOS, there are multiple alternatives and apps that make the process easier, adapting to all experience levels and any type of user. Despite the natural limitations in terms of duration or resource consumption, the results are worth it and will make your device unique. If you have questions or suggestions for new apps or tricks to take advantage of animated backgrounds, share your experience and help the community continue to discover new ways to personalize.
