Clearing The Wallpaper (Bonus: Cool Trick)

Hey, guys. So I'd been wondering if iOS provides a way to clear your wallpaper/home screen background. I Googled my topic and soon ran into a website that states that iOS 4 (and apparently 5.0+ from my experience) provides no way of doing so. I didn't kill myself hunting for something to the contrary since going to Settings > Wallpaper sorta makes it clear that it can't be done. I don't think that clearing the wallpaper is asking for much so I wonder why Apple never provided a way to do so. Obviously, you can make a solid black pic and make that your background... But I think it'd be nice if OS X didn't make you go through that. Does anyone know of an unofficial way to do this, without having to make the solid black pic??

On another note, I did learn a new trick on this same webpage:

"The app switcher [double-click on the Home button to bring it up] does provide one additional hidden feature: If you tap-and-hold on an app icon in the dock area, a red button will appear over each icon. Tapping on the red button for an application will terminate that app and remove it from the recently-used apps list."

Previously, I only knew how to force-quit the currently running app, by pressing and holding the power button until the slider appears, then pressing and holding the Home button until the app quits.

Here's the website in case you're interested:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-ios-4/

It's funny, because most of us who remember iOS3 don't want anything to do with black wallpaper, as that was the only option (unless you were jailbroken).

There really is no such thing as "clearing" the wallpaper...even using a black pic as a wallpaper is still accessing an image, and yes, that's the only way to get one. I just keep a folder in my albums called "Wallpapers" (aside from the stock ones) and keep a black pic in there, along with other options.

Also funny is you just found out how to kill apps in the switcher. That was big news when iOS4 came out. Here's something I bet you didn't know....the iPhone User Guide is ON your phone. Go to Safari, and tap the open book symbol (Bookmarks) at the bottom. Scroll all the way down. See it? All these nuggets of info are stored therein.

Another tip: If you want fast access to the User Guide, once it's open, tap the "+" symbol at the bottom, then tap "Add to Home Screen". Adds an icon to your SB that will take you right there with the quickness. This works for all websites, BTW. Most will even give you a custom icon too.

Fear, thanks for writing! I'm one of those who remembers the forced black background. But I guess everything gets old once in awhile, including being able to have a nice, non-plain background--for me, anyways. Me, I'm never content with a given wallpaper for too long, be it on iOS or on my computers. On the other hand, however, I don't seem to tire of the iOS "ecosystem." (I've been a die-hard iPhone fiend since the original iPhone.) Each subsequent iteration of the iPhone (and iOS) just binds me more.

I wasn't able to find the user manual through Safari as you pointed out for me. When I open the bookmarks, I see these only: Apple, Yahoo!, Google Maps, YouTube, Wikipedia, News >, Popular >.

Is it possible that I inadvertently deleted it? Is it possible to get it back?

See you around!

Here ya go: http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/interface/

Super! Thank you much!


Sent from my alphanumeric pager. Problem?

No problem at all. Love the sig line...sent from alphanumeric pager. LOL

iBeeper. Runs iOS. It's the bomb.

When I read that in my head I heard " I beep her"

Open safari at bottom if page is an icon that looks like a book that is the user guide. Me thinks you really need it!


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Great post!Thank you for all the things learned from here and congratulations for the good work.

thanks,really helpful...

not bad