Switching backgrounds is an easy and free way to make your device look fresh. However, to find your favorite background, a large library of wallpaper is required. This post introduces the 10 best free wallpaper apps available on different devices, like an iPhone, Android, PC, and Mac, helping you discover your ideal visual style.
10 Best Free Wallpaper Apps
1. Backdrops
Available on: Android
Backdrops offers a large library of original free wallpaper designed by the Backdrops team and community.
Its “Explore” tab features frequently refreshed, curated collections of artistic design-style wallpapers, including modern, minimalist, design-oriented, and color-coordinated styles. You can also search for the wallpaper style you like. However, downloading wallpaper requires you to watch a 30-second ad.
The Pro version covers more high-quality collections and offers an ad-free experience for you to browse and download wallpaper.
2. Zedge
Available on: iOS, Android, and web browser
As one of the most popular wallpaper apps today, Zedge boasts a large free catalog of static and live wallpapers.
Zedge’s vast library covers a wide variety of styles, from trendy themes like comics, games, and internet memes to more “serious” elements such as sports, technology, and politics, as well as soothing scenery and animals. It also has a lot of ringtones and notification sounds for you to choose from. An AI image generator is integrated into Zedge as well.
The free version has ads and limited features. However, for a normal user, its wallpaper options are pretty enough.
3. Unsplash
Available on: iOS, macOS, Web browser, Chrome Extension Store
Unsplash is one of the best free wallpaper apps for iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV; it also provides integrations on third-party apps like Notion, Canva, and Figma.
Unsplash focuses on more professional photography, featuring content such as fashion, architecture, portraits, 3D renders, and landscapes. It’s perfect for users who appreciate a minimalist style with a sense of depth and sophistication. These photos have a certain magic that makes you want to stop and keep looking at them. According to your device model, you can choose which size of picture to download.
More importantly, Unsplash allows you to download pictures without ads. It also has a Pro version that provides more photos.
4. Irvue
Available on: macOS
Designed for Mac users, Irvue gains wallpaper from the Unsplash library, but it specializes in background management and automation.
Irvue can automatically change wallpapers, customize the source of themes, and even supports multiple monitors, Retina displays, and menu bar controls. In other words, Unsplash is a place to find images, while Irvue is a tool to enjoy them.
At the same time, Irvue has no ads, keeping the interface clean. However, the free version has some limitations, such as a restricted number of channels you can add or certain advanced features being locked.
5. Wallcraft
Available on: iOS and Android
Wallcraft is also one of the best free wallpaper apps for iOS and Android that offer live wallpapers.
Just like Zedge, Wallcraft offers eye-popping wallpaper categories, such as Manga, animal, abstract, nature, technology, cyberpunk, and more. Resolutions range from HD to 8K, catering to the needs of different devices. Meanwhile, its content library is regularly updated.
However, in the free version, you will encounter ads when tapping on a wallpaper or downloading it. Only subscribing to a Pro version can ensure a smooth experience.
6. Walpy
Available on: Android, iOS, macOS, and visionOS
Walpy is another great background app that provides various styles of static and live wallpaper in 4K HD. Its wallpaper styles are diverse, including minimalist, natural landscapes, urban architecture, anime, abstract art, and more, catering to different aesthetic preferences.
This app has very few ads compared to other options. Meanwhile, its free version covers most of its features, so there’s no need to upgrade to the Pro version for users on a budget.
7. Muzei
Available on: Android
Muzei is a free and open-source live wallpaper app designed for Android users. Its name originates from the Russian word “музей,” meaning “museum,” and aims to bring world-renowned artworks to your mobile screen.
To highlight desktop icons and widgets, Muzei blurs and dims the wallpaper; you can view the full image by double-clicking the wallpaper or opening the Muzei app.
Muzei automatically updates wallpapers daily, showcasing classic artworks from platforms like WikiArt.org, such as Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” You can also use photos from your own gallery as wallpaper.
8. Walli
Available on: Android and iOS
Walli is a high-quality wallpaper app available for both iOS and Android devices, featuring wallpapers created by professional artists from around the world.
Similar to Wallcraft, Walli offers a wide range of eye-catching categories, including photography, illustration, digital art, abstract, and more. All wallpapers are carefully selected, with resolutions ranging from HD to 4K, ensuring crisp and vibrant displays on different devices. The content library is regularly updated with fresh wallpapers.
In the free version, Walli is completely functional, but some features, like playlist customization or accessing certain wallpapers, may require a premium subscription. Subscribing to Walli Premium unlocks all features and supports the artists behind the wallpapers.
9. Vaporwave Wallpapers
Available on: iOS, Android, and Web
Vaporwave Wallpapers are a popular choice for users who love retro aesthetics and digital art inspired by the 1980s and 1990s. Featuring pastel colors, neon grids, VHS-style visuals, and surreal landscapes, these wallpapers create a unique and nostalgic vibe for your devices.
These wallpaper collections often come in high resolutions, from HD up to 4K, making them suitable for smartphones, tablets, and desktops alike. New Vaporwave wallpapers are regularly added to keep your screen fresh and visually striking.
While most wallpapers are free to download, some platforms or apps may offer premium packs that unlock exclusive designs or remove ads for a smoother experience.
10. Resplash
Available on: Android
Resplash is a high-quality wallpaper app for Android devices that provides access to thousands of free photos from Unsplash, one of the most popular royalty-free photo platforms.
Resplash offers a wide range of wallpaper categories, including nature, urban landscapes, abstract art, technology, animals, and more. All images are in high resolution, ensuring crisp and vibrant displays on all devices. The library is frequently updated with fresh content, keeping your home and lock screens visually appealing.
The app is free to use, but users may encounter occasional ads. Advanced features, such as offline downloads and favorites management, can be unlocked through optional in-app purchases.
Tip: There are many other wallpaper websites, while some may be geo-restricted in your region. To access them, try using a reliable VPN. LightningX VPN is a great tool, offering robust security, excellent performance, and rich features. It features 2,000+ servers in 70+ countries. You can use it on all popular devices. It allows 3 simultaneous connections.
Where Else Can I Get Free Wallpapers?
Another way to get free wallpapers is through social media platforms. Apps like Pinterest, Instagram, Red Note, and TikTok provide a variety of images that can be used as wallpapers.
However, wallpapers obtained through social media may come with some drawbacks. Many images are compressed or low-resolution, making them less suitable for HD or large-screen devices. Additionally, some images may not have proper usage permissions, creating potential copyright issues.
To get the best results, try searching for specific keywords on Pinterest or following Instagram accounts that specialize in high-quality wallpapers. On TikTok or Red Note, you can capture still images from videos, but always be mindful of copyright restrictions.
If you are looking for high-quality, royalty-free wallpapers that are safe to use, consider the platforms we mentioned above. These apps provide a vast library of free images in HD and 4K resolution, making it easy to download and set wallpapers for any device.
Conclusion
Choosing your favorite backgrounds from our pick of the 10 best free wallpaper apps for different platforms. Then, enjoy the new look that can compare to purchasing a new device!
