PosterBoard7 min read

Add Animated Wallpapers to Your iPhone

Transform your lock screen with custom animated and live wallpapers using Nugget's PosterBoard feature.

What is PosterBoard?

PosterBoard is Nugget's animated wallpaper system that allows you to set custom live wallpapers on your iPhone's lock screen. Unlike Apple's limited Live Photos feature, PosterBoard supports:

  • Custom video files converted to animations
  • Community-created animated wallpapers
  • Looping animations
  • Higher quality than Live Photos

Compatibility

  • iOS Version: 17.0 and later (including iOS 18+)
  • Devices: All iPhones supported by Nugget
  • Note: PosterBoard works on all iOS versions that Nugget supports, unlike MobileGestalt features

Method 1: Using Community Wallpapers

The easiest way to get started is with pre-made animated wallpapers from the community.

1

Open PosterBoard Tab

Connect your device to Nugget and navigate to the "PosterBoard" section in the sidebar.

2

Browse Community Wallpapers

Click on "Community Wallpapers" or "Browse" to see available animated wallpapers created by other users.

3

Select a Wallpaper

Preview different wallpapers and select one you like. You can preview how it will look on your lock screen.

4

Apply the Wallpaper

Click "Apply" to set the wallpaper. Nugget will install it to your device, which may take a minute.

5

Set as Lock Screen

After applying, go to Settings → Wallpaper on your iPhone and select the new animated wallpaper as your lock screen.

Method 2: Converting Your Own Videos

Want to use your own videos as animated wallpapers? Here's how:

1

Prepare Your Video

Choose a video that will work well as a wallpaper:

  • Vertical/portrait orientation (9:16 aspect ratio)
  • Short duration (3-10 seconds ideal)
  • Seamless loop works best
  • MP4 or MOV format
2

Import to PosterBoard

In Nugget's PosterBoard section, click "Import Video" or "Convert Video" and select your video file.

3

Adjust Settings

Configure the conversion settings:

  • Trim the video to the desired length
  • Adjust quality/file size balance
  • Enable looping if available
4

Convert and Apply

Click "Convert" to process the video, then "Apply" to install it to your device.

Tips for Best Results

🎥 Video Selection

  • Choose subtle movements over fast action
  • Nature scenes work great (clouds, water, fire)
  • Abstract animations loop seamlessly
  • Avoid videos with text (may interfere with clock)

🔋 Battery Considerations

  • Animated wallpapers use slightly more battery
  • Shorter loops are more efficient
  • Lower resolution = better battery life
  • The animation only plays on the lock screen

📱 Lock Screen Design

  • Leave space at top for clock/date
  • Consider widget placement
  • Darker areas work better for readability
  • Test with your actual lock screen setup

💾 File Management

  • Keep source videos backed up
  • Converted wallpapers are stored on device
  • You can manage installed wallpapers in Nugget
  • Remove unused wallpapers to save space

Finding Animated Wallpapers

Looking for animated wallpaper sources? Here are some ideas:

  • Nugget Community: Check the built-in community wallpapers in Nugget
  • Stock Video Sites: Pexels, Pixabay offer free looping videos
  • Reddit: r/iOSthemes and r/Nugget sometimes share wallpapers
  • Create Your Own: Use apps like After Effects or Canva to create custom animations

Troubleshooting

Wallpaper Not Animating

Make sure you selected the animated wallpaper in Settings → Wallpaper. Static wallpapers won't animate. Also check that you're viewing the lock screen, not the home screen.

Conversion Failed

Try a different video format or reduce the video quality/length. Very long or high-resolution videos may fail to convert.

Wallpaper Not Showing in Settings

After applying, restart the Settings app or reboot your device. The wallpaper should appear in your wallpaper gallery.

Animation Looks Choppy

Try using a higher quality source video or adjusting the conversion settings. Some compression artifacts are normal with longer animations.

Removing Animated Wallpapers

To remove an animated wallpaper you've installed:

  1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper on your iPhone
  2. Select a different wallpaper
  3. Optionally, use Nugget to remove the PosterBoard wallpaper data to free up space