Apple is clearly in cleanup mode with iOS 26.4, and the Wallpaper Gallery just got a surprisingly nice glow-up.
iOS 26.4 redesigns the Wallpaper Gallery
In the first developer beta of iOS 26.4, Apple has overhauled the entire Wallpaper Gallery system. This is not a dramatic visual reinvention, but it feels far more structured and performance-focused than before.
The new design introduces:
- Categories along the top for easier browsing
- Dedicated photo sections like Featured, Photo Shuffle, and Spatial Scenes
- Clear, labeled collections such as Weather, Astronomy, Emoji, and more
Each category now includes a short description so you actually know what you’re getting before diving in.
Collections are now modular
Here is where things get interesting.
Instead of dumping everything into one long scroll, iOS 26.4 lets you tap a Get button to load a specific wallpaper collection. Once added, you can browse the full set. If you change your mind, you can remove that collection from the gallery with a simple checkmark toggle.
It feels more modular, almost like installing mini wallpaper packs rather than having everything permanently baked in.
There are also:
- Preloaded iOS 26 wallpaper collections
- Hardware-specific iPhone wallpapers that cannot be removed
Performance is noticeably smoother too. Scrolling feels more fluid and the layout feels more aligned with the overall iOS 26 design language.
A small change that actually improves daily use
This is not a headline-grabbing feature like a new Siri upgrade, but it is the kind of polish that makes the system feel more refined.
Apple did not just rearrange icons. It made the Wallpaper Gallery faster, cleaner, and easier to manage. If you are someone who changes wallpapers often, this update will feel quietly satisfying.
iOS 26.4 is currently available to developer beta testers, with a public beta expected soon.
