The iPhone 8 could be bigger than the 7, but smaller than the 7 Plus. Image via Benjamin Geskin
We pick up our phones hundreds of times per day. They’re there for us when we need them most—as long as you’re committed to keeping them charged up. Whether it’s to drop a fire meme into the group chat, post our latest and greatest fit pic, tweet out observations about our mundane real-life situations, or send an important email, our phones have become something of a close companion. When it’s not safely stowed away in your pants pocket, life seems to move in slow motion until it’s back where it belongs.
Considering that we now use our phones more than our computers, and pretty much any other device, it makes sense that we’d want them to at least look good as we swipe around the screen. The generic phone backgrounds that come pre-loaded never seem to be up to snuff, ranging from boring, washed-out bubbles to uninteresting rolling meadows that look straight out of a Microsoft XP user’s manual. So instead of relying on a perfect background finding you, it’s all on you to hunt down a background that fits you as much as it fits your phone.
While most of the photo will naturally be obstructed by dozens—if not hundreds—of icons, apps, and folders, backgrounds that are calming or at least abstract could do wonders for those harried moments when you have to respond to an extremely important message at a moment’s notice. And since you’ll see this background in short bursts between different apps, it should be something you won’t get sick of. Just like you should avoid setting your favorite song as your wake-up alarm in the morning, the same principle applies.
We used to methodically search for the perfect computer desktop photo, and nowadays we all need a reliable phone background to accompany us through the hours we spend staring at our screens. Look no further. Here are some of our favorites.
The Palms
Wanna get away?
Old Books
Remember reading books? Me neither.
Above The Mountains
For those serene moments that might inspire us to actually turn our phones off for once. Probably not.
The Northern Lights
If you can’t make it to see them in real life, your phone background is almost as good.
Stardust
Abstract, mysterious, colorful—just like you.
Seaside
You can hear the waves crashing, can’t you? It’s like your phone is a conch shell you found on the beach.
Hotline Bling
The music video that launched a thousand memes, and your newest phone background.
Beneath The Ice
You can’t deny penguins; they’re adorable.
Vice City
In case you don’t know what the ‘80s looked like, this is it.
Grid Lines
If you ever forget where on the screen to look, there are some helpful hints here.
City Lights From Space
We’re all in this photo, we just might not have realized it.
Canyons
You can always rely on someone else to capture the same scene from vacation way better than you can.
Antarctica from Space
Antarctica seems pretty chill.
Moonwalk
About 500 people have been to space. Twelve of them have been to the moon. You aren’t one of them.
Faded Roadway
A metaphor for your unclear road ahead? No, just fog. Let’s not overtthink this.
Open Roadway
That’s a nice view. Just don’t take a photo while you’re driving.
Cobblestone Streets
For that European vibe you’ve always wanted to give off.
Cherry Blossoms
The most photogenic piece of foliage provides some great background fodder.