has iOS 16 depth effect greyed out on your iPhone 8 or iPhone X? Here’s how to fix the lock screen depth effect greyed out.
Apple rolled out iOS 16 for all iPhone users recently, and you must have installed it on your device.
And, on a serious note, there are lots of things to cheer for in iOS 16. For me, the cherry on top of iOS 16 is the new lock screen, where there are lots of possibilities for customization.
You can set multiple lock screen wallpapers and switch between them easily, add widgets on the lock screen, change the font and color of the time and date, and even use the depth effect to make your lock screen more appealing.
However, many users have reported that the depth effect in iOS 16 is greyed out and doesn’t show an option to enable depth effect on the lock screen wallpaper.
In this article, we will show you how to fix the iOS 16 depth effect that is greyed out on the iPhone.
Why Is the Depth Effect Greyed Out in iOS 16?
Enabling the depth effect on the lock screen wallpaper will hide the partial time font behind the main subject in the wallpaper. This will make the lock screen wallpaper even more attractive. Like you see in the photo below:
If you see the depth effect greyed out when you try to enable it in the lock screen customization settings, there could be several reasons for this outcome. Here are some reasons why the depth effect has greyed out on your iPhone.
1. You Don’t Have the Right Depth Effect Lock Screen Wallpaper
If you don’t have the right wallpaper to where the depth effect can be applied, the depth effect will be greyed out.
So, you need to make sure you have either taken a portrait photo with your iPhone using the portrait mode or downloaded a depth effect compatible wallpaper from the internet.
2. You Haven’t Adjusted the iOS 16 Lock Screen Wallpaper for the Depth Effect
The greyed-out depth effect on iOS 16 could also be caused by the lock screen wallpaper not being set up correctly.
You might have noticed in the tutorials that the time fonts are partially hidden behind the main subject (person, pet, or any other thing).
So, if you have set the wallpaper in a way that the prime subject is way below the time font or really above the time indicator, the depth effect will be greyed out.
3. You Don’t have a Compatible iPhone
Yes, it is true. Even if you have an iOS 16-compatible iPhone, the depth effect may not work. In our trials, we found that the depth effect doesn’t work on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
So, even if you have a perfect portrait lock screen wallpaper, you will find the depth effect greyed out on the iPhone X and iPhone 8.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use the iOS 16 depth effect on the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. We have a solution for it.
4. Depth Effect Greyed Out on Some Objects
The depth effect works perfectly with the sharp subject in the photo. However, while testing, a person in the photo makes a perfect depth effect lock screen wallpaper.
It works with animals, mountains, trees, and similar objects. Sometimes the depth effect gets greyed out.
When such objects are not clearly defined in the photo while being captured, the depth effect will not be enabled.
How to Fix iOS 16 Depth Effect Greyed Out
If you are looking for how to fix the depth effect option being grayed out on iOS 16, we have found the perfect solutions to fix it.
Set the Perfect iOS 16 Depth Effect Compatible Wallpaper
Firstly, we recommend you find the perfect photo to set as your lock screen wallpaper. For instance, if you set the portrait photo captured on your iPhone using the Portrait Mode, the depth effect will work properly.
You can also find depth-effect lock screen wallpaper on the internet as well. Make sure that the main subject in the wallpaper is clearly defined, just like in a portrait photo.
Adjust the Lock Screen Wallpaper
Sometimes, merely adjusting the wallpaper will solve the issue of the depth effect being greyed out on your iPhone.
In order to get the perfect depth effect, you should place the main subject in the wallpaper slightly below the time font, covering only a small part of it. Check the image below to understand.
When you adjust the wallpaper, the depth effect will not show in grey and you can enable it easily.
Use the iOS 16 Lock Screen Wallpaper
As stated, the depth effect doesn’t work with iPhone photo library pics on the iPhone X and iPhone 8 series. The depth effect will not work on downloaded wallpapers or captured photos on iPhone 8 and iPhone X due to the old chip.
To enable the depth effect on these devices, you can set the lock screen wallpaper that is available in the customization.
To do that, unlock the iPhone and long press on the lock screen => Tap on the + icon at the bottom right corner => Select Astronomy for perfect depth effect appeal.
Hard Reset Your iPhone
Many users have reported that the depth effect is not working on the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 as well. In such a case, hard resetting your iPhone will fix the issue.
Hard resetting is similar to rebooting your device, so don’t worry, your data on the device remains intact.
Press and release the Volume Up Key => Press and release the Volume Down Key => Press the Power key until the Apple logo shows.
Try these test solutions and they will solve the issue of the depth effect being greyed out on your iPhone.
FAQs
iOS 16 Depth Effect iPhone X Greyed Out, What to Do?
The depth effect will not work on the iPhone X if you set a downloaded or captured photo as a lock screen wallpaper. In this case, you must configure the iOS 16 loaded lock screen to enable the depth effect.
iOS 16 Depth Effect Not Working on iPhone 8?
Depth doesn’t work on the iPhone 8 if you select the captured photo as a lock screen wallpaper or any downloaded photo. You can only enable the depth effect on the iPhone 8 by setting the lock screen wallpaper available in the customization settings.
Why Is the Depth Effect Option Greyed Out on My iPhone?
Even after installing iOS 16 on your iPhone, the depth effect option can be greyed out for the following reasons:
- You Don’t Have the Right Depth Effect Lock Screen Wallpaper
- You Haven’t Adjusted the iOS 16 Lock Screen Wallpaper for the Depth Effect
- You Don’t have a Compatible iPhone
- Depth Effect Greyed Out on Some Objects
How to Fix iPhone Depth Effect Greyed Out on Lock Screen Wallpaper?
There are several solutions to fix the issue. You can try these solutions to fix the depth effect greyed out on your iPhone:
- Set the Perfect iOS 16 Depth Effect Compatible Wallpaper
- Adjust the Lock Screen Wallpaper
- Use the iOS 16 Lock Screen Wallpaper
- Hard Reset Your iPhone
Lock Screen Depth Effect Not Working for Photo Library Pics on My iPhone?
If you are using an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X, there is no solution but to select the iOS 16 system lock screen wallpaper to enable the depth effect. Astronomy or wallpapers in the collection can work for you.
- Here’s how to set the iOS 16 system-loaded lock screen wallpaper on the iPhone:
- Unlock the iPhone and long press on the lock screen.
- Tap on the plus (+) icon at the bottom right corner.
- Select Astronomy or one of the Collections wallpaper.