This Samsung Galaxy S24 AI feature lets you generate infinite new wallpapers – here’s how to use it

From surrealist lighthouses to expressionist T-rexes

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The hot topic surrounding this year’sSamsungGalaxy S series is their suite of new AI-enhanced features. Dubbed ‘Galaxy AI’, functionality across all three of theSamsung Galaxy S24models spans everything fromCircle to Searchto Tone Assist when typing. Perhaps one of the most novel additions, however, is the new AI-powered wallpaper generator.

While you’ve previously been able to tweak and change images with filters and cut-outs within Samsung’s One UI user experience, the wallpaper tool on the S24 series actually lets you select from a combination of prompts that refer to subjects, colors, and styles, which are then used to generate a selection of completely new AI wallpapers, ensuring a unique and individual wallpaper every time.

It’s a fun feature that adds a little quirk and personality to the suite of Galaxy AI tools on the S24 series, most of which focus instead on productivity and communication.

So, if you’re interested in learning how to put this feature to the test, read on for the full breakdown.

Tools and requirements

Quick Steps: How to make AI generated wallpapers on the Samsung Galaxy S24

Step by step guide

1. Long-press on your home screen

Find a blank areaof any one of yourhome screens, devoid of app icons or widgets andlong-presson it to bring up the home screen customization menu.

2. Select ‘Wallpaper and style’

In the bottom left,tap on the ‘Wallpaper and style’ button, to be brought to the Wallpaper and style settings screen.

3. Tap on ‘Change wallpapers’

Under your current lock screen and home screen previews, you’ll see the option toChange wallpapers – tap that. At which point you’ll then be presented with the wallpaper gallery.

4. Select ‘Generative’

Scroll downthe assorted available wallpapers until you reach theCreative section, it’s here that you’ll find an option titledGenerative, tap on thatto proceed. You’ll then reach the Generative wallpaper edit menu.

5. Choose a wallpaper template

It’s the Generative wallpaper edit menu where the fun begins. Start by eitherselecting one of the existing templatesfrom the larger previews along the toporchoose to start afresh by tapping on any one of the nine options in theCreate something newsection, further down.

6. Edit your AI wallpaper prompt

Image-based generative AI like this works by turning a description of an image into the image itself. In Samsung’s implementation, you’re presented with a selection ofwords within each prompt that you can edit, just by tapping on them. Each word you tap summons a pop-up menu with predefined alternate words, which you can combine in any order you like.

Once you’re happy with your customized new prompt,hit the blue/green Generate buttonat the bottom of the screen.

7. Choose which newly-generated wallpaper you like

After a pleasant sparkly animation that occupies the whole screen, you’ll be presented with up to fournew AI generated wallpapers, based on the prompt you just composed. Once you’ve found a wallpaper you’re happy with,tap Set.

Note:If you don’t like any of the results generated the first time round, justtap Generate againto have your phone create a whole new set of wallpapers. You can do this as many times as you like.

8. Choose where you want your wallpaper to appear

Tapping Set will bring up a preview menu that lets you select whether you want your new wallpaper to appear on your phone’s lock screen, home screens, or both. Just tap on each to toggle whether the new wallpaper image will be applied or not. Once you’ve made your selection, tap Next.

9. Preview your new wallpaper

You’ll next be shown a near-full screenpreviewof what your newly generated wallpaper will look like on your lock/home screen. You can stillswipe left or rightto view the other most recently generated wallpapers at this stage, too. Provided you’re happy,tap Donein the top right corner of the screen.

10. Enjoy your new AI generated wallpaper

HittingDonewill result in a brief loading animation, before a notification bubble in the lower half of the screen temporarily appears, stating ‘Changes applied to lock / home screen.’

Once that message fades, all that’s left to do isreturn to your lock or home screen and enjoyyour newly minted AI generated wallpaper!

FAQs

How many times can I generate new AI wallpapers on my Samsung Galaxy S24?

As many as you’d like, at the time of writing. That said, Samsung has confirmed that at least some of the Galaxy AI features which debuted on the S24 series will no longer be free after 2025. The company hasn’t yet said which features, if any, will remain free after this point. As such, it’s likely that there still won’t be a limitation on how many times you can tap ‘Generate’ to create new wallpapers, but you may have to keep up with payments for the S24’s AI features, after 2025.

Will older devices be getting the S24 series' AI wallpaper generator?

Older Galaxy devices – including the Galaxy S23 series, Tab S9 series, Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 – are all confirmed to bereceiving some of the S24 series' Galaxy AI featuresvia a software update in the first half of 2024, however, there’s no word on whether AI wallpaper generation is included in this update for any particular devices.

Can I use fully custom prompts to generate AI wallpapers on my S24?

Using the on-device implementation of AI wallpaper generation, no. The sentence structure and drop-down prompts act as guard rails, likely to keep prompt requests to the AI servers down and to reduce the risk of illicit or unsavory images being generated.

Do I need an internet connection to use AI wallpaper generation on my S24?

While network connectivity is required, the S24’s AI wallpaper generator still works when the ‘Process (AI) data only on device’ toggle is switched on, suggesting the feature doesn’t rely on any personally identifiable data to function.

Once your new wallpaper is applied, no internet connection is required.

Final thoughts

The Galaxy AI features that have debuted on the S24 series are undeniably powerful and useful, and while the AI wallpaper generator is arguably one of the more frivolous tools in the collection, it’s a great way of demonstrating AI-powered image generation, while also getting a truly exclusive new wallpaper, tailored to your tastes, every time.

You might also like

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Alex joined as TechRadar’s Senior Phones Editor in June 2022, but brings over a decade’s worth of experience to the role, with an expertise in smartphones, tablets and wearables. He’s covered keynotes hosted by the biggest brands and attended the launches for some of the most influential mobile products of the last few years. His experience was amassed at some of the most reputable consumer technology publications out there, including GSMArena, TechAdvisor and Trusted Reviews.

Samsung reveals its next-gen Bixby AI – a Galaxy brain to rival ChatGPT and Gemini

Galaxy tri-fold rumors are hotting up, so here are 3 things we want to see

Lego will let you build Sir Ernest Shackleton’s iconic lost ship, the Endurance, in its next Icons set