How to Turn iPhone Photos Into Spatial Scenes With iOS 26

iOS 26 introduces Spatial Scenes, a feature that uses AI to add a 3D depth effect to almost any photo in your library. You can view this effect temporarily in the Photos app or set it permanently as your Lock Screen wallpaper.

📍 Quick Requirements & Facts

Before you start, here are the essentials.

Requirement/Info	Details
Compatible iPhones	iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 26.
Effect in Photos App	Temporary. The 3D effect is only active while viewing the photo with the feature turned on; it does not save over the original.
Effect on Lock Screen	Permanent. Once set as a Spatial Scene wallpaper, the 3D effect will persist.
Photo Type	Works best with photos that have a clear subject and distinct background (e.g., portraits, landscapes with foreground objects).

📸 How to View a Spatial Scene in the Photos App

Use this method to quickly preview any photo in 3D.

Open the Photos app and select any photo.
Look for the hexagon icon in the top-right corner labeled “Spatial Scene.” Tap it.
Your iPhone will process the image (a progress indicator appears). Once complete, tilt your phone from side to side to see the 3D effect, where the subject appears to separate from the background.

🖼️ How to Set a Permanent Spatial Scene Wallpaper

To make the 3D effect a permanent part of your Lock Screen:

Go to your Lock Screen and long-press it to enter customization mode.
Tap the “+” button to add a new wallpaper.
Choose “Photos” or “Photo Shuffle” and select your desired image.
Before setting it, tap the hexagon icon in the bottom-right corner to enable Spatial Scene.
Tap “Add” to set it as your wallpaper. The 3D effect will now be active every time you view your Lock Screen.

🔧 Troubleshooting: If You Don’t See the Option

If the Spatial Scene button (hexagon) is missing:

Check Compatibility: Ensure you have an iPhone 12 or newer and have installed the iOS 26 update.
Try a Different Photo: The feature may not appear for very simple images (like a blank wall). Try a photo with a clear subject.
Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can refresh the system and make the option appear.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a Spatial Scene with others?
No. You cannot export or share a photo with the Spatial Scene effect attached. The other person would need to apply the effect on their own compatible iPhone.
Does it work with videos?
No, the Spatial Scenes feature is only for still photos. For spatial videos, you need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Do Portrait Mode photos work better?
Yes, because the phone already has depth data from Portrait Mode, the AI can often create a more convincing and pronounced 3D effect.
Can I use it on my Home Screen wallpaper?
No, the live 3D effect is only supported on the Lock Screen.

✅ Summary of Key Steps

To use Spatial Scenes in iOS 26:

Open a photo in the Photos app and tap the hexagon icon to preview the 3D effect.
To make it permanent, set the photo as your Lock Screen wallpaper and enable the Spatial Scene toggle (hexagon) during setup.
Remember, you need an iPhone 12 or newer, and the effect is best for photos with a clear subject.