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How to choose the right-sized Android Phone Wallpaper

It can be a little tricky figuring out which size wallpaper will work best with your Android phone. This is due to differences in how manufacturers design their interface or desktop, and also which version of the Android operating system is installed on a phone. But, there are several ways to know which pixel sizes or resolutions you should download to your Android phone.

If you don't know the pixel resolution or size for graphics on your Android phone, check your operators manual, manufacturer's website, or cellular service website. You can also check our partial list of Android phone models and their screen sizes here.

Scrolling vs. non-Scrolling

The easiest way to figure out the best fit for your display screen is to notice whether the background image behind your app icons "scrolls", or moves sideways when you swipe the screen for a different desktop.

If the background does move or scroll along with your swipe gesture, then you will need a wallpaper that is twice the size of your screen width. Example: an Android with a screen size listed at 320x480 will need a background that is 640x480 pixels wide.

If the background image does not move with the changing desktop, then you will need an image that is the same size as your listed screen pixel dimensions. Example: your phone screen is 480x800 pixels means you should use a 480x800 Android wallpaper.

Wallpaper size by Android OS version

4.0 and up: non-scrolling backgrounds are the standard as far as we have seen. So, if your OS is 4.0 or later, try a graphic the same size as your screen pixel resolution.

Pre-4.0: Earlier versions of the Android operating system generally require scrolling (2x wider than screen pixel resolution) sized graphics... with a few exceptions.

For example, HTC phones with the Sense style user interface, do not use a scrolling background. Other manufacturers may use a similar non-scrolling interface background even in earlier Android OS versions as well. See Scrolling vs. non-Scrolling above.

Android Screensavers and Live Wallpapers

These are actually Android apps, so the actual screen resolution is used. They may or may not scroll left or right, even on a phone that does scroll a regular background. Most Android screensavers are "one size fits all", and adjust to your screen size. Some are created for specific screen resolutions.