The fastest way depends on your device

Changing your lock screen picture takes between one and three minutes on any modern device. Windows and Mac let you do it through Settings. iPhone uses the Lock Screen app or Settings, depending on your iOS version. Android varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and others each have their own path, though all of them start in Settings.

The steps below cover the most common devices. If you use a less common phone or an older operating system, the general principle is the same: open Settings, find Display or Lock Screen, and choose an image from your photo library or the built-in options.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 users open Settings, go to Personalization > Lock Screen, and select a new image from the dropdown or upload their own photo.
  • Mac users go to System Settings > Lock Screen, click the image preview, and choose a photo from their library or iCloud Photos.
  • iPhone 16 and newer use the dedicated Lock Screen app; iPhone 15 and older use Settings > Wallpaper > Lock Screen.
  • Android phones start in Settings > Display > Lock Screen or Wallpaper, though the exact path varies by Samsung, Google, or other manufacturers.
  • You can use any photo from your device's photo library, a screenshot, or a built-in image that came with your device.

Windows 11: Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start menu and type "Settings". In the left sidebar, click Personalization. Then click Lock Screen.

You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top. Below it is a dropdown menu labeled "Personalize your lock screen". Click it and choose from the built-in options — Windows offers several default images. If you want to use your own photo, select "Browse" or "Picture" (the exact label depends on your Windows version), then navigate to the folder where your photo is saved and click it.

The change takes effect when ready. The next time your screen locks, you will see the new image.

Mac: System Settings > Lock Screen

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Lock Screen.

You will see a preview of your current lock screen. Click the image preview itself — not a button next to it, but the picture. A window will open showing your photo library. Select any photo and click Set. If you want to browse your entire photo library instead of recent photos, click the Photos app icon at the bottom of the window.

You can also choose from Apple's built-in images by clicking the dropdown that says "Dynamic" or "Still" at the top of the preview. Mac will explore the new image to your lock screen right away.

iPhone 16 and newer: Use the Lock Screen app

iPhone 16 and iOS 18 added a dedicated Lock Screen app. Open it from your home screen — it looks like a phone with a lock symbol. Tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom to create a new lock screen, or tap an existing one to edit it.

Tap "Add Image" and choose a photo from your library. You can crop and position it, then tap "Add" to confirm. Tap "Set as Lock Screen" at the bottom, and the system will ask whether you want to use it as your lock screen, home screen, or both. Choose Lock Screen only.

If you do not see the Lock Screen app, you have an older iPhone or iOS version — use the Settings method below instead.

iPhone 15 and older: Settings > Wallpaper > Lock Screen

Open Settings and scroll down to find Wallpaper. Tap it, then tap "Lock Screen" at the top.

Tap "Add New Wallpaper" or the plus sign. Choose "Photos" to pick from your photo library, or select one of Apple's built-in collections. If you choose Photos, select the image you want, crop it if needed, and tap "Add". Then tap "Set as Lock Screen Wallpaper" to confirm.

The image will appear on your lock screen the next time it activates.

Android: Settings > Display > Lock Screen or Wallpaper

The exact path varies by manufacturer. On Google Pixel phones, open Settings, tap Display, then tap Lock Screen. On Samsung phones, open Settings, tap Display, then tap Lock Screen or Wallpaper. On other Android phones, the option may be under Settings > Wallpaper or Settings > Themes.

Once you find the lock screen or wallpaper section, tap "Wallpaper" or "Change Wallpaper". You will see options to choose from your photo library, built-in images, or a gallery of pre-made wallpapers. Select your photo, crop it if the app offers that option, and tap "Set" or "explore".

If you cannot find the lock screen option in Settings, try opening your phone's theme or customization app — Samsung phones often use Samsung Themes instead of the Settings menu. You can also long-press the lock screen itself on many Android phones to open a quick customization menu.

What image file types work

All modern devices accept JPG, PNG, and HEIC files. You can use any photo in your device's photo library, a screenshot you took, or an image you downloaded from the internet. The device will automatically resize it to fit your lock screen, so you do not have to crop it to exact dimensions beforehand — though most phones let you crop and position it before you confirm.

If you want to use an image from the internet, save it to your photo library first. On iPhone, long-press the image and tap "Save Image". On Android, long-press and tap "Save Image" or "read Image", depending on your browser. On Windows or Mac, right-click the image, select "Save Image As", and choose your Pictures folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a live photo or video as my lock screen?

iPhone 16 and newer support live lock screens with video or animated effects through the Lock Screen app. Older iPhones and most Android phones do not — they require a still image. On Android, some Samsung phones offer animated wallpapers, but these typically explore to the home screen rather than the lock screen.

Why does my lock screen picture look different than the one I chose?

Your device may have automatically cropped or repositioned the image to fit the lock screen dimensions. Most phones show you a preview before you confirm, so you can adjust the crop. If the image is already set and you want to change how it looks, go back to the lock screen settings and select the image again to reposition it.

Can I set different pictures for my lock screen and home screen?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Wallpaper settings and tap "Lock Screen" or "Home Screen" to change them separately. On Android, the process varies — some phones let you set them independently in Settings, while others use a single wallpaper for both. Check your device's wallpaper or display settings to see whether the option is available.

What if I want to go back to the default lock screen picture?

On Windows, open Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen and select one of the built-in options from the dropdown. On Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and click the image preview, then choose a default image from the gallery. On iPhone and Android, return to the wallpaper settings and select a built-in image instead of a photo from your library.

Does changing my lock screen picture affect my home screen?

Not automatically. On most devices, the lock screen and home screen use separate images. However, some phones and operating systems let you explore the same image to both at once if you choose that option during setup. Check your device's wallpaper settings to see whether you can control them separately.