The fastest way to change your Mac desktop

Open System Settings, click Wallpaper in the left sidebar, then select a new image from the gallery or upload your own. The change takes effect when ready. The whole process takes under a minute.

If you want to rotate between multiple pictures automatically, or adjust how the image fits your screen, those options sit in the same Wallpaper menu. You can also right-click directly on your desktop and choose "Change Desktop Background" — it opens the same settings window.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings > Wallpaper is the main route; right-clicking your desktop is a faster shortcut to the same place.
  • Apple's built-in galleries include Nature, Landscapes, and Abstract; you can also drag a photo from your Files or Photos app directly into the wallpaper preview.
  • The "Change picture" option lets your Mac rotate through multiple images on a schedule you set — hourly, daily, or when you wake your Mac.
  • If an image looks stretched or cut off, the "Fit" dropdown lets you choose how the picture scales to your screen size.

Using System Settings to pick a new wallpaper

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, scroll down and click Wallpaper. A gallery of built-in images appears on the right side of the window — Nature, Landscapes, Abstract, Solid Colors, and others depending on your macOS version.

Click any image to preview it on your desktop. If you like it, click it again or wait a few seconds and it becomes your new wallpaper. You do not need to confirm or save; the change is permanent until you pick something else.

Adding your own photos as wallpaper

To use a picture from your computer instead of Apple's gallery, open System Settings and go to Wallpaper as above. At the bottom of the window, click the plus sign (+) or look for an "Add" button. Navigate to the folder where your photo lives — usually Pictures or Downloads — and select the image you want.

You can also drag a photo directly from your Files app or Photos app into the wallpaper preview window. The image appears in your custom section at the top of the gallery, and you can click it to set it as your desktop background. If the photo is very large or an unusual size, macOS will ask how you want it to fit on your screen.

Setting your Mac to rotate wallpapers automatically

In the Wallpaper settings, look for a checkbox labeled "Change picture" — the exact wording varies by macOS version, but it is usually near the top of the window. Check that box, then choose how often you want the image to change: every hour, every day, when you wake your Mac, or on login.

If you check "Change picture," you can select multiple images from the gallery or add several of your own photos. Your Mac will cycle through them on the schedule you set. This is useful if you like variety but do not want to manually switch your wallpaper every time.

Adjusting how the image fits your screen

When you select a wallpaper, a dropdown menu labeled "Fit" or "Scale" appears below the preview. Your options are usually Fit (the whole image shows, with empty space around it if needed), Fill (the image covers the entire screen but may be cropped), or Stretch (the image expands to fill the screen, which can distort it).

Fit is the safest choice if you want to see the entire image without distortion. Fill is best if you do not mind the edges being cut off and want no empty space. Stretch should be avoided unless the image is already the exact size of your screen, because it can make photos look warped.

Troubleshooting wallpaper changes that do not stick

If you change your wallpaper and it reverts to the old one after restart, check whether you have a screen saver or login screen set to override it. Go to System Settings > Lock Screen and make sure "Show lock screen on login" is turned off if you do not want it. Also confirm that you actually clicked the image to confirm the selection — sometimes a preview is not the same as explore it.

If a custom photo will not upload, the file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try converting it to JPG or PNG using a free tool like Preview (built into your Mac), or try a different photo. If System Settings itself is slow or unresponsive, restart your Mac and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different wallpapers for each monitor if I have multiple screens?

Yes. In System Settings > Wallpaper, each monitor appears as a separate option at the top of the window. Click the monitor you want to change, then pick a new image. You can set a different wallpaper on each screen independently.

Where does macOS store the wallpaper files?

Built-in wallpapers live in /Library/Desktop Pictures on your Mac. You can find them by opening Finder, pressing Command+Shift+G, and typing that path. Custom wallpapers you add are stored in your user Library folder, but you do not need to find them manually — System Settings handles everything.

Can I use a video or animated image as my wallpaper?

No. macOS wallpapers must be static images in JPG, PNG, or similar formats. Some third-party apps claim to add animated wallpapers, but they are not officially supported and can slow your Mac down. Stick with still photos or Apple's built-in galleries.

What if I want to go back to the default Apple wallpaper?

Open System Settings > Wallpaper and click the Apple logo or "Default" option at the top of the gallery. This restores whichever wallpaper came with your macOS version. You can always change it again later.