Change Your MacBook Lock Screen Background and Login Picture

You can change what appears on your MacBook's lock screen—the image you see before you type your password—through the System Settings app. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on any recent macOS version. You choose either a built-in Apple image, a photo from your library, or a solid color.

Your lock screen is separate from your desktop background. Changing one does not change the other, so you can have different images on each. The lock screen also shows the time, date, and any notifications you have received.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, and select a new image from the gallery or your own photos.
  • You can use any photo stored in your Photos app, or choose from Apple's built-in collections like Nature, Landscapes, and Aerial.
  • The lock screen image is independent of your desktop background, so you can set them to different pictures.
  • If you want the same image on both your lock screen and desktop, you must set each one separately—there is no single "explore to both" option.

Open System Settings and Find the Lock Screen Panel

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings from the dropdown. On older Macs running Big Sur or earlier, this was called System Preferences, but the steps are the same.

In the System Settings window, look for Lock Screen in the left sidebar. Click it. If you do not see it when ready, scroll down the sidebar—it usually appears near the top, but the exact position varies slightly by macOS version. You should now see a preview of your current lock screen in the main panel.

Select a New Image from Apple's Gallery or Your Photos

Below the preview, you will see a row of thumbnail images. These are Apple's built-in lock screen options, organized by category: Nature, Landscapes, Aerial, Solid Colors, and others depending on your macOS version. Click any thumbnail to preview it on the lock screen mockup above.

To use one of your own photos instead, click the + button at the bottom left of the image gallery, or look for an option labeled Add. A file browser will open. Navigate to your Photos app library or any folder on your Mac, select the photo you want, and click Open. The image will appear in your gallery and will be set as your lock screen when ready.

If you choose a photo that is very bright or very dark, the time and date text on the lock screen may become hard to read. You can adjust the text color by clicking the text color icon (usually a small circle or letter "A") near the bottom of the Lock Screen panel, then choosing a lighter or darker shade.

Adjust Text and Notification Settings on Your Lock Screen

While you are in the Lock Screen settings, you can control what information appears on top of your image. Look for options to show or hide the date, time, and notifications. Some macOS versions let you choose whether notifications appear as a list, as badges, or not at all on the lock screen.

You can also set whether your lock screen shows notifications from specific apps. Click Customize or Notification Settings (the exact label depends on your macOS version) to turn notifications on or off for individual apps like Mail, Messages, or Calendar.

Set a Different Desktop Background If You Want

Your lock screen and desktop background are completely separate. If you want a different image on your desktop, go back to System Settings, click Wallpaper in the sidebar, and repeat the same process. You can use the same image on both, or pick two completely different ones.

The desktop background is what you see after you unlock your Mac and reach your actual desktop. The lock screen is what appears before you enter your password. Changing one does not affect the other.

Troubleshoot If Your Changes Do Not Appear

If you set a new lock screen image but it does not show up when you lock your Mac, try closing System Settings completely and opening it again. Sometimes the preview updates faster than the actual lock screen does.

If you are using a photo from your Photos app and it does not appear in the gallery, make sure the photo is actually saved in your Photos library and not just in a folder on your desktop. You can check this by opening the Photos app and looking for the image in your Library. If it is only in a folder, use the + button in Lock Screen settings to browse to that folder and add it manually.

On some older Macs, you may need to restart your computer for lock screen changes to take effect. If the image still does not appear after restarting, try selecting a different image first, then going back to your preferred one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my lock screen?

No. macOS lock screens only support still images—photos, screenshots, or artwork. You cannot set a video, GIF, or animated wallpaper as your lock screen, though you can use an animated background on your desktop if your Mac supports it.

Will changing my lock screen image affect my login password or security?

No. The lock screen image is purely visual and has no effect on your password, security settings, or how your Mac logs in. You can change it as often as you want without any impact on your account.

What happens if I delete a photo I used as my lock screen?

If you delete a photo from your Photos app after setting it as your lock screen, your Mac will usually revert to a default Apple image the next time you lock your screen. You can set a new image at any time through Lock Screen settings.

Can I set different lock screens for different user accounts on the same Mac?

Yes. Each user account on your Mac has its own Lock Screen settings. When you switch to a different account, that account's lock screen image will appear. Set the lock screen for each account separately through that account's System Settings.

Why does my lock screen image look blurry or pixelated?

This usually happens if the image is very small or low resolution. macOS stretches small images to fill the screen, which makes them look blurry. Try using a photo that is at least 1920 by 1080 pixels, or use one of Apple's built-in images, which are optimized for your screen size.