The fastest way to change your lock screen

Open System Settings, go to Lock Screen, and choose a new image or video from the gallery — or upload your own photo. The change takes effect the next time your Mac locks. You can also set how long before the lock screen appears, whether notifications show on it, and whether your Mac requires a password to wake.

The whole process takes under two minutes. Your lock screen is separate from your desktop background, so you can have different images on each.

Key Takeaways

  • Lock screen images are set in System Settings under the Lock Screen panel, not in Wallpaper or Desktop settings.
  • You can use Apple's built-in image library, a photo from your Photos app, or any image file on your Mac.
  • The lock screen appears when your Mac wakes from sleep or when you manually lock it with Control + Command + Q.
  • You can customize what shows on the lock screen — notifications, date, time, and whether a password is required to unlock.

Where to find the lock screen settings

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, scroll down and click Lock Screen. This is the only place where lock screen images are managed on a MacBook Air.

Do not confuse this with the Wallpaper or Desktop settings — those control your desktop background, which is different from your lock screen. The lock screen appears on top of everything when your Mac is locked.

How to choose or upload a new lock screen image

In the Lock Screen panel, you will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top. Below that are image options. Click on any image in the gallery to preview it. Apple provides several categories: Nature, Landscapes, Astronomy, Colors, and Gradients. Click once to see a larger preview, then click again to set it as your lock screen.

To use your own photo, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the image gallery, or drag a photo directly into the preview area. You can select any image file from your Mac — from your Photos library, Downloads folder, or anywhere else. Once you select it, the image becomes your lock screen when ready.

Setting the time before your Mac locks

In the Lock Screen settings, find the option labeled "Start after display goes to sleep" or "Require password." Below that, you can choose how long your Mac waits before locking: when ready, after 1 minute, after 5 minutes, after 15 minutes, or after 1 hour.

If you choose "when ready," your Mac locks the moment the display goes to sleep. If you choose a longer interval, your Mac stays unlocked during that time even if the display is off. This setting affects security — a shorter time means your Mac is locked more often, but a longer time means you do not have to enter your password as frequently.

Controlling what appears on your lock screen

Below the image preview, you will see toggles for what displays on your lock screen. You can turn on or off the date, time, and notifications. Some lock screen images have a "Customize" button that lets you change the color or style of the clock and date display to match the image better.

If you want notifications to appear on your lock screen, leave that toggle on. If you prefer privacy — so notifications do not show sensitive information when your Mac is locked — turn it off. You can also click "Customize" next to the image preview to adjust the appearance of text and widgets on that specific lock screen.

How to manually lock your MacBook Air

Your lock screen appears automatically when your Mac goes to sleep or when the timer you set runs out. To lock your Mac manually right now, press Control + Command + Q. Your lock screen will appear when ready, and you will need to enter your password to unlock it.

You can also lock your Mac by clicking your user account icon in the top right corner of the menu bar and selecting "Lock Screen." Both methods work when ready.

Troubleshooting common lock screen problems

If your lock screen image is not showing up, restart your Mac and check System Settings again. Sometimes the image takes a moment to load. If a custom photo you uploaded is not appearing, make sure the file format is supported — JPG, PNG, and HEIF files work on MacBook Air.

If your lock screen is not appearing at all, check that your Mac is actually going to sleep. Go to System Settings, click Battery or Power Adapter (depending on whether you are on battery or plugged in), and make sure "Turn display off after" is set to a time shorter than your lock screen delay. If the display never goes to sleep, the lock screen will not appear unless you manually lock your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my lock screen instead of a photo?

Yes. In the Lock Screen settings, click the plus sign to add a file, then select a video file from your Mac. Supported formats include MP4 and MOV. The video will loop while your lock screen is displayed.

Will changing my lock screen affect my desktop background?

No. Your lock screen and desktop background are completely separate. You can have a different image on each. To change your desktop background, go to System Settings, click Wallpaper, and choose a new image there.

What happens if I forget my password and my lock screen is on?

You will need to enter your password to unlock your Mac. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key. This is a security feature and cannot be bypassed.

Can I set different lock screens for different times of day?

MacBook Air does not have a built-in feature to automatically change lock screens by time of day. You can only set one lock screen at a time, though you can change it manually whenever you want.