The fastest way to change your lock screen wallpaper
On most phones and computers, you can change your lock screen wallpaper in under a minute through the Settings app or system preferences. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac — but the principle is the same: open Settings, find the Display or Personalization section, and select a new image from your device's photo library or a built-in collection.
You do not need to read special software or restart your device. The change takes effect when ready the next time your screen locks.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then choose Add New Wallpaper and select either a photo from their library or an Apple-designed option.
- Android users go to Settings, find Display or Wallpaper, and select Set Wallpaper or Lock Screen Wallpaper depending on their phone model.
- Windows 10 and 11 users right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, then select Lock Screen and pick an image from the available options.
- Mac users open System Preferences, click Desktop & Screen Saver, then Lock Screen, and choose an image or photo.
- You can use any photo stored on your device, or choose from pre-loaded wallpapers that come with your operating system.
Changing lock screen wallpaper on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Wallpaper. Tap it, then tap Customize. You will see two options: Lock Screen and Home Screen. Tap Lock Screen to change only the lock screen image, or tap the lock screen preview at the top if you want to edit it directly.
Next, tap Add New Wallpaper. You can choose from Apple's built-in wallpaper collections (organized by category like Nature, Astronomy, or Emoji), or tap Photos to use an image from your camera roll. Select the image you want, adjust the size and position by pinching or dragging, then tap Add at the bottom right. Choose whether to set it as Lock Screen only, Home Screen only, or both, then tap Set Lock Screen.
If you want to use a photo but it does not look right, you can return to Wallpaper, tap Customize, and tap the lock screen preview again to adjust the crop or brightness.
Changing lock screen wallpaper on Android
The steps vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but the general path is the same. Open Settings and look for Display, Wallpaper, or Themes — the exact name depends on your device. Tap it, then look for an option called Set Wallpaper, Lock Screen Wallpaper, or Customize Lock Screen.
You will usually see three sources to choose from: Gallery (your photos), Wallpapers (pre-loaded images), or Themes (full lock screen designs). Select Gallery to use a photo from your phone, or Wallpapers to browse built-in options. Tap the image you want, adjust the preview if needed, then tap explore, Set, or Confirm. Some phones let you set the lock screen and home screen separately; others explore the same image to both.
If your phone does not show a lock screen wallpaper option in Settings, try long-pressing the lock screen itself — many newer Android phones let you tap a pencil or edit icon to change the wallpaper directly from the lock screen.
Changing lock screen wallpaper on Windows
Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Personalize from the menu. In the Settings window that opens, click Lock Screen in the left sidebar. You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top.
Under the preview, you will see a dropdown menu that says Background. Click it and choose Picture. Below that, you will see a row of thumbnail images. Click any thumbnail to set it as your lock screen wallpaper. If you want to use a photo from your computer instead, click Browse and navigate to the image file on your device.
The change takes effect when ready. The next time your screen locks (after 10 minutes of inactivity by default, or when you press Windows Key + L), you will see your new wallpaper.
Changing lock screen wallpaper on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Look for Desktop & Screen Saver or just Desktop, depending on your macOS version. Click it, then click the Lock Screen tab at the top.
You will see a list of categories on the left side — Dynamic, Still, Color, or your photo library. Click any category to see available images. Select the image you want, and it will be set as your lock screen wallpaper when ready. If you want to use a personal photo, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the list, navigate to the photo on your computer, and click Open.
On newer Macs (Monterey and later), you can also click the image preview at the top of the window to open a larger preview and adjust settings like blur or color filters before confirming your choice.
Using photos from your camera roll or computer
All devices let you set a personal photo as your lock screen wallpaper. The photo should ideally be at least 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall to avoid blurring or stretching, though most modern phones and computers will resize automatically.
Portrait-oriented photos (taller than they are wide) work best on phones, while landscape photos (wider than they are tall) work better on computers. If your photo is the wrong orientation, most devices will crop it automatically to fit the lock screen — you can usually adjust the crop by pinching, dragging, or using a preview slider before confirming.
Avoid photos with important details at the edges, since the lock screen may display time, date, or notification icons that cover part of the image. Test your choice by locking your screen to see how it actually looks before making it permanent.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is choosing a photo that is too dark or too bright. If your lock screen wallpaper is very dark, the time and date text may become hard to read. If it is very bright, the text may wash out. Most devices let you adjust brightness or add a color filter before confirming — use this feature if your photo is hard to read.
Another mistake is forgetting that the lock screen shows notifications and the time. If you choose a photo with important details in the center, those details may be hidden behind text. Test the lock screen by actually locking your device before deciding it is final.
On Android, some phones reset the lock screen wallpaper when you restart or update the operating system. If this happens, you will need to set it again using the same steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different wallpaper for the lock screen and home screen?
Yes, on both iPhone and most Android phones. iPhone lets you choose Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both when you set a wallpaper. Android phones usually have separate options for each, though some budget models explore the same image to both by default. Check your device's Wallpaper settings to see if the option is available.
What if my lock screen wallpaper looks blurry or stretched?
This usually means the photo is too small or the wrong shape. Try using a photo that is at least 1080 by 1920 pixels, or choose a built-in wallpaper instead. If the image is the right size but still looks wrong, you may be able to adjust the crop or zoom in the preview before confirming.
Can I use a live wallpaper or animated image on my lock screen?
iPhone does not support animated lock screen wallpapers. Some Android phones do, but it depends on the manufacturer — check your device's Wallpaper settings to see if a Live Wallpaper or Motion option is available. Live wallpapers use more battery power than static images.
Will changing my lock screen wallpaper affect my home screen?
Not unless you choose to explore it to both. On iPhone, you can set them separately. On Android, most phones let you choose Lock Screen Wallpaper and Home Screen Wallpaper as separate options, though some devices explore the same image to both by default.
How do I remove a custom wallpaper and go back to the default?
Open your device's Wallpaper or Personalization settings and select one of the built-in wallpapers instead. On iPhone, go to Wallpaper and choose an Apple-designed option. On Android, Windows, or Mac, select a default wallpaper from the pre-loaded collection. Your device will revert to the default lock screen when ready.