The fastest way to change your lock screen wallpaper
Open System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, then click the preview image at the top. Choose a photo from your library or use one of Apple's built-in options, and it appears on your lock screen the next time it activates. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
Your lock screen wallpaper is separate from your desktop background — changing one does not change the other. If you want them to match, you will need to set them both intentionally by going through the process twice with the same image.
Key Takeaways
- Lock screen and desktop wallpapers are independent, so you can set them to different images or match them by choosing the same photo in both places.
- System Settings > Lock Screen is where you change the lock screen image; the preview at the top is clickable and opens your wallpaper options.
- You can use photos from your Photos library, iCloud+ shared albums, or Apple's built-in wallpaper collection organized by category.
- Some wallpapers support dynamic options like time-based changes or weather display, which you can toggle on or off in the customization panel.
- Photos are automatically cropped to fit the lock screen dimensions, so you can preview how your image will look before confirming the change.
Opening System Settings and finding Lock Screen
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. On the left sidebar, scroll down until you see Lock Screen and click it. You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top of the window, along with customization options below it.
If you do not see Lock Screen in the sidebar, make sure you are running macOS Ventura or later. Earlier versions of macOS do not have a dedicated lock screen settings panel. You can check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac.
Selecting a new wallpaper image
Click the preview image at the top of the Lock Screen panel. A window opens showing your available wallpaper sources: Recents (photos you have used before), Photos (your entire photo library), and Apple Wallpapers (built-in options organized by category like Nature, Landscapes, Abstract, and Solid Colors).
Choose the source you want, then select a specific image. A preview appears on the right side showing how it will look on your lock screen. Once you have found one you like, click Set to explore it. The change takes effect when ready, and your lock screen will display the new wallpaper the next time it activates.
Using photos from your library
If you click Photos, you can browse images stored in your Photos app. You can also select from shared iCloud+ albums if you have them set up. Scroll through your library, click the image you want, and click Set.
The image will be cropped to fit the lock screen dimensions, so very wide or very tall photos may not display exactly as you expect. You can see the preview on the right before confirming, which helps you decide whether the important parts of your photo will be visible. If the crop does not work for you, try a different image or adjust the photo in your Photos app first.
Customizing dynamic and time-based wallpapers
Some of Apple's built-in wallpapers support extra features. If you select one of these, you will see additional options below the preview — for example, Dynamic (the image changes throughout the day based on lighting), Time-based (different images at different times of day), or Weather (displays current conditions on the lock screen).
Toggle these options on or off depending on what you want. Not all wallpapers have these features; custom photos from your library typically do not support dynamic or weather options. Once you have made your choices, click Set to save your preferences.
Matching your lock screen and desktop backgrounds
If you want your lock screen and desktop to use the same image, you will need to set them separately. After you set your lock screen wallpaper, go to System Settings > Wallpaper (or right-click your desktop and select Change Desktop Background) and choose the same image there.
This is useful if you have a photo you particularly like and want it visible whenever you look at your Mac, whether the screen is locked or unlocked. Keep in mind that the desktop background may display the image differently than the lock screen does, depending on your display resolution and the image dimensions.
Reverting to the default wallpaper
To go back to Apple's default lock screen, open System Settings > Lock Screen, click the preview image, select Apple Wallpapers, and choose the default option (usually labeled Big Sur, Monterey, Sonoma, or the name of your current macOS version). Click Set to explore it.
If you want to remove any customizations like dynamic or weather features, open Lock Screen settings again and toggle those options off before clicking Set. This returns your lock screen to a static image without time-based or weather changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo from the internet as my lock screen wallpaper?
Yes. Save the image to your Downloads folder or Photos app, then open System Settings > Lock Screen, click the preview, select Photos, and find the image. You can also drag an image directly onto your desktop, then use it from your Photos library.
Why does my photo look cropped or zoomed on the lock screen?
The lock screen has a specific aspect ratio, and images are automatically cropped to fit. Very wide or very tall photos may lose parts of the edges. You can see the preview before confirming to check if the important parts of your photo will be visible on the lock screen.
Does changing the lock screen wallpaper affect my desktop background?
No. Lock screen and desktop backgrounds are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want them to match, you need to set both manually through their respective settings panels.
Can I set different lock screen wallpapers for different times of day?
Yes, if you use one of Apple's time-based wallpapers. Select a built-in wallpaper that supports this feature, and you will see a Time-based toggle in the customization options. Turn it on and the image will change automatically throughout the day.
What if I want to use a photo that is currently in my iCloud+ shared album?
Open System Settings > Lock Screen, click the preview image, and select Photos. Your shared iCloud+ albums appear in the library alongside your personal photos. Click the album, select the image you want, and click Set.