The fastest way to change your Mac lock screen

Your Mac lock screen is the image or message you see when your computer wakes up or when you step away. To change it, open System Settings, go to Lock Screen in the sidebar, and choose a new image from the gallery or upload your own photo. The change takes effect when ready the next time your screen locks.

You can also set different lock screens for different times of day, add a clock or weather widget, and customize the text that appears. All of this happens in the same Lock Screen settings panel, so you can experiment without leaving the menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, and select a new image from Apple's built-in gallery or your own photos.
  • You can upload a personal photo by clicking the image preview and choosing a file from your computer.
  • The lock screen changes take effect the next time your Mac locks, with no restart needed.
  • You can add a clock, weather widget, or custom text to your lock screen from the same settings panel.
  • Different lock screens can be set for different times of day using the scheduling option.

Opening System Settings and finding Lock Screen

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. On newer Macs running macOS Ventura or later, System Settings opens directly. On older Macs, you may see System Preferences instead — the steps are similar, but the menu names are slightly different.

Once System Settings is open, look for Lock Screen in the sidebar on the left. If you don't see it when ready, scroll down — it usually appears near the bottom of the list, below Notifications and above Battery. Click it to open the lock screen customization panel.

Choosing an image from Apple's gallery

When you open Lock Screen settings, you'll see a preview of your current lock screen at the top and a gallery of images below it. Apple provides several built-in collections: Nature, Landscapes, Aerial, Solid Colors, and others depending on your macOS version. Click any image to preview it on your lock screen mockup.

Once you find an image you like, click it again to confirm the selection. The preview at the top updates when ready. You don't need to click Save or explore — macOS saves your choice automatically.

Uploading your own photo

To use a personal photo instead of Apple's gallery, click the image preview at the top of the Lock Screen panel. A file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored and select it. macOS accepts JPG, PNG, HEIF, and other common image formats.

After you select a photo, macOS may ask you to adjust the crop or position. Drag the image to frame it the way you want it to appear on your lock screen. Once you're satisfied, click Done or Set. The photo becomes your new lock screen when ready.

Adding a clock or weather widget to your lock screen

Below the image preview in Lock Screen settings, you'll see options to add widgets. Click the plus sign or Add Widget button. A menu appears showing available widgets like Clock, Weather, Calendar, and Reminders. Select the one you want.

You can add multiple widgets — they'll appear in a row at the bottom of your lock screen. To remove a widget, click it and select Delete or Remove. To rearrange them, click and drag a widget to a new position. These changes take effect the next time your screen locks.

Setting different lock screens for different times of day

macOS allows you to schedule different lock screens for morning, afternoon, and evening. In Lock Screen settings, look for a Schedule option or a clock icon. Click it to set up time-based lock screens.

You can create up to three different lock screens with different images, widgets, and times. For example, you might use a bright landscape during the day and a darker image at night. Set the start time for each lock screen, and macOS switches between them automatically. This feature is available on macOS Ventura and later.

Customizing text on your lock screen

Some macOS versions allow you to add custom text to your lock screen — a message, quote, or reminder that appears below the time. In Lock Screen settings, look for a Customize Lock Screen button or a text field. Click it and type the message you want to display.

The text appears in a small font at the bottom of your lock screen. You can change it at any time by returning to Lock Screen settings and editing the field. If you want to remove the text, delete what's in the field and leave it blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. macOS lock screens only support still images — JPG, PNG, HEIF, and similar formats. You can use a photo from your library or any image file on your computer, but not video or animated GIFs.

What size should my photo be for the best result?

macOS automatically scales any photo to fit your screen, so exact dimensions don't matter. However, photos that are already landscape-oriented (wider than they are tall) usually look better on a lock screen without awkward cropping.

Will changing my lock screen affect my login screen?

No. Your lock screen (what you see when your Mac wakes up) is separate from your login screen (what you see when you first start your Mac). Changing one does not change the other. You can customize your login screen separately in System Settings under Login Items or Users & Groups, depending on your macOS version.

Can I set a different lock screen for each user account on my Mac?

Yes. Each user account has its own Lock Screen settings. When you log in as a different user, that user's lock screen appears. Changes you make in Lock Screen settings only affect the account you're currently logged into.

How do I go back to the default Apple lock screen?

Open Lock Screen settings and click any of Apple's built-in images in the gallery. Your custom photo is replaced, and the default lock screen returns. You can switch back to your photo anytime by uploading it again.