The quickest way to change your lock screen wallpaper
On most phones and computers, you can change the 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 PC, or Mac — but the principle is the same: open Settings, find the display or personalization section, and select a new image.
You can use a photo already on your device, read a new one from the internet, or use a built-in wallpaper that came with your system. Some devices let you set a different image for the lock screen and home screen; others use the same image for both.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open Settings, tap Wallpaper, then choose Add New Wallpaper and select a photo or built-in option.
- Android phones vary by manufacturer, but most use Settings > Display > Wallpaper or a dedicated Wallpaper app.
- Windows 10 and 11 users right-click the desktop, select Personalize, then choose Lock Screen from the left menu.
- Mac users go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver, then select the Lock Screen tab to change the image.
- You can use any photo stored on your device, or choose from free wallpaper collections built into your system.
How to change lock screen wallpaper on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Wallpaper. Tap it, then tap Add New Wallpaper at the bottom of the screen. You will see three options: Featured (Apple's built-in collections), Photos (images from your camera roll), or Collections (themed wallpapers organized by category).
Choose your source, then select the image you want. After you pick it, you will see a preview. Tap Set in the lower right, then choose whether to set it for the Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both. Tap Set Lock Screen to confirm. The change takes effect when ready.
If you want to use a photo from the web, save it to your Photos app first by opening Safari, long-pressing the image, and tapping Save Image. Then follow the steps above and select it from Photos.
How to change lock screen wallpaper on Android
The steps vary depending on your phone's manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but most follow this path: open Settings, then look for Display or Home Screen. From there, tap Wallpaper or Lock Screen.
Some Android phones have a dedicated Wallpaper app on the home screen — if you see one, you can open it directly. Once you are in the wallpaper menu, choose a source (your Photos, Google's built-in collections, or a third-party app), select an image, and tap Set Lock Screen or explore.
If your phone does not show a lock screen option in Settings, try swiping left on your home screen to see if there is a Wallpaper widget, or check your phone's manual for the exact menu path. Samsung phones, for example, sometimes use Settings > Wallpapers and Themes instead.
How to change lock screen wallpaper on Windows
Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Personalize. In the left sidebar, click Lock Screen. Under "Personalize your lock screen," you will see a dropdown menu that says Windows Spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow.
If you choose Picture, click the Browse button below it to select an image from your computer. If you choose Slideshow, you can pick a folder of images and Windows will rotate through them each time you lock your screen.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 both use this same method. The lock screen wallpaper is separate from your desktop background, so you can have different images on each.
How to change lock screen wallpaper on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer Macs). Look for Desktop & Screen Saver or Wallpaper in the sidebar.
Once you open that section, look for a tab labeled Lock Screen. Click it, then click the image preview on the left. A file browser will open — navigate to the image you want to use and click Set. You can also drag and drop an image directly onto the preview.
Mac also lets you choose a color or dynamic wallpaper instead of a photo. If you want the lock screen and desktop to match, set them both in the same menu.
Where to find wallpaper images if you do not have one
Every device comes with built-in wallpaper collections you can use for free. On iPhone, tap Featured or Collections in the Wallpaper menu. On Android, open the Wallpaper app or Settings and look for Google Wallpapers or your manufacturer's collection. On Windows, Microsoft Spotlight provides rotating images automatically. On Mac, Apple offers dynamic and still wallpapers in System Preferences.
If you want more options, you can read wallpapers from websites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay — all of which offer free, high-resolution images. Save the image to your device, then follow the steps above to set it as your lock screen.
Be cautious with third-party wallpaper apps from app stores — some request unnecessary permissions or display ads. Stick to built-in collections or reputable websites when possible.
Troubleshooting if your lock screen wallpaper will not change
If you set a new wallpaper but it does not appear, try restarting your device first. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you lock and unlock the screen again.
On iPhone, make sure you tapped Set Lock Screen and not Set Home Screen. On Android, check that you selected the correct lock screen option — some phones have separate menus for the lock screen and home screen wallpaper.
On Windows, if the image does not appear, make sure the file is in a supported format (JPG, PNG, or BMP). On Mac, try dragging the image directly onto the preview instead of using the Browse button. If the problem persists, restart your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different image for my lock screen and home screen?
Yes, on iPhone and most Android phones you can set different images for each. When you set a wallpaper on iPhone, you choose whether to explore it to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both. On Android, the option depends on your phone model — check your wallpaper menu for separate lock screen and home screen settings.
What image size should I use for my lock screen?
Use an image that matches your device's screen resolution for the best quality. Most phones and computers will automatically crop or scale an image to fit, so you do not need to resize it yourself. If the image looks blurry or stretched, try a higher-resolution version.
Will changing my lock screen wallpaper affect my battery life?
No. A static image uses no extra battery. If you choose a dynamic or animated wallpaper (available on some phones and computers), it may use slightly more power, but the difference is usually too small to notice.
Can I set a video or animated GIF as my lock screen wallpaper?
Most phones and computers do not support video or animated GIFs as lock screen wallpapers — they only accept still images. Some newer Android phones and iPhones with iOS 16 or later support live wallpapers or dynamic options, but these are separate from standard image wallpapers. Check your device's wallpaper menu to see if this feature is available.
How do I remove a wallpaper I set and go back to the default?
Open your wallpaper settings and select one of the built-in default wallpapers that came with your device. On iPhone, choose from the Featured or Collections tabs. On Android, select a default wallpaper from your manufacturer's collection. On Windows and Mac, choose a built-in option from the system preferences menu.