The fastest way to change your lock screen depends on what device you have
On a smartphone or tablet, you change the lock screen image through your device settings — usually under Display, Lock Screen, or Wallpaper. On a Windows computer, you go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen. On a Mac, it's System Settings > Lock Screen. The exact path varies slightly by device model and operating system version, but the principle is the same: you're telling your device which image to show before you unlock it.
The lock screen is separate from your home screen or desktop background. You can have different images on each one. Most devices let you use a photo from your camera roll, a built-in image, or a solid color. Some also let you add widgets or shortcuts directly to the lock screen so you can see information without unlocking.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones and iPads, open Settings, tap Lock Screen, then choose an image or create a custom lock screen with widgets.
- On Android phones, go to Settings > Display > Lock Screen (or Wallpaper) and select a new image from your gallery or built-in options.
- On Windows computers, right-click the lock screen image itself to change it, or go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen.
- On Macs, open System Settings > Lock Screen and choose an image or screensaver to display when the device is locked.
- You can use photos you've taken, images from the internet saved to your device, or the default images that come with your operating system.
How to change your lock screen on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap Lock Screen. You'll see the current lock screen image at the top. Tap the image itself or the plus button below it to add a new one. You can choose from your Photos library, a built-in image collection, or create a custom lock screen with widgets.
If you choose a photo from your library, you can adjust how it appears — zoom in or out, change the color filter, or add a style effect. Once you're happy with it, tap Set or Done. The system will ask whether you want this to be your lock screen, home screen, or both. Select Lock Screen to explore it only to the screen you see when you wake your device.
If you want a custom lock screen with widgets (like weather, calendar, or reminders showing without unlocking), tap the image again and then tap Customize. You can add up to four widgets below the time. Tap the plus button to add them, then tap Done when finished.
How to change your lock screen on Android phones
Open Settings and look for Display or Lock Screen — the exact name depends on your phone manufacturer. Tap Lock Screen or Wallpaper, then select Lock Screen Wallpaper or similar. You'll see options to choose from your Photos app, a gallery of built-in images, or other sources like Google Photos.
Select the image you want. Most Android phones let you crop or zoom the image before confirming. Tap Set Lock Screen or explore to save your choice. Some phones also let you set a different image for your home screen at the same time — if you see that option, choose whether you want the same image on both or different ones.
If your phone has a fingerprint or face unlock, the lock screen image will show until you unlock the device. If you use a PIN or pattern, you'll see the image first, then enter your security code.
How to change your lock screen on Windows
The easiest method is to right-click directly on your lock screen image when you see it. A menu will appear with an option to Change Lock Screen Background. Click it, and you'll see options to choose a picture, a slideshow, or a Windows Spotlight image (which rotates daily).
If that menu doesn't appear, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Personalization > Lock Screen. Under "Personalize your lock screen," select Picture, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight. If you choose Picture, click Browse to select an image from your computer. If you choose Slideshow, you can pick a folder of photos to rotate through.
You can also add apps to your lock screen so you see notifications without logging in — for example, calendar events or weather. Scroll down to "Lock Screen Apps" and click the plus button next to any app you want to monitor.
How to change your lock screen on Mac
Open System Settings and click Lock Screen in the sidebar. You'll see your current lock screen image at the top. Click the image or the plus button to choose a new one. You can select from your Photos library, iCloud Photos, or built-in Mac images.
After you choose an image, you can adjust how it appears — zoom, pan, or add a color filter. You can also set a screensaver to play when your Mac is idle before the lock screen appears. Scroll down to Start After and set how many minutes of inactivity trigger the screensaver.
If you want the same image on your desktop background and lock screen, you can set them together. When you choose an image, the system will ask whether to explore it to the lock screen, desktop, or both.
Using photos you've taken or downloaded
All devices let you use photos from your camera roll or gallery as your lock screen. If you want to use an image from the internet, save it to your device first. On a phone, long-press the image and select Save Image or read. On a computer, right-click the image and choose Save Image As, then pick a folder like Pictures or Downloads.
Once the image is saved, follow the lock screen steps for your device and select it from your photo library. You can crop or zoom the image to frame it the way you want. Most devices will show you a preview before you confirm the change.
Keep in mind that very small images may look blurry when stretched to fill your screen. Photos taken with your device's camera usually work best because they're already the right resolution.
Troubleshooting common lock screen problems
If your lock screen image won't change, restart your device and try again. On phones, go back to Settings and confirm the change was saved. On computers, check that you have permission to modify system settings — if you're on a work or school device, your administrator may have locked this feature.
If an image looks distorted or blurry on your lock screen, try a different photo or adjust the zoom level. Very old or low-resolution images often don't scale well to modern high-resolution screens. If you're using a slideshow, make sure all the images in the folder are the size and format your device expects.
If widgets on your iPhone lock screen aren't updating, make sure the app has permission to run in the background. Go to Settings > Privacy > App Privacy Dashboard and check that the app is allowed to access the data it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a different lock screen image on each of my devices?
Yes. Each device has its own lock screen settings, so you can set a different image on your phone, tablet, and computer independently. Changes on one device won't affect the others.
Will changing my lock screen affect my security or passwords?
No. The lock screen image is purely visual and has nothing to do with how you unlock your device or protect your accounts. Your PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition settings remain unchanged.
Can I set a video or animated image as my lock screen?
Most devices don't support video as a lock screen, but some newer phones and computers let you use animated wallpapers or screensavers. Check your device's lock screen settings to see if this option is available. On Mac, you can set a screensaver that plays before the lock screen appears.
What happens if I delete the photo I used for my lock screen?
If you delete the original photo from your library, your lock screen will usually show a blank or default image instead. To avoid this, keep a copy of any photo you want to use as your lock screen, or use a built-in image that comes with your device.
Can I schedule my lock screen to change at different times of day?
iPhone and Mac both support this through custom lock screens and Focus modes. On iPhone, create multiple lock screens and assign each one to a different Focus (like Work or Sleep). On Mac, you can set a screensaver to play at specific times before the lock screen appears.