The fastest way depends on what device you have

Changing your lock screen picture takes less than a minute on most phones and computers, but the steps are different for each operating system. On an iPhone, you open Settings and tap Lock Screen. On Android, you go to Settings, then Display, then Lock Screen. On Windows, you right-click the desktop and choose Personalize. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Lock Screen, and drag a photo into the preview. The picture you choose stays visible every time you wake your device without unlocking it.

The main decision is whether to use a photo you already have or take a new one. Most devices let you pick from your photo library, use a built-in image, or take a fresh picture on the spot. Some phones also let you set a live photo or video as your lock screen, though this drains battery faster than a still image.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone lock screen changes happen in Settings > Lock Screen, where you can choose from your photo library, built-in images, or a new photo taken right then.
  • Android devices use Settings > Display > Lock Screen, and the exact menu names vary by manufacturer, but the concept is the same across all brands.
  • Windows computers let you right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, then select Lock Screen and pick an image from your files.
  • Mac computers use System Settings > Lock Screen, where you can drag a photo directly into the preview to set it when ready.
  • Live photos and video lock screens look more dynamic but use more battery power than static images.

How to change your lock screen on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Lock Screen. Tap it. You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top. Below that, tap the plus sign or "Add New Lock Screen" button. A menu appears with three choices: Photo Library, Camera, or a collection of built-in designs.

If you choose Photo Library, your photos app opens. Select any photo you want. The phone will ask you to crop it or adjust it. Once you confirm, the new lock screen appears in your list. You can set it as active by tapping it, or you can create multiple lock screens and swipe between them when you wake your phone. If you want to use a live photo instead of a still image, select it from your library the same way—the phone will ask if you want to use the live version.

To remove a lock screen you no longer want, swipe left on it in the list and tap Delete. Your phone always keeps at least one lock screen active, so you cannot delete the one you are currently using until you switch to another one first.

How to change your lock screen on Android

Open Settings and look for Display or Screen. Tap Lock Screen. The exact menu name varies—Samsung calls it "Lock Screen," Google Pixel calls it "Lock Screen," and other manufacturers may label it slightly differently, but it is always in the Display section. Once you are there, look for an option that says "Wallpaper," "Lock Screen Image," or "Background."

Tap that option and choose where your image comes from: Gallery (your photos), Camera (take a new photo), or Wallpapers (built-in designs). If you pick Gallery, select the photo you want. Some Android phones will let you crop or adjust it before confirming. Once you confirm, the image becomes your lock screen when ready.

On some Android devices, you can set a different image for your lock screen and home screen. If you see separate options for "Lock Screen Wallpaper" and "Home Screen Wallpaper," you can customize each one independently. If you only see one "Wallpaper" option, changing it affects both screens.

How to change your lock screen on Windows

Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Personalize from the menu. The Settings app opens to the Personalization section. On the left side, click Lock Screen. You will see your current lock screen displayed at the top.

Below the preview, look for a section called "Personalize your lock screen." Click the plus sign or "Browse" button to open your file explorer. Navigate to the photo you want to use, select it, and click Choose Picture. The image appears in the preview when ready. Windows will use this image every time you lock your computer or step away long enough for it to lock automatically.

You can also choose to display a slideshow of multiple images instead of a single picture. In the same Personalize section, look for "Get fun facts, tips, and more on your lock screen" or a similar toggle. If you turn this on, Windows will rotate through images and show you information like weather or news. If you turn it off, your single chosen image stays static.

How to change your lock screen on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Lock Screen. You will see a preview of your current lock screen in the center of the window.

Below the preview, you will see options to choose a new image. Click the dropdown menu that shows your current image source—it might say "Desktop & Screen Saver," "Photos," or "Folder." Select where you want to pull the image from. If you choose Photos, your photo library opens. If you choose Folder, you can navigate to any folder on your computer. Once you select an image, you can drag it directly into the preview area to set it, or double-click it to confirm.

You can also adjust how the image appears on your lock screen. Some Macs let you choose whether to show the time and date over the image, or whether to display notifications. These options appear below the preview if your Mac supports them.

Using photos from the internet or cloud storage

If you want to use an image you found online, you need to save it to your device first. On a phone, open your web browser, find the image, press and hold it, and select "Save Image" or "read." The image goes into your Photos app. On a computer, right-click the image and select "Save Image As," then choose where to save it. Once it is saved locally, you can follow the steps above to set it as your lock screen.

If you use cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, you can access those photos through your device's built-in file browser or photo app. On iPhone, photos stored in iCloud appear in the Photos app automatically. On Android, Google Photos integrates with the lock screen settings on many devices. On Windows and Mac, you can navigate to your cloud storage folder and select an image from there. The image does not need to stay in the cloud—once you set it as your lock screen, your device stores a copy locally.

Why your lock screen picture might not change

If you set a new lock screen image but it does not appear, the most common reason is that you did not confirm the change. On some devices, you have to tap a checkmark, press Enter, or click a "Set" button after selecting the image. Check the screen carefully for any button you might have missed.

Another reason is that your device is still showing a cached version of the old lock screen. Restart your phone or computer—this forces it to reload the lock screen from your settings. If you are on Android and the change still does not show, go back into Settings > Display > Lock Screen and confirm the image is still selected there. Sometimes Android resets this setting if you have not confirmed it properly.

If you are using a work phone or computer managed by your employer, your organization may have locked the lock screen settings so you cannot change them. Contact your IT department to ask if they can unlock this feature for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a screenshot as my lock screen picture?

Yes. Screenshots are saved to your Photos app or Pictures folder just like any other image. Find the screenshot in your photo library or file explorer and follow the steps above to set it as your lock screen. The process is identical to using any other photo.

Will changing my lock screen picture affect my home screen or desktop background?

Not automatically. On most devices, your lock screen and home screen (or desktop) are separate. You can change one without changing the other. However, some phones and computers have a "set both" option that applies the same image to both screens at once. If you see that option and do not select it, only your lock screen will change.

What image size or format works best for a lock screen?

Your device automatically crops and resizes any image you choose to fit your lock screen. You do not need to resize it yourself beforehand. JPG, PNG, and other common image formats all work. The only thing that matters is that the image is clear enough to look good on your screen—very small or very low-quality images may look blurry.

Can I set a different lock screen picture for different times of day?

On iPhone, you can create multiple lock screens and swipe between them manually whenever you want. On Android, some devices let you set a slideshow that rotates images automatically, but most do not support time-based changes. On Windows and Mac, you can set a slideshow to rotate images, but neither system has a built-in way to change the lock screen at specific times. You would need a third-party app to automate this.

Does using a live photo or video lock screen drain my battery faster?

Yes, slightly. Live photos and video lock screens use more power than static images because your device has to animate them. If battery life is a concern, stick with a regular photo. The difference is usually small—a few percent per day—but it adds up over time.