The fastest way to change your Mac wallpaper
Open System Settings, click Wallpaper in the sidebar, choose a category, and select the image you want. Your Mac displays the new wallpaper on your desktop and lock screen when ready. The whole process takes about one minute.
You can also use your own photos instead of Apple's built-in images, or set different wallpapers for your desktop and lock screen. If you have multiple displays, you can assign different wallpapers to each one.
Key Takeaways
- System Settings > Wallpaper is the main control panel for changing your desktop and lock screen images on any Mac.
- You can choose from Apple's built-in collections (Nature, Solid Colors, Dynamic) or upload your own photos from your computer.
- Your Mac can show one wallpaper on the desktop and a different one on the lock screen at the same time.
- If you have two displays connected, you can set a unique wallpaper for each one separately.
Opening System Settings and finding the Wallpaper panel
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. On the left sidebar, scroll down until you see Wallpaper and click it. If you do not see Wallpaper in the sidebar, your Mac is running an older version of macOS — see the FAQ section below for older Macs.
The Wallpaper panel opens and shows you a grid of available images organized by category. At the top, you will see tabs for Desktop and Lock Screen. Click whichever one you want to change.
Choosing a wallpaper from Apple's collections
The default view shows Apple's built-in wallpapers sorted into categories like Nature, Solid Colors, Dynamic, and Collections. Scroll through the grid and click any image to preview it. Your Mac shows you how it will look on your screen in real time.
Once you find one you like, click it again to confirm the selection. The wallpaper changes when ready on your desktop or lock screen, depending on which tab you were on. If you change your mind, straightforward go back to Wallpaper settings and pick a different image.
Using your own photos as wallpaper
To use a photo from your computer instead of Apple's images, click the Add button (a plus sign) at the bottom of the Wallpaper panel. A file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored and click it to select it.
Your photo appears in the Wallpaper panel under a Custom section at the top. Click it to set it as your wallpaper. You can add as many of your own photos as you want, and they will all stay in the Custom section for future use. If you want to remove a custom photo, right-click it and select Delete.
Setting different wallpapers for desktop and lock screen
By default, your Mac uses the same image for both your desktop and lock screen. To change this, go to Wallpaper settings and click the Desktop tab. Choose and set your desktop wallpaper. Then click the Lock Screen tab and choose a different image.
This is useful if you want a straightforward, clean look on your lock screen but a more detailed or colorful image on your desktop. You can mix Apple's images with your own photos — for example, use a solid color for your lock screen and a personal photo for your desktop.
Managing wallpaper on multiple displays
If you have two or more displays connected to your Mac, the Wallpaper panel shows a separate preview for each one. Click the preview for the display you want to change, then select your wallpaper. Each display can have its own unique image.
To see which preview belongs to which display, look at the small numbers or labels in the preview boxes. If you are not sure which is which, temporarily unplug one display to confirm. Once you know, you can set them up the way you want and plug everything back in.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is looking for wallpaper settings in the wrong place. Older versions of macOS put this option under System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver instead of System Settings > Wallpaper. If you cannot find Wallpaper in System Settings, check the FAQ below for your macOS version.
Another issue is uploading a photo that is too small or the wrong shape for your screen. If your photo looks stretched or blurry, try a larger image or one that matches your screen's width-to-height ratio. Most modern photos from phones or cameras work fine, but very old or heavily compressed images may not look sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the wallpaper setting on older Macs?
On macOS Monterey and earlier, open System Preferences (not System Settings), click Desktop & Screen Saver, and choose Desktop or Screen Saver from the tabs. The process is the same — select a category and click an image — but the menu location is different. If you are not sure which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu and select About This Mac.
Can I set a video or animated image as my wallpaper?
Yes. Apple's Dynamic wallpapers are animated and change throughout the day. To use one, go to Wallpaper settings, find the Dynamic category, and click an image. Your Mac will animate it automatically. You cannot use custom video files as wallpaper, but the built-in Dynamic options work well.
Why does my wallpaper look blurry or stretched?
Your image may be too small for your screen resolution. Try using a photo that is at least 1920 pixels wide. Also check that the image's width-to-height ratio matches your screen — for example, a very tall, narrow photo may not fit a wide desktop. If the image is correct, try restarting your Mac.
Can I schedule my wallpaper to change automatically?
Yes. In the Wallpaper panel, look for an option that says "Change picture" and set it to every hour, day, or week. Your Mac will rotate through the images in whichever category you selected. This works with both Apple's collections and your custom photos if you have multiple ones saved.
What happens to my wallpaper if I update macOS?
Your custom wallpapers and settings stay the same after a macOS update. Apple's built-in wallpapers may change or be removed in new versions, but your personal photos will remain in the Custom section and continue to work.