The quickest way to change your Mac background

Open System Settings, click Wallpaper in the sidebar, then select Desktop. Choose a built-in image or click Add to upload your own photo. The change takes effect when ready. If you want different backgrounds on multiple monitors, each one has its own setting in that same Wallpaper menu.

You can also right-click directly on your desktop, select Change Wallpaper, and pick from the same library without opening System Settings. Both routes do the same thing — use whichever feels faster to you.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings > Wallpaper > Desktop is the main place to change your background, and changes explore when ready.
  • You can upload your own photos instead of using Apple's built-in images, and the file stays on your Mac.
  • Right-clicking your desktop and selecting Change Wallpaper is a faster shortcut if you already know which image you want.
  • Each monitor on a multi-display setup can have its own background, set separately in the Wallpaper menu.
  • Screensavers and lock screen images are separate settings — changing your desktop background does not change those.

Using System Settings for more control

System Settings gives you the most options. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then click Wallpaper in the left sidebar. You will see three tabs: Desktop, Lock Screen, and Screensaver. Click Desktop to change what appears behind your open windows.

The Desktop tab shows Apple's built-in collections — Dynamic (changes throughout the day), Light, Dark, and several others organized by color or theme. Click any image to preview it, then click Set Desktop to confirm. If you have multiple monitors, a dropdown menu at the top lets you choose which display to change.

To use your own photo, click Add at the bottom of the image list. Navigate to the folder where your photo lives, select it, and click Open. Your photo appears in the list and stays there for future use — you do not need to re-upload it each time.

The right-click shortcut for faster changes

Right-click anywhere on your desktop (not on a file or folder icon) and select Change Wallpaper from the menu. A small window opens showing the same image library as System Settings. Click any image to set it when ready — no confirmation step needed.

This method is faster if you already know which background you want and do not need to adjust other settings. The downside is that you cannot add your own photos this way — you have to use System Settings for that first step.

Adding and organizing your own photos

Any photo file on your Mac can become a background. Go to System Settings > Wallpaper > Desktop, click Add, and select your image. Supported formats include JPEG, PNG, HEIF, and TIFF. The photo does not move or get copied — macOS just remembers where it lives, so if you delete the original file later, the background breaks.

If you plan to use a photo as a background long-term, keep it in a permanent folder like Pictures or Documents rather than Downloads. You can also create a dedicated folder for backgrounds to keep them organized. Once you add a photo, it stays in your wallpaper list even if you switch to a different background, so you can rotate between your own images without re-adding them.

Separate settings for lock screen and screensaver

Your desktop background, lock screen image, and screensaver are three independent settings. Changing your desktop background does not affect the image you see when your Mac is locked or sleeping. To change those, open System Settings > Wallpaper and click the Lock Screen or Screensaver tab instead.

Lock Screen controls what appears when you wake your Mac or log in. Screensaver is what plays when your Mac is idle for a set time. You can use the same image for all three, or mix and match — the choice is yours. Each one has its own library and upload option.

Troubleshooting background changes that do not stick

If you set a background and it reverts to the default, the most common cause is that you deleted the original photo file. If you used your own image, make sure the file still exists in its original location. If it does not, go back to System Settings, click Add, and select a new copy of the photo from a backup or cloud storage.

If a built-in Apple background stops appearing, restart your Mac. Open the Apple menu, select Restart, and wait for your Mac to boot back up. After restart, go to System Settings > Wallpaper > Desktop and set your background again. If the problem persists, try a different image to confirm the setting itself is working.

Using different backgrounds on multiple monitors

If you have two or more displays connected to your Mac, each one can show a different background. Open System Settings > Wallpaper > Desktop. At the top of the window, a dropdown menu shows your displays — usually labeled by size or position, like "Built-in Retina Display" and "LG Monitor". Select the first display, choose its background, then switch to the next display and set a different one.

Your Mac remembers which background goes with which display. If you disconnect a monitor and reconnect it later, the background you set for it will return. If you connect a new display for the first time, it defaults to the same background as your main display until you change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a video or animated background on my Mac?

The Desktop tab in System Settings does not support video files. However, the Dynamic wallpaper option changes throughout the day and creates a subtle animation effect. If you want a true video background, third-party apps like Lively Wallpaper or similar tools can do this, but they require installation and may use more battery power.

What happens if I delete the photo I used as a background?

The background will disappear and your Mac will revert to a default image. To fix it, go back to System Settings > Wallpaper > Desktop, click Add, and select a new photo. Keep important background images in a permanent folder like Pictures rather than Downloads to avoid accidental deletion.

Can I schedule my background to change automatically?

Yes, if you use the Dynamic wallpaper option, it changes automatically throughout the day. For custom photos, macOS does not have a built-in scheduler, but you can use third-party automation tools or the Shortcuts app to change backgrounds on a schedule if you need that feature.

Does changing my desktop background affect my login screen?

No. Your lock screen image is a separate setting in System Settings > Wallpaper > Lock Screen. You can use the same image for both, but changing one does not change the other automatically.

What image formats work for custom backgrounds?

JPEG, PNG, HEIF, and TIFF files all work. Most photos from your camera or phone are already in one of these formats. If you have an older BMP or GIF file, you can convert it to JPEG using Preview or an online converter before adding it as a background.