What changing the background means
Changing the background means replacing the image or color you see on your screen when nothing else is open. On a computer, this is the desktop — the space behind your windows and files. On a phone, it is the lock screen (the image you see before you unlock it) or the home screen (what appears behind your app icons). The background stays the same until you change it again, so you only do this once.
The background is purely visual and does not affect how your device works. Changing it will not speed up your computer, drain your battery faster, or cause any problems. It is one of the safest changes you can make.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, then select a new background image or color from the menu.
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to Wallpaper, and click the image you want, or drag your own photo into the preview.
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Wallpaper, choose Lock Screen or Home Screen, then select a new image or color.
- On Android, long-press the home screen, tap Wallpaper, and select from the built-in gallery or your own photos.
- You can use any image stored on your device, or choose from the pre-loaded options that came with it.
Changing the background on Windows
Right-click anywhere on your desktop (the empty space behind all your open windows). A small menu will appear. Look for the word "Personalize" and click it. A settings window will open.
On the left side of this window, click "Background." You will see three choices at the top: Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow. Most people choose Picture. Below that, you will see thumbnails of images already on your computer. Click any one to preview it. Once you find one you like, it becomes your background when ready — there is no separate "Save" button.
If you want to use your own photo instead, click "Browse" at the bottom of the Picture section. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored, select it, and click "Choose this image." Your photo will now be your background.
Changing the background on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs). In the sidebar on the left, look for "Wallpaper" and click it.
You will see a grid of categories — Desktop, Nature, Solid Colors, and others. Click any category to see the images inside it. Click the image you want, and it becomes your background right away. If you want to use a photo from your computer instead, drag the photo directly into the preview area at the top, or click the plus sign and navigate to your photo folder.
Changing the background on iPhone
Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon). Scroll down and tap "Wallpaper." A new screen will show you your current lock screen and home screen backgrounds side by side.
Tap "Customize Lock Screen" to change what you see before you unlock your phone, or tap "Customize Home Screen" to change what appears behind your app icons. You can change one or both. A gallery will open showing built-in images organized by category — Nature, Emoji, Solid Colors, and others. Tap the image you want to preview it. If you like it, tap "Done" in the top-right corner. If you want to use a photo from your camera roll instead, tap "Photo Library" at the bottom of the gallery, find your photo, and tap it.
Changing the background on Android
Long-press (hold your finger on) any empty space on your home screen for two to three seconds. A menu will appear at the bottom. Tap "Wallpaper." A new screen will show you options for changing your lock screen, home screen, or both.
Tap the screen you want to change. A gallery will open with built-in images and categories. Tap any image to preview it. If you like it, tap "Set wallpaper" or "explore." If you want to use your own photo, look for "My photos" or "Gallery" in the menu, navigate to your photo, and tap it.
Using your own photos as a background
All devices let you use photos you have taken or downloaded. On any device, look for a button or option labeled "Browse," "My photos," "Photo Library," or "Gallery" when you are in the background settings. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored, tap or click the photo, and confirm your choice.
The photo will be resized to fit your screen. If your photo is very small or a different shape than your screen, it may look blurry or have empty space around it. Photos that are landscape-shaped (wider than they are tall) usually work best on computers. Photos that are portrait-shaped (taller than they are wide) usually work best on phones.
What to do if the background does not change
If you clicked or tapped what you thought was the background setting but nothing happened, you may have opened a different menu. Go back and look for the word "Wallpaper," "Background," or "Personalize" specifically. On Windows, make sure you right-clicked on the desktop itself, not on a file or folder.
If the image you selected does not appear, the file may be corrupted or in a format your device does not recognize. Try selecting a different image first to confirm the setting works. If a built-in image works but your own photo does not, try moving the photo to a different folder or restarting your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a different background on my lock screen and home screen?
Yes. On iPhone and Android, the Wallpaper settings let you customize the lock screen and home screen separately. On Windows and Mac, you have one background for the entire desktop, though you can change it as often as you want.
Will changing my background delete my files or programs?
No. The background is only the image or color behind everything else. Your files, programs, and data remain exactly as they were. You can change your background back to the original at any time.
What image formats work as backgrounds?
JPG, PNG, and GIF files work on all devices. BMP and TIFF files work on Windows and Mac. If you are unsure what format your photo is, look at the file name — the format is the letters after the final period (for example, photo.jpg or image.png).
Can I set a video as my background instead of a photo?
Windows and Mac do not support video backgrounds on the desktop. iPhone and some Android phones allow animated wallpapers, but these are usually pre-made options in the Wallpaper settings rather than videos you provide yourself. Check your device's Wallpaper menu to see if this option is available.
How do I go back to the original background?
Open your background settings the same way you did to change it. Look for a button labeled "Reset," "Default," or "Restore," or straightforward select one of the original images that came with your device. On any device, you can also choose a solid color background if you prefer simplicity.