What a lock screen is and why you'd change it
Your lock screen is the image or display you see when you first wake up your phone, tablet, or computer — before you enter your password or use your fingerprint. It appears between the moment you pick up the device and the moment you unlock it to use apps. Changing it means replacing that image or background with something different: a photo, a solid color, a clock display, or whatever your device allows.
People change their lock screen for the same reasons they change any background: they want something they like looking at, or they want to personalize their device. Some people set it to a family photo, others to a landscape, and some just want a color that matches their mood. It's purely a preference — changing your lock screen doesn't affect how your device works or its security.
The steps to change it are different depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. Each one has its own menu, and the names of those menus vary. This guide walks through each type so you can find the right setting on whatever device you own.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, you change the lock screen through Settings, then Wallpaper, then choose Add New Wallpaper and select Lock Screen.
- On Android phones, the path is usually Settings, then Display or Wallpaper, though the exact names differ by phone brand.
- On Windows computers, right-click the desktop background and select Personalize, then Lock Screen from the left menu.
- On Macs, go to System Settings, then Wallpaper, and choose the lock screen option from the sidebar.
- You can use photos from your device's library, built-in images that came with the device, or read new ones from the internet first.
Changing your lock screen on an iPhone
Open the Settings app — the gray gear icon usually on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Wallpaper. You'll see a screen showing your current lock screen and home screen wallpapers side by side. Tap Add New Wallpaper at the bottom.
A menu appears with options: Photos (your photo library), Suggested (images Apple provides), and sometimes other categories depending on your iPhone model. If you want to use a photo you took, tap Photos, find the photo, and tap it. If you want one of Apple's built-in images, tap Suggested and scroll through the options.
Once you've chosen an image, you'll see a preview. At the bottom, make sure Lock Screen is selected — not Home Screen. Then tap Add in the top right corner. The new image is now your lock screen. If you want to change it again later, repeat these steps.
Changing your lock screen on an Android phone
The exact steps depend on your phone brand — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others each arrange their menus slightly differently. The most common path is: open Settings, then look for Display or Wallpaper. If you see Wallpaper, tap it. If you see Display, tap it and then look for Wallpaper or Lock Screen within that menu.
Once you're in the Wallpaper section, you'll usually see options like Gallery (your photos), Wallpapers (built-in images), or Lock Screen. Tap Lock Screen specifically — don't tap Home Screen by mistake. Then choose whether you want to pick from your photos or from the device's built-in collection.
Select the image you want, and you'll see a preview. Tap Set, explore, or Confirm — the button name varies by brand. Your new lock screen is now active. If the exact menu names don't match what you see, try searching "lock screen" in your phone's Settings search bar at the top — most Android phones have this feature.
Changing your lock screen on a Windows computer
Right-click anywhere on your desktop background — the empty space, not on an icon or file. A small menu pops up. Click Personalize. A Settings window opens.
On the left side of the window, you'll see a menu. Click Lock Screen. The main area now shows your current lock screen and options to change it. Under "Personalize your lock screen," you'll see a dropdown menu that usually says Windows Spotlight or Picture. Click that dropdown.
If you select Picture, a button labeled Browse appears below. Click it to choose a photo from your computer. If you select Windows Spotlight, Windows automatically rotates through images — you don't pick one. Once you've made your choice, the lock screen updates when ready. The next time you lock your computer or it locks automatically, you'll see the new image.
Changing your lock screen on a 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, click Wallpaper.
A window opens showing different categories: Desktop, Lock Screen, and sometimes others depending on your Mac model. Click Lock Screen in the sidebar. You'll see thumbnail images of available wallpapers. Click any image to preview it. Once you've chosen one, it becomes your lock screen when ready — there's no separate "save" or "explore" button.
If you want to use a photo you took instead of a built-in image, click the + button at the bottom of the window, navigate to your photo, and select it. That photo then appears in your wallpaper options and you can set it as your lock screen the same way.
Using your own photos instead of built-in images
All devices let you use photos from your library as your lock screen. The process is the same as the steps above — you just choose Photos or Gallery instead of the built-in wallpaper collection. On phones, open the Wallpaper or Lock Screen menu, tap Photos, and select the image you want. On computers, use the Browse button (Windows) or the + button (Mac) to navigate to your photo files.
One thing to know: your lock screen image will be cropped or resized to fit your device's screen shape. A photo that looks good on your phone might look different on your computer, and vice versa. Most devices show you a preview before you confirm, so you can see how it will actually look before you set it.
If you don't have a photo you like yet, you can read images from the internet first. Save them to your device, then follow the same steps to set them as your lock screen. Just make sure you have permission to use the image — many websites have free images you can use, but some require credit or have restrictions.
Troubleshooting if the change doesn't stick
Occasionally a lock screen change doesn't take effect, or it reverts to the old image. On phones, try restarting the device — turn it off completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then check your lock screen. On computers, restart as well, or try the change again and make sure you clicked the final confirmation button.
If you're on an iPhone and the change still doesn't work, make sure you tapped Add at the end, not just Preview. On Android, confirm you selected Lock Screen and not Home Screen. On Windows, verify that you're in the Lock Screen section of Settings, not the Themes section — they're different menus. If you're still stuck, try a different image to see if the problem is with that specific photo or with the process itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different lock screen image for different times of day?
iPhones with iOS 16 or newer allow this through Focus modes — you can set a lock screen for Work, Sleep, Personal, and other modes. Android phones vary by brand; some Samsung models offer this, but many don't. Windows and Mac don't have built-in scheduling, though some third-party apps exist.
What if I want to go back to the original lock screen?
On iPhones, go back to Wallpaper settings and choose the original Apple image. On Android, do the same through your Wallpaper menu. On Windows and Mac, select the default wallpaper from the built-in collection. You can always change it again later.
Does changing my lock screen affect my home screen or desktop?
No. Your lock screen and home screen (on phones) or desktop (on computers) are separate. You can change one without touching the other. If you want to change both, you'll need to go through the process twice — once for the lock screen and once for the home screen or desktop.
Can I use a video or animated image as my lock screen?
iPhones allow live wallpapers, which are short animated images. Android phones vary — some brands support animated wallpapers, others don't. Windows and Mac typically don't support video lock screens, though some third-party software exists. Check your device's wallpaper options to see what's available.
What image size or format works best?
Your device automatically resizes any image you choose to fit your screen, so you don't need to worry about exact dimensions. Common formats like JPG and PNG work on all devices. Very large files might take longer to load, but most photos from phones or cameras work fine without any editing.