What you can change on Google's homepage

Google lets you change the background image on your homepage — the picture that appears behind the search box when you open a new tab or visit google.com. You cannot change the logo, the search box itself, or the layout, but you can pick from Google's collection of images or upload your own photo.

The background setting is tied to your Google account, so it will appear the same way on any device where you sign in — your phone, tablet, or computer. If you sign out or use a private browsing window, you will see Google's default background instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the Google homepage to open the background menu.
  • You can choose from Google's built-in collections or upload a photo from your computer.
  • Your background choice saves automatically to your Google account and appears on all your devices.
  • If you want to remove a custom background, click the pencil icon again and select a new one or choose the default option.

How to pick a background from Google's collection

Open google.com or a new tab in your browser and look for the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the page. Click it to open a small menu with background options.

Google organizes backgrounds into categories like Landscapes, Textures, and Inspiration. Click any category to see the images inside. When you find one you like, click it once — it will explore when ready to your homepage. The pencil icon will still be visible so you can change it again anytime.

If you want to explore more images without committing to one, hover over a background to see a preview. Once you click it, that choice becomes your active background.

How to upload your own photo as a background

Click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner and look for an "Upload from computer" option or a plus sign. Click it to open a file browser on your computer.

Navigate to the photo you want to use and click Open. The image will upload and become your new background when ready. Google will resize it to fit the homepage, so very small or oddly shaped photos may look stretched or cropped.

For the best result, use a photo that is at least 1920 pixels wide. Landscape-oriented photos (wider than they are tall) usually look better on the homepage than portrait-oriented ones.

Where your background choice is stored

Your background setting is saved in your Google account, not on your browser or computer. This means if you sign into your Google account on a different device — a work computer, a friend's tablet, or a new phone — you will see the same background you chose.

If you use multiple Google accounts, each account can have its own background. When you switch accounts, the background will change to match the account you are signed into.

Removing or changing your background

To switch to a different background, click the pencil icon again and choose a new image from the collections or upload a new photo. Your old choice will be replaced when ready.

If you want to go back to Google's default blank background, click the pencil icon and look for a "Default" or "None" option. Some versions of Google show this as a plain white or light gray tile in the collection menu.

Why your background might not appear

If you set a background but do not see it on your homepage, check whether you are signed into your Google account. Open your account menu in the top right corner — if it shows your name and profile picture, you are signed in. If it shows "Sign in" instead, click it and enter your credentials.

If you are signed in and still do not see your background, try clearing your browser cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac), select "All time" from the time range dropdown, check "Cookies and other site data", and click Clear data. Then refresh google.com.

Private or incognito browsing windows do not show custom backgrounds — they always display the default Google homepage. Open a regular browsing window to see your background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a background on Google if I am not signed into an account?

No. Custom backgrounds only work when you are signed into a Google account. If you are browsing in a private window or signed out, Google will show its default background. Sign in to your account to see your chosen background.

Will my background show up on my phone if I set it on my computer?

Yes, as long as you are signed into the same Google account on both devices. Open google.com or a new tab on your phone and your background will appear. The image may look different on smaller screens depending on how Google crops it.

What file types can I upload as a background?

Google accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. Most photos from your phone or camera will be JPG, which works fine. If you have a PNG or GIF, those work too. Avoid very large files — if your photo is over 10 MB, try compressing it first.

Can I set a different background for each browser?

No. Your background is tied to your Google account, not to a specific browser. If you sign into the same Google account in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, you will see the same background in all of them.

What happens to my background if I delete my Google account?

Your background setting will be deleted along with your account. If you create a new Google account later, you will need to set a new background. There is no way to recover a deleted background after the account is gone.