The quickest way to change your MacBook background

Open System Settings, click Wallpaper in the left sidebar, then select a new image from the gallery or upload your own. The change takes effect immediately on your desktop. The whole process takes under a minute.

Your MacBook stores several built-in wallpaper collections — macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, nature scenes, abstract designs, and others. You can also use any photo from your computer, a folder of photos, or a color. If you want different backgrounds on multiple monitors, you can set them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings > Wallpaper is the only place you need to go; there is no separate control panel or hidden menu.
  • Built-in wallpapers are organized by collection, and you can preview each one before selecting it.
  • You can set a different background for each monitor if your MacBook is connected to external displays.
  • If you want your background to change automatically, you can set it to rotate through a folder of photos at intervals you choose.
  • Wallpaper changes do not affect your login screen unless you also change the lock screen separately.

Opening System Settings and finding the Wallpaper section

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. On older Macs running macOS Monterey or earlier, this was called System Preferences. Once System Settings opens, look for Wallpaper in the left sidebar — it appears under the Dock section. Click it.

If you do not see Wallpaper in the sidebar, scroll down. On some MacBook models or older versions of macOS, you may need to click General first, then look for Wallpaper or Desktop as a subsection. The exact location varies slightly depending on your macOS version, but it is always within System Settings.

Choosing from built-in wallpapers or uploading your own

Once you open the Wallpaper section, you will see a grid of wallpaper collections on the left side of the window. Click any collection — for example, "macOS Big Sur" or "Nature" — and a preview of each wallpaper in that collection appears on the right. Click the one you want, and it becomes your desktop background instantly.

To use a photo from your computer instead, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the collections list, or drag a photo directly into the wallpaper window. You can also select a folder of photos, and your MacBook will rotate through them at intervals you set. If you want a solid color instead, look for the Color option in the collections list.

Setting different backgrounds for multiple monitors

If your MacBook is connected to an external monitor or projector, you can set a different wallpaper for each display. In the Wallpaper section of System Settings, you will see small thumbnails of each connected display at the top of the window. Click the display you want to change, then select a new wallpaper for it. The change applies only to that display.

This is useful if you use an external monitor for work and want a different look on your MacBook screen, or if you have multiple monitors and want variety across them. Each display remembers its own wallpaper setting, so if you disconnect and reconnect a monitor later, it returns to the wallpaper you chose for it.

Rotating wallpapers automatically from a folder

If you have a folder of photos and want your background to change automatically, add that folder to your wallpaper settings. Click the plus sign (+) in the Wallpaper section, navigate to your folder, and select it. Your MacBook will then cycle through the photos in that folder at regular intervals.

After you select a folder, look for the option to set how often the background changes — usually labeled "Change picture" with a dropdown menu. You can choose intervals like every hour, every day, or when you wake your Mac. If you check the "Random order" option, the photos will shuffle rather than cycle in the order they appear in the folder.

Changing your lock screen separately from your desktop

Your lock screen (the screen you see when your Mac is locked or asleep) is separate from your desktop wallpaper. To change your lock screen, open System Settings, click Lock Screen in the left sidebar, and follow the same steps — choose a built-in image or upload your own. You can have a completely different image on your lock screen than on your desktop.

Some people use a simple, minimal image for their lock screen and a more detailed or personal photo for their desktop. Others match them. The choice is yours, and changing one does not affect the other.

Troubleshooting common wallpaper problems

If a wallpaper you uploaded does not appear or looks stretched, check that the image file is in a supported format — JPEG, PNG, HEIF, or TIFF usually work. Very small images may look pixelated when stretched to fill your screen; larger images (at least 1920 by 1200 pixels) display more clearly. If the image still does not work, try converting it to JPEG format using Preview or another image tool.

If your wallpaper reverts to the default after restart, make sure you have permission to access the image file. If the file is on an external drive or network location, your Mac may lose access to it. Move the image to your Pictures folder or Desktop to keep it accessible. If automatic wallpaper rotation stops working, check that the folder still exists and contains images in a supported format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a live photo or video as my wallpaper?

macOS does not support live photos or videos as desktop wallpapers. You can use still images only. However, some third-party apps from the Mac App Store offer animated wallpapers if you want motion on your desktop.

Will changing my wallpaper affect my login screen?

No. Your desktop wallpaper and login screen are separate. To change your login screen, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and choose a new image there. Your desktop wallpaper will not change unless you modify it in the Wallpaper section.

What happens if I delete a photo I used as a wallpaper?

If you delete the original photo file, your Mac will revert to the default wallpaper the next time you restart or the next time it tries to rotate to that image. To avoid this, keep wallpaper photos in a permanent location like your Pictures folder rather than your Downloads folder.

Can I set a different wallpaper for each user account on my Mac?

Yes. Each user account has its own System Settings, so you can set different wallpapers for each person who logs in. When you switch users, the wallpaper changes to match that account's settings.