What a lock screen is and why you might change it
Your lock screen is the image or display you see when you first turn on your phone or computer — before you enter a password or use fingerprint recognition. It appears every time the device wakes up from sleep mode. Changing it is a straightforward process that takes a few minutes and does not affect how your device works or any of your files.
People change their lock screen for different reasons: to use a personal photo instead of the default image, to display information like weather or calendar events, or simply because they want something different to look at. The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, you go to Settings > Lock Screen, then tap "Customize" to choose a photo, color, or style.
- On Android phones, the path varies by manufacturer, but usually starts in Settings > Display or Settings > Lock Screen.
- On Windows computers, right-click the desktop, select "Personalize," then choose "Lock Screen" from the left menu.
- On Mac computers, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and select a photo or screensaver from the options provided.
- You can use your own photos on any device, but the image quality and size affect how it looks on your screen.
Changing your lock screen on an iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find "Lock Screen." Tap it, then tap the "Customize" button at the bottom of the screen. You will see options to choose a photo, a color, or a style like emoji or weather.
If you want to use one of your own photos, tap "Photo Library" and select the image you want. The phone will show you how it will look on your lock screen. You can also add widgets — small boxes that show time, weather, or calendar information — by tapping the "+" button below the preview. When you are done, tap "Add" in the top right corner.
If you have multiple lock screens saved, you can swipe between them each time you unlock your phone. To delete one, swipe left on it in the Lock Screen settings and tap the trash icon.
Changing your lock screen on an Android phone
The exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer. On most Android phones, open Settings and look for "Display" or "Lock Screen." On Samsung phones, it is usually under Settings > Lock Screen. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Display > Lock Screen.
Once you find the lock screen settings, you will see options to choose a wallpaper, style, or clock design. Tap "Wallpaper" or "Background" to pick a photo from your phone's library or from the built-in options. Some phones let you set a different image for your lock screen and home screen; others use the same image for both.
If your phone offers lock screen widgets, you can add shortcuts to apps, weather, or calendar by tapping the "+" button or "Add Widgets" option. Save your changes when you are done.
Changing your lock screen on a Windows computer
Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select "Personalize" from the menu. In the window that opens, click "Lock Screen" in the left sidebar. You will see a preview of your current lock screen at the top.
Under "Personalize your lock screen," click the dropdown menu and choose from options like "Windows Spotlight" (which rotates images automatically), "Picture" (to use a single photo), or "Slideshow" (to cycle through multiple photos). If you choose "Picture," click "Browse" to select an image from your computer. If you choose "Slideshow," click "Browse" to pick a folder containing multiple images.
You can also turn on or off the lock screen apps — small notifications that appear on your lock screen — by scrolling down and toggling them on or off. When you are finished, close the settings window; your changes save automatically.
Changing your lock screen on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." Click "Lock Screen" in the sidebar. You will see a preview of your current lock screen.
To change the image, click the dropdown menu next to "Lock Screen" and choose from options like "Desktop & Screen Saver," "Photos," or "Solid Colors." If you select "Photos," you can pick a specific album or folder. If you select "Desktop & Screen Saver," the Mac will use whatever image you have set as your desktop background.
You can also set the lock screen to show the time, date, or weather by adjusting the options below the preview. Some Macs let you add widgets to the lock screen; if your model supports this, you will see an "Add Widgets" button.
Using your own photos as a lock screen
All devices let you use photos from your phone or computer as a lock screen. The photo should be at least 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall to look sharp, though most modern phones and computers will resize it automatically. If your photo is very small or has a different shape than your screen, it may appear blurry or have empty space around it.
On phones, you can crop the photo before setting it as your lock screen to make sure the important part is visible. On computers, you may need to resize the image using a photo editor before uploading it. Most devices support common formats like JPG and PNG.
Troubleshooting common lock screen problems
If your lock screen does not change after you select a new image, restart your device. On phones, this usually means turning it off and back on. On computers, restart from the Apple menu or Windows Start menu.
If a photo appears blurry or distorted, the image file may be too small or in an unsupported format. Try using a different photo or converting the file to JPG format. If widgets or notifications are not showing on your lock screen, check your device settings to make sure they are turned on — some devices have them disabled by default.
If you cannot find the lock screen settings, search your device's settings app for "lock screen" or "wallpaper." The exact location varies by device model and software version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different lock screen and home screen?
On iPhones and some Android phones, yes. You can set one image for your lock screen and a different one for your home screen. On Windows and Mac, the lock screen and desktop are separate, so you can customize each one independently.
Will changing my lock screen affect my files or passwords?
No. Your lock screen is purely visual and does not change how your device works, where your files are stored, or how your password functions. It is only the image you see before you unlock your device.
What if I want to go back to the default lock screen?
On iPhones, open Settings > Lock Screen and tap "Customize," then select one of Apple's built-in designs. On Android, go to your lock screen settings and choose a default option. On Windows and Mac, select "Windows Spotlight" or "Desktop & Screen Saver" to return to the system default.
Can I use a video or animated image as my lock screen?
Most phones and computers do not support video as a lock screen, though some newer iPhones and Android phones allow short video clips or animated wallpapers. Check your device's lock screen settings to see if this option is available. On computers, you can set a screensaver that plays when your device is idle, which is similar but different from a lock screen.
How often can I change my lock screen?
As often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can change it or how many lock screens you can save. On iPhones, you can swipe between multiple saved lock screens each time you unlock your phone.