Changing wallpaper on Windows 10 and 11

Right-click on an empty area of your desktop — anywhere there are no icons or open windows. A menu will appear. Select Personalize from the list.

Windows will open the Settings app to the Personalization section. On the left side, click Background. You will see a dropdown menu that says "Personalize your background." Click it and choose Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow depending on what you want.

If you choose Picture, click the Browse button to select an image from your computer. Windows will show you folders where pictures are usually stored — Pictures, Documents, or Downloads. Find the image you want and click it, then click Choose picture. The image will appear on your desktop immediately.

If you want a solid color instead, the Background dropdown will show color options. Click the color you want and it will change right away. If you choose Slideshow, you can pick a folder of images and set how often Windows switches between them.

Changing wallpaper on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Look for Wallpaper or Desktop & Screen Saver in the sidebar.

Click Desktop. You will see thumbnails of built-in wallpapers organized by category — Dynamic, Light, Dark, and Collections. Click any image to set it as your wallpaper. The change happens immediately.

To use your own image, click the + button at the bottom left and navigate to a folder on your computer. Select the image and it will be added to your options. You can also drag an image directly from Finder onto the wallpaper preview.

Changing wallpaper on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Wallpaper, then tap Add New Wallpaper.

You will see options: Featured (Apple's built-in wallpapers), Photos (images from your device), or Collections (organized themes). Choose one. If you pick Photos, select an image from your library. If you pick Featured or Collections, scroll through and tap the image you want.

Tap Add in the top-right corner. A menu will ask where you want to set it — Lock Screen, Home Screen, or Both. Choose your preference and tap Set. The wallpaper will change immediately.

Changing wallpaper on Android

Long-press on an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap Wallpapers or Wallpaper (the exact wording depends on your phone's manufacturer).

You will see categories of wallpapers — often labeled by theme or source. Tap a category to browse options. When you find one you like, tap it to see a preview, then tap Apply or Set as wallpaper.

Some phones will ask whether to set it on your home screen, lock screen, or both. Choose what you want. The wallpaper will change right away. If you want to use a photo from your phone instead, look for a Photos or My Images option in the wallpaper menu, select your image, and tap Apply.

Where to find wallpaper images

Your device comes with built-in wallpapers you can use without downloading anything. On Windows, these are in the Settings app. On Mac, they are in System Settings under Wallpaper. On iPhone and iPad, they are under Featured and Collections in the Wallpaper menu. On Android, they are in the default wallpaper app.

If you want images beyond what came with your device, you can use photos you have taken yourself. On any device, you can set a personal photo as your wallpaper by navigating to it through the wallpaper menu and selecting it.

Free wallpaper websites exist — Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay all offer images you can download. Download an image to your device, then use the steps above to set it as your wallpaper. Make sure the image is at least as wide and tall as your screen resolution for the best appearance.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your wallpaper does not change after you select it, try restarting your device. On Windows, if the Settings app does not open, try right-clicking the desktop again and choosing a different option, or open Settings manually through the Start menu. On Mac, if changes do not appear, close System Settings completely and reopen it.

If an image looks stretched or cut off, it may be the wrong size for your screen. Try a different image, or look for one that matches your screen's width-to-height ratio. Most modern phones use a ratio of about 9:16 (taller than it is wide), while most computer monitors use 16:9 (wider than it is tall).

On Android, if you do not see a Wallpaper option when you long-press the home screen, try opening the Google Play Store and downloading a wallpaper app like Zedge or Walli. These apps let you browse and set wallpapers without leaving the app.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click the desktop, select Personalize, click Background, and choose Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Wallpaper, and select from built-in options or add your own image.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Wallpaper, choose an image, and select whether to set it on the lock screen, home screen, or both.
  • On Android, long-press the home screen, tap Wallpapers, and select an image from the available categories or your own photos.
  • Your device comes with free wallpapers built in; you can also use your own photos or download images from free websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo I took as my wallpaper?

Yes. On any device, navigate to the wallpaper menu and look for an option called Photos, My Images, or Gallery. Select the photo you want and tap Apply or Set. The photo will become your wallpaper.

What size should my wallpaper image be?

The image should be at least as wide and tall as your screen resolution. For phones, look for images that are taller than they are wide (9:16 ratio). For computers, look for images wider than they are tall (16:9 ratio). If an image is too small, it may look blurry or stretched.

Can I set different wallpapers for my lock screen and home screen?

Yes, on iPhone and iPad. When you add a wallpaper, you will be asked whether to set it on the Lock Screen, Home Screen, or Both. Choose Lock Screen or Home Screen to set them separately. On Android and Windows, this option varies by device and manufacturer.

Why does my wallpaper keep changing back?

On Windows, check that you are not using a slideshow that rotates images. On Mac, make sure you did not set a dynamic wallpaper that changes throughout the day. On phones, restart the device. If the problem continues, try setting the wallpaper again from the beginning.

Where can I download free wallpapers?

Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay all offer free images. Download an image to your device, then use your device's wallpaper menu to set it. Make sure the image is large enough for your screen size.