What "home screen" means and why you might want to change it
Your home screen is the first thing you see when you unlock your phone or turn on your computer — the background image, the arrangement of apps or icons, and sometimes the widgets that show information at a glance. Changing it is purely cosmetic; it does not affect how your device works or what you can do with it. People change their home screen to make their device feel more personal, to organize apps in a way that makes sense to them, or simply because they want a different look.
The steps to change your home screen differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. Each system has its own method, and what you can customize varies. This guide walks through the actual steps for each type of device.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, you long-press the home screen itself (not an app) to enter edit mode, then tap the plus sign to add widgets or change the wallpaper.
- On Android phones, long-press an empty area of the home screen to access wallpaper and widget options, though the exact steps vary by manufacturer.
- On Windows computers, right-click the desktop background to change the wallpaper, or use Settings to customize the lock screen and taskbar.
- On Macs, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Wallpaper to change your background image.
- Rearranging apps or icons usually involves long-pressing an app and dragging it to a new location on any device.
Changing your home screen on an iPhone
On an iPhone, the home screen is the grid of app icons you see after you unlock the device. To change the wallpaper (background image), long-press any empty area of the home screen — not an app icon, but the space between them. A menu will appear with options including "Customize." Tap that option.
You will see a preview of your current home screen at the bottom and a "Wallpaper" button. Tap "Wallpaper" to choose a new background. You can pick from Apple's built-in images, use a photo from your camera roll, or create a custom color. Once you choose, tap "Set" and decide whether to apply it to the lock screen, home screen, or both.
To add widgets (small apps that show information like weather or calendar events without opening the full app), tap the plus sign in the bottom left corner while in customize mode. Search for the app you want a widget from, select it, choose the widget size, and tap "Add Widget." To rearrange app icons, long-press an app and drag it to a new spot. To remove an app from the home screen (without deleting it), long-press the app, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen."
Changing your home screen on an Android phone
On Android phones, the home screen is also the grid of app icons, but the exact steps to customize it depend on which manufacturer made your phone — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others each have slightly different interfaces. The most common method works on most devices: long-press an empty area of the home screen. A menu should appear with options like "Wallpapers," "Widgets," or "Home Screen Settings."
Tap "Wallpapers" to change the background image. You will usually see options for built-in wallpapers, photos from your device, or a live wallpaper (an animated background). Choose one and tap "Set Wallpaper" or "Apply." You may be asked whether to set it for the home screen, lock screen, or both.
To add widgets, long-press the home screen again and select "Widgets." Find the app you want a widget from, long-press the widget, and drag it onto your home screen. To move an app icon, long-press it and drag it to a new location. To remove an app from the home screen, long-press it and select "Remove from Home Screen" — this does not delete the app, only hides it from the home screen.
If these steps do not work on your phone, check your phone's manufacturer website or search "[Your Phone Model] how to change home screen" because some manufacturers customize the process significantly.
Changing your home screen on a Windows computer
On a Windows computer, your home screen is the desktop — the background you see when no windows are open. To change the wallpaper, right-click anywhere on the desktop background and select "Personalize." This opens the Settings app to the Personalization section.
Click "Background" on the left side. You will see options to choose a solid color, a built-in image, or a photo from your computer. Select what you want and it will apply immediately. You can also set a slideshow of multiple images by choosing "Slideshow" from the dropdown menu at the top.
To customize other parts of your home screen experience, you can also change your lock screen (the screen you see before you log in) by clicking "Lock Screen" in the same Personalization menu. You can rearrange the taskbar (the bar at the bottom with app icons) by right-clicking it and selecting "Taskbar Settings," though most people leave this as is.
Changing your home screen on a Mac
On a Mac, your home screen is the desktop background. To change it, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs). Click "Wallpaper" in the sidebar on the left.
You will see thumbnails of built-in wallpapers organized by category. Click any image to preview it, then click "Set Desktop" to apply it. You can also click "Add" to use a photo from your computer. If you want the wallpaper to change automatically throughout the day, check the box for "Change picture" and choose how often.
To customize your dock (the row of app icons usually at the bottom of the screen), right-click the dock divider line and select "Dock Settings." From there you can change the size, position, and behavior of the dock, though these are optional changes.
Organizing your apps and icons
Beyond changing the wallpaper, you can organize your apps to make your home screen work better for you. On any device, long-pressing an app icon usually lets you move it. On iPhones and some Android phones, you can create folders by dragging one app onto another — they will combine into a folder you can name. On Windows and Mac, you can create folders on the desktop by right-clicking and selecting "New Folder," then dragging app shortcuts into them.
Many people arrange their most-used apps in the center or bottom of the home screen where they are easiest to reach. Others group apps by category — all social media apps together, all productivity apps together, and so on. There is no right way to do this; it is entirely about what works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own photos as a wallpaper?
Yes, on all devices. On iPhones, tap "Wallpaper" in customize mode and select "Photos." On Android, long-press the home screen, tap "Wallpapers," and look for an option to choose from your photo library. On Windows, right-click the desktop, select "Personalize," then "Background," and choose "Picture" from the dropdown. On Mac, open System Settings, click "Wallpaper," and click "Add" to select a photo.
Will changing my home screen affect my files or apps?
No. Changing the wallpaper, rearranging apps, or adding widgets only changes how your home screen looks. Your files, photos, and app data remain exactly as they are. Removing an app from the home screen does not delete it — it just hides the icon.
What is the difference between changing the home screen and the lock screen?
The home screen is what you see after you unlock your device. The lock screen is what you see before you unlock it. Most devices let you set different wallpapers for each. On iPhones, you choose which one to apply when you set a wallpaper. On Windows and Mac, you customize the lock screen separately in Settings or System Settings.
Can I undo changes I made to my home screen?
Yes. You can always change your wallpaper again, move apps back to where they were, or delete folders you created. There is no permanent change — if you do not like how something looks, you can change it back immediately.
Why do some wallpapers look blurry or pixelated?
This usually happens when the image resolution is too low for your screen size. Built-in wallpapers are designed for your device, so they should look sharp. If you use your own photo and it looks blurry, try a higher-resolution image or a photo taken with better lighting.