How to Change the Lock Screen on Mac

Your Mac's lock screen is the first thing you see when you wake your computer — and it's more customizable than most people realize. Whether you want to update the wallpaper, adjust what's displayed before login, or tighten up security settings, macOS gives you several ways to make changes. What those changes look like depends heavily on which version of macOS you're running.

What the Mac Lock Screen Actually Is

The lock screen on a Mac appears when the computer wakes from sleep, after a screensaver kicks in, or when you manually lock it. It's distinct from the login window (which appears at startup), though the two overlap in function — both require authentication before you can access your desktop.

The lock screen can display:

• Your user account picture
• A custom message (useful for identifying a work machine or adding contact info)
• The time and date
• Media playback controls if music is playing
• Notification previews (depending on your settings)

Understanding this distinction matters because some settings affect only the lock screen, while others affect both the lock screen and the login window.

How to Change the Lock Screen Wallpaper

On macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Later

Apple redesigned lock screen customization starting with macOS Ventura (13). To change the lock screen wallpaper:

1. Open System Settings (not System Preferences — Apple renamed this in Ventura)
2. Click Wallpaper in the sidebar
3. Choose an image from Apple's built-in options, or click the + button to add your own photo

In macOS Sonoma and later, you can set different wallpapers for the lock screen and the desktop — similar to how iPhone handles it. The lock screen wallpaper appears slightly blurred or dimmed by default to keep text readable.

On macOS Monterey and Earlier

On macOS Monterey (12) and older versions, the lock screen and desktop share the same wallpaper. To change it:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Go to Desktop & Screen Saver
3. Select a new image from Apple's library or navigate to a custom file

There's no separate lock screen wallpaper option in these versions — whatever you set as your desktop background is what you'll see on the lock screen.

How to Add or Change the Lock Screen Message

A lock screen message is a small line of text displayed beneath your user name. It's handy for adding contact information or a note like "If found, please call…"

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Go to Lock Screen (Ventura and later) or Security & Privacy (Monterey and earlier)
3. Look for "Show message when screen is locked"
4. Toggle it on and enter your message

This message is visible to anyone who sees your lock screen — so keep that in mind before adding personal details.

Adjusting When the Lock Screen Appears 🔒

The lock screen doesn't just look different — it behaves differently depending on your settings. You control when it activates under:

• System Settings → Lock Screen (macOS Ventura+)
• System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General (macOS Monterey and earlier)

Key settings here include:

Setting "Require password immediately" gives the tightest security. Longer delays are more convenient but leave a window where someone could access your Mac if you step away.

Changing Your Login Picture (What Shows on the Lock Screen)

Your user account photo appears on the lock screen. To update it:

1. Open System Settings → Users & Groups (or System Preferences → Users & Groups)
2. Click your user account
3. Click the profile picture to change it — you can use a photo, emoji, initials, or a Memoji

This change reflects immediately on the lock screen.

Using Touch ID and the Lock Screen Together

If your Mac has Touch ID (most modern MacBooks and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID), you can unlock from the lock screen with a fingerprint — no password typing required. Touch ID is configured separately under System Settings → Touch ID & Password.

Touch ID doesn't change what the lock screen looks like, but it changes how you interact with it. This matters for users who prioritize convenience vs. those who prefer or require password entry for compliance reasons.

What Varies Between Setups

The options available to you shift based on a few key variables:

• macOS version — Ventura and later offer separate lock screen and desktop wallpapers; older versions don't
• Mac model — Touch ID availability depends on hardware generation
• Managed or enterprise devices — IT-managed Macs may have lock screen settings locked down by an administrator via MDM (Mobile Device Management), overriding your personal preferences
• User account type — Standard users vs. administrators may have different levels of access to lock screen settings

Someone on a personal MacBook Air running Sonoma has full flexibility. Someone on a company-issued MacBook with MDM profiles applied may find certain options grayed out entirely. The same macOS setting path leads to meaningfully different outcomes depending on what's sitting underneath.