The quickest way to change your lock screen
The steps to change your lock screen depend on what device you use. On Windows, you go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. On Mac, you go to System Settings > Lock Screen. On iPhone, you go to Settings > Lock Screen. On Android, you go to Settings > Display > Lock screen or Settings > Wallpaper, depending on your phone model. Each path takes about two minutes once you know where to look.
The lock screen is the image or pattern you see when your device is asleep or turned off. Changing it does not affect your password or security — it is purely visual. You can set a photo, a solid color, or a dynamic image that changes automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users find lock screen settings under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, where you can choose a photo, slideshow, or solid color.
- Mac users go to System Settings > Lock Screen and can set a photo or use the default Apple designs.
- iPhone users open Settings > Lock Screen and can customize the font, color, and background image for each lock screen they create.
- Android users typically find lock screen options under Settings > Display > Lock screen or Settings > Wallpaper, though the exact path varies by manufacturer.
- You can use any photo from your device's storage, or download new images from your device's built-in photo library or app store.
How to change your lock screen on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Click Personalization on the left side. Click Lock screen. You will see three options: Picture, Slideshow, or Solid color.
If you choose Picture, click Browse and select a photo from your computer. Windows will show you a preview before you confirm. If you choose Slideshow, click Browse to pick a folder of photos, and Windows will rotate through them each time your screen locks. If you choose Solid color, click the color box and pick from the palette.
You can also turn on the option "Get fun facts, tips, and more on your lock screen" if you want Windows to display rotating content instead of a static image. This is separate from your chosen background and will override it.
How to change your lock screen on 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 at the top.
Click the image preview to open the photo picker. You can choose from Apple's built-in designs, your own photos from the Photos app, or any image file on your computer. Once you select an image, it becomes your lock screen immediately. You can also adjust the text that appears on your lock screen — the date, time, and any custom text you add — by clicking the text options below the preview.
How to change your lock screen on iPhone
Open Settings and tap Lock Screen. You will see your current lock screen at the top. Tap the preview or the plus button to create a new lock screen or edit the existing one.
Tap Choose a Photo to pick an image from your Photos app, or tap one of the built-in designs like Weather, Astronomy, or Emoji. Once you pick an image, you can customize the font style, font color, and the color of the time display. You can create multiple lock screens and swipe between them on your actual device — just tap the plus button again to add another one.
If you want to set a lock screen for specific times of day or specific people, tap Customize below the preview and set up Focus modes. This lets you have different lock screens for work, sleep, or personal time.
How to change your lock screen on Android
The exact path varies by phone manufacturer, but the most common route is: open Settings, tap Display, and look for Lock screen or Wallpaper. Some phones call it "Lock screen wallpaper" and some call it "Wallpaper." If you cannot find it under Display, try searching "lock screen" in Settings.
Once you find the lock screen section, tap it and choose from your phone's photo gallery, built-in designs, or a wallpaper app. Select an image and confirm. Some Android phones let you set a different lock screen image and home screen image; others use the same wallpaper for both.
If your phone has a lock screen style or theme option, you can also customize the clock design, notification visibility, and shortcut buttons that appear on the lock screen itself. These options are usually in the same menu as the wallpaper choice.
Using photos from the internet or apps
If you want a lock screen image that is not already on your device, you have two options: download it first, or use an app that provides lock screen images.
To download an image, open your web browser, find the image you want, press and hold it (on phone) or right-click it (on computer), and select Save Image. On Windows and Mac, the image goes to your Downloads folder. On iPhone, it goes to your Photos app. On Android, it goes to your Downloads folder or directly to your Photos app, depending on your browser.
Alternatively, you can download a lock screen app from the Microsoft Store (Windows), App Store (iPhone), or Google Play Store (Android). These apps provide curated collections of images, and some let you set a new lock screen image automatically on a schedule. Read the reviews before downloading to make sure the app does not require payment or excessive permissions.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your lock screen image does not appear or reverts to the default, the most common cause is that your device automatically changed it. On Windows, check Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and make sure "Get fun facts, tips, and more" is turned off if you want your chosen image to stay. On iPhone, check if a Focus mode is overriding your lock screen — tap Customize under your lock screen preview and check each Focus mode's settings.
If you cannot find the lock screen settings on Android, search for "wallpaper" instead of "lock screen" — some manufacturers hide it under that name. If an image you downloaded will not show up, make sure it is in your Photos app or Downloads folder, not just in your browser history.
On any device, if the image looks stretched or cropped, try a different image or resize your chosen photo to match your screen's aspect ratio. Most lock screen images work best when they are taller than they are wide (portrait orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my lock screen affect my password or security?
No. Your lock screen image is purely visual and has no connection to your password, PIN, or biometric security. Changing it does not make your device more or less secure.
Can I set a different lock screen for different times of day?
Yes, on iPhone through Focus modes — each Focus can have its own lock screen. On Android and Windows, you would need a third-party app to automate this. On Mac, you cannot set multiple lock screens.
What image size or format works best for a lock screen?
Portrait-oriented images (taller than wide) work best. Most devices accept JPG, PNG, and HEIF formats. If your image looks stretched or cropped, try resizing it to match your device's screen dimensions — your device's specifications page lists the exact resolution.
Can I use a video or animated GIF as my lock screen?
iPhone allows animated wallpapers through the Lock Screen customization menu. Windows, Mac, and most Android phones do not support animated lock screens, though some Android manufacturers offer this as an experimental feature. Check your device's lock screen settings to see if the option is available.
Will my lock screen change if I update my device?
Usually not. Your chosen lock screen image typically stays in place after a software update. However, if you are using a built-in design that the update removes, your device may revert to the default.