Chrome lets you change the background image on your new tab page in three ways: use one of Google's built-in themes, upload your own photo, or choose a collection Google provides

The background you see when you open a new tab in Chrome is called the "Chrome background" or sometimes the "new tab page theme". You can change it without installing anything extra or signing into a special account — it's a built-in feature that takes about 30 seconds.

The change only affects what you see on your own computer. It doesn't change how websites look, and it doesn't affect other people using Chrome on different devices. If you use Chrome on multiple computers with the same Google account, each computer keeps its own background choice.

Key Takeaways

  • Open a new tab, click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner, and select "Background" to see all your options in one place.
  • Google provides free built-in collections like Earth, Landscapes, and Textures that you can apply with a single click.
  • You can upload any photo from your computer by clicking the upload button and selecting a file from your device.
  • If you change your mind, you can switch back to Chrome's default background or try a different image at any time.

Using Google's built-in background collections

The fastest way to change your background is to use one of Google's ready-made collections. Open a new tab in Chrome. In the bottom right corner, you'll see a small pencil icon — click it. A menu will pop up with several options. Click on "Background".

You'll see a grid of collections with names like "Earth", "Landscapes", "Textures", "Abstract", and others. Each collection contains several related images. Click any collection to see the images inside it, then click the image you want. It applies immediately to your new tab page.

These collections change occasionally as Google updates them, so if you check back in a few months you may see new options. The images are stored on Google's servers, so they load quickly even on slower internet connections.

Uploading your own photo as a background

If you want to use a photo from your computer, open a new tab and click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner again. Click "Background". At the top of the menu, you'll see an upload button (it usually shows a folder icon or the word "Upload"). Click it.

Your computer will open a file browser window. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved, click the photo you want, and click "Open". The image will appear on your new tab page. Chrome automatically resizes it to fit the space, so you don't need to edit the photo first.

You can upload photos in common formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and SVG. The file size doesn't matter much — Chrome handles large files without slowing down. If you upload a photo that's very small or an unusual shape, Chrome will stretch or repeat it to fill the space.

Switching between backgrounds and removing a background

Once you've set a background, you can change it anytime by opening a new tab and clicking the pencil icon again. Click "Background" and choose a different image or collection. Your previous choice disappears and the new one takes its place.

If you want to go back to Chrome's default blank background, open a new tab, click the pencil icon, click "Background", and look for an option labeled "Default" or a blank/empty thumbnail. Click it and your background will return to the plain gray or white page Chrome started with.

Removing a background you uploaded doesn't delete the photo from your computer — it only stops Chrome from showing it on your new tab page. The original file stays exactly where it was.

What happens to your background on different devices

If you sign into Chrome with a Google account on multiple computers, each device remembers its own background choice separately. You could have a mountain photo on your laptop and a city photo on your desktop, and they won't affect each other.

If you sign out of Chrome on one computer and sign in on another, the new computer won't automatically get the same background. You'll need to set it again on that device. This is by design — Chrome assumes you might want different backgrounds in different places.

If you use Chrome in Incognito mode (private browsing), it uses the same background as your regular Chrome window. Changing one changes the other.

Troubleshooting backgrounds that won't change

If you click an image but it doesn't appear on your new tab page, try closing the new tab and opening a fresh one. Sometimes Chrome needs a moment to load the change. If it still doesn't appear, refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac).

If the pencil icon doesn't appear in the bottom right corner of your new tab page, you may be using a Chrome extension that replaces the new tab page. Some extensions override Chrome's built-in new tab design. Check your extensions by typing chrome://extensions into the address bar and disabling any that mention "new tab" or "home page".

If you uploaded a photo and it looks stretched or distorted, the image dimensions may not match your screen. Chrome will stretch any image to fill the available space. If you want it to look better, you can edit the photo in any image editor to match your screen's width and height, then upload it again.

Understanding Chrome themes versus backgrounds

Chrome has two separate customization features that are easy to confuse: themes and backgrounds. A background only changes what you see on the new tab page. A theme changes the color of Chrome's toolbar, buttons, and other interface elements across the entire browser.

To change a theme, click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner of Chrome, select "Settings", then click "Appearance" on the left side. You'll see theme options there. Themes are separate from backgrounds — you can have a dark theme with a light background, or any other combination.

Most people only need to change the background. Themes are useful if you want Chrome itself to look different, but they're not required for customizing your new tab page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my background?

Chrome backgrounds are static images only — you cannot use videos or animated GIFs. If you upload an animated GIF, Chrome will display only the first frame. If you want movement on your new tab page, you would need to install a Chrome extension designed for that purpose, though most people find a still image works fine.

Will changing my background affect my browsing speed?

No. The background image loads once when you open a new tab and has no effect on how fast websites load or how quickly Chrome runs. Even large photo files don't slow down your browser.

What if I delete the photo file from my computer after uploading it as a background?

Chrome stores a copy of the image in its own files, so deleting the original photo from your computer won't remove the background from Chrome. The background will continue to appear on your new tab page. If you want to remove it, you need to change to a different background through Chrome's settings.

Can I set a different background for each monitor if I use multiple screens?

No. Chrome uses the same background on all monitors connected to your computer. You cannot set different backgrounds for different displays within a single Chrome window.

Do I need a Google account to change my background?

No. You can change your background whether you're signed into a Google account or not. If you're not signed in, the background choice is saved only on that computer. If you sign in, Chrome will remember your choice if you use the same account on another device, though each device can have its own background.