Change your Chrome background through the Customize button in the bottom right corner

When you open a new tab in Chrome, you see a blank page with the Google search box in the center. That blank space is your Chrome background, and you can replace it with a solid color, a pattern, a photo from your computer, or an image from Google's built-in collection. The fastest way is to click the Customize button in the bottom right corner of any new tab, then select Background from the menu that appears.

Chrome saves your background choice across all your devices if you are signed into the same Google account. If you use Chrome on your phone, tablet, and laptop with the same account, changing the background on one device will change it on the others.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the Customize button in the bottom right of a new tab, then choose Background to see all available options.
  • You can pick from Google's collection of photos, upload your own image, or select a solid color or pattern.
  • Your background choice syncs across all devices where you are signed into the same Google account.
  • You can also customize the shortcuts, search engine appearance, and cards that appear on your new tab page from the same menu.
  • Changing your background does not affect your browsing history, bookmarks, or any other Chrome settings.

Using Google's built-in photo collection

Google provides a collection of free photos organized by category. After clicking Customize and then Background, you will see options like Art, Nature, Landscapes, and Cityscapes. Click any category to see thumbnails of available images, then click the image you want to use. Chrome applies it immediately.

If you want a different image each time you open a new tab, look for the Refresh daily toggle near the top of the Background menu. When this is turned on, Chrome will show you a new photo from your chosen category every day. You can turn it off if you prefer to keep the same image every time.

Uploading a photo from your computer

To use your own image as your background, click Customize, then Background, then look for the Upload from device option. Click it and select a photo from your computer. Chrome accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP files. The image will be centered on your new tab page, and Chrome will crop it if it does not fit the screen size.

If your photo is very small or very large, Chrome will stretch or shrink it to fit. For the best result, use an image that is at least 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall. Once you upload an image, it stays as your background until you choose a different one — it does not change automatically.

Choosing a solid color or pattern

If you prefer something simpler than a photo, the Background menu also offers solid colors and patterns. Click the color or pattern option and select from the available choices. Solid colors include shades of blue, gray, green, and other hues. Patterns include geometric designs and textures.

Solid colors and patterns load faster than photos and take up less space on your device. They also make the Google search box and other elements on your new tab page easier to read if you find photos too busy or distracting.

Customizing other elements of your new tab page

While you are in the Customize menu, you can also change other parts of your new tab page. The Shortcuts section lets you add, remove, or rearrange quick links to your favorite websites. The Cards section controls whether Chrome shows you news, weather, or other information below the search box.

You can also change the search engine appearance by clicking the search box icon in the Customize menu. This lets you switch between light and dark modes, or choose a custom color scheme that matches your background image.

Removing or resetting your background

If you want to go back to Chrome's default blank background, open a new tab, click Customize, then Background. At the top of the menu, you will see a Default option. Click it to remove your custom background and return to the plain white or dark page, depending on your system settings.

You can also click the trash icon next to any background you have uploaded to delete it from your device. This removes the image file from Chrome but does not affect the original file on your computer.

Troubleshooting background changes that do not appear

If you change your background but it does not show up on a new tab, try closing all your Chrome windows and opening a new one. Sometimes Chrome needs to restart to apply the change. If you are using multiple devices with the same Google account and the background is not syncing, sign out of Chrome on one device and sign back in.

If you uploaded a photo and it appears stretched or cropped in an unexpected way, the image may be too small or the wrong shape for your screen. Try uploading a larger image or one with a different aspect ratio. You can also check whether your browser zoom is set to something other than 100%, which can affect how your background appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, Chrome backgrounds must be static images. You can only use JPG, PNG, or WebP files. If you want moving content on your new tab page, you can install a Chrome extension that adds animated backgrounds, but these are separate from Chrome's built-in background feature.

Will changing my background affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No, your background is purely visual and does not touch any of your data. Your bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and all other Chrome settings remain exactly the same.

What happens to my background if I clear my browsing data?

Your background choice is stored separately from your browsing history and cache. Clearing your browsing data will not remove your background. However, if you clear all data including cookies and site settings, you may need to sign back into your Google account, which could reset your background to the default.

Can I set a different background on each device if I use the same Google account?

No, backgrounds sync across all devices signed into the same account. If you want different backgrounds on different devices, you would need to use separate Google accounts for each device.

Why does my uploaded photo look different on my phone than on my computer?

Different devices have different screen sizes and shapes. Chrome crops and scales your image to fit each screen, so it may appear differently on a phone, tablet, or desktop. Try uploading an image with extra space around the edges so it looks good when cropped on smaller screens.