Changing your desktop wallpaper is a simple way to customize and personalize your computer. With the right wallpaper, you can express your personality, interests, or just have a beautiful backdrop for your desktop icons and windows. Modern operating systems make it easy to change wallpapers with just a few clicks. This article will walk you through the steps for changing wallpaper on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android devices. We’ll also provide tips for finding new wallpapers and using third party software for enhanced customization. Follow these instructions to give your desktop a quick makeover.
Finding New Wallpapers
The first step is finding some new wallpaper images to use. Here are some good places to find wallpapers:
| Website | Description |
|---|---|
| Unsplash | High quality free stock photos |
| Pexels | Free stock photos and videos |
| Pixabay | Free images and videos |
| WallpaperAccess | Wallpaper community with thousands of images |
| Wallhaven | Community for desktop wallpapers |
When choosing wallpapers, make sure to pick images with resolutions that match your device’s display for best appearance.
You can also use your own photos to create a custom wallpaper. This lets you display vacation photos, your kids’ artwork, or anything else personal on your desktop.
Changing Wallpaper on Windows
Changing the wallpaper on Windows is simple:
1. Right click on your desktop and select “Personalize” from the context menu.
2. In the Personalization window, click on “Background” along the bottom.
3. Click on any of the background images shown to preview that image on your desktop.
4. Once you find a background you like, click the “Save Changes” button to set it as your new wallpaper.
Windows also includes additional customization options like selecting a solid color background, creating a slideshow of images, or even using your own local photos as the wallpaper.
Changing Wallpaper on Mac
Here are the steps for changing your desktop wallpaper on a Mac:
1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click on “Desktop & Screen Saver”.
3. Select the “Desktop” tab.
4. Pick an image from the list of wallpapers shown. You can also add your own images by clicking the “+” icon.
5. Adjust the other settings like the background color and position of the image.
6. Click “Change Desktop” to set the new wallpaper.
The Screen Saver tab includes options to require a password after the screen saver activates. You can also create your own slideshows and flashes using your photo library.
Changing Wallpaper on Linux
Linux allows changing wallpaper through your distribution’s desktop environment settings:
**On GNOME:**
1. Open the Activities overview and search for “Background”.
2. Select “Background” to open the wallpaper settings.
3. Pick a background image and click “Select” to set it.
**On KDE Plasma:**
1. Right click on your desktop and choose “Configure Desktop…”
2. Go to the “Wallpaper” or “Background” section.
3. Click an image to preview it, then click “Save” to set the wallpaper.
You can also change backgrounds directly through configuration files for your window manager like xfconf or dconf if you want more customization.
Changing Wallpaper on Chromebooks
Chromebooks include the ‘Wallpaper app’ for managing your wallpaper:
1. Click the circle icon on the shelf to open the app launcher.
2. Click the “Wallpaper” app icon which looks like a mountain landscape.
3. Browse the built-in wallpaper images or upload your own photos.
4. Click “Set Wallpaper” on an image to make it your new background.
You can right click any image in the Files app and also select “Set as wallpaper” to quickly change your chromebook’s background.
Changing Wallpaper on iPhone and iPad
To change iPhone and iPad wallpaper:
1. Go to Settings > Wallpaper.
2. Tap Choose a New Wallpaper.
3. Select from Dynamic, Stills or Live options.
4. Tap a wallpaper image you want to use.
5. Pinch to zoom and move the image to get the right crop.
6. Tap Set for the home screen, lock screen or both.
You can also use camera photos, third party apps and automations to regularly change your iOS wallpaper.
Changing Wallpaper on Android
The wallpaper change process on Android may vary but generally involves:
1. Opening your device’s Settings app.
2. Selecting Display or Wallpaper options.
3. Tapping an available default wallpaper or your own image photos.
4. Cropping and setting the image as wallpaper for the home screen, lock screen or both.
Some Android launchers like Nova Launcher also include wallpaper customization features in their own app settings.
Using Third Party Wallpaper Apps
Here are some good third party apps and software for further wallpaper customization:
| App | Platform | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper Engine | Windows | Animated and interactive wallpapers |
| John’s Background Switcher | Windows | Automatic wallpaper cycling |
| Variety | Linux | Periodically changes wallpapers from files or Reddit |
| Muzei | Android | Regularly updates wallpaper from different sources |
| Motion | macOS | Dynamically animated wallpapers |
These let you do things like set wallpapers that change automatically at intervals, animate, or react to music. Definitely enhance the experience beyond static images.
Conclusion
Personalizing your desktop, phone or tablet with new wallpaper is an easy way to liven up your device’s screen. Follow the instructions above to change wallpaper on any operating system or device. Find interesting images from wallpaper sites and your own photos. For advanced customization, try out specialized wallpaper apps that support animation, automations and more. With the right background, your screen can better express your own style.
