How to Change the Lock Screen on a Mac

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Customize your Mac's lock screen in a few simple steps

Written by Cory Stillman

Last Updated: July 31, 2023 Fact Checked

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Changing the Desktop & Lock Screen Background

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Replacing the Lock Screen File

Are you trying to change the lock screen on your Mac? It is a relatively easy process, whether you use a MacBook Pro, a MacBook Air, or a Mac desktop. You can change your lock screen image by updating your desktop image, or you can go into your Mac's files to change the lock screen image specifically. This wikiHow guide offers everything you need to know about changing the lock screen on your Mac.

Things You Should Know

To change your lock screen in System Settings, you'll need to select a new desktop wallpaper.
Go to System Settings > Wallpaper to select a new desktop and lock screen background.
If you don't want to change your desktop wallpaper, you can replace the current lock screen image file with a new one.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Changing the Desktop & Lock Screen Background

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1
Open your Mac's System Settings. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings to do so.
- This method teaches you how to choose a custom desktop and lock screen image.
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3
Select a new background image. You can choose any of the options provided by Apple, or select an image from a photo album. The chosen image will become both your desktop and lock screen background.
- Alternatively, you can open any image on your Mac, right-click the image, and select Set Desktop Picture . This will also update your lock screen.
  - To change only your lock screen without choosing a new desktop background, check out the method below .

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Replacing the Lock Screen File

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Ensure the picture is saved to your computer.
Double-click to open the file. If Preview is not your default image viewer, right-click the file and select Open with > Preview .
You will see the file name atop the Preview window. Double-click to edit it.
Be sure to enter the file name exactly as written.
It is represented by a blue and white smiley face on the Dock.
The easiest way to get there is to click Go in the top toolbar and select Go to Folder... . Then, type /Library/Caches and click Go . Finally, double-click Desktop Pictures .
The exact combination of characters differs between each Mac computer.
Drag and drop your saved image onto the file currently labeled "lockscreen.png" to replace it.
When it boots back up, you will see your new image as the lock screen.