How to Change Desktop Wallpaper on Mac: Including Dynamic Wallpapers

Quick Answer

To change your Mac desktop wallpaper, go to System Settings, select Wallpaper, and choose a static image or enable Dynamic wallpapers that shift with the time of day. The process is slightly different between macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

How to Change Desktop Wallpaper on macOS

The quickest way to change your Mac wallpaper is through System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings, and navigate to the Wallpaper section in the sidebar. From there you will see Apple's built-in wallpaper collections as well as the option to add your own photos or images.

To use a custom image, scroll to the bottom of the wallpaper panel and click the Add Photo or Add Folder button. Navigate to your chosen image and select it. macOS supports JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and most common image formats for wallpapers.

You can also right-click directly on an image file in Finder or Photos, choose Set Desktop Picture, and macOS will apply it immediately without going through System Settings.

Dynamic Wallpapers on Mac: How They Work

Dynamic wallpapers are a macOS feature that changes the wallpaper image throughout the day in sync with sunlight. The image shifts from lighter, brighter tones during daylight hours to darker variations in the evening, following the same logic as macOS's auto dark mode.

To enable a dynamic wallpaper, go to System Settings, then Wallpaper. Look for wallpaper options marked with a small clock icon, which indicates they are dynamic. Select one and macOS will handle the transitions automatically based on your location's sunrise and sunset times. You need to have Location Services enabled for the time-shifting to work correctly.

In macOS Sequoia and Sonoma, Apple added Landscape and Aerial video wallpapers that play as animated loops on your desktop. These are separate from dynamic still wallpapers and can impact battery life on MacBooks if used continuously.

Wallpaper Settings Across Multiple Desktops

If you use macOS Spaces or multiple desktops, each Space can have its own wallpaper. Right-click the desktop in a specific Space and choose Change Wallpaper to assign a unique background to that workspace. This is useful if you use separate Spaces for work and personal tasks, as distinct visual themes help your brain context-switch more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Mac wallpaper stay after I change it?

If your wallpaper keeps reverting, check that you are not using a third-party wallpaper app that is overriding your System Settings choice. Also check if any MDM profile from an institution or employer is locking the wallpaper setting.

Can I use a video as a wallpaper on Mac?

macOS supports video wallpapers through the Landscape and Aerial categories in System Settings on recent macOS versions. For custom video wallpapers, third-party utilities are available, though they can affect battery life.

Does changing the wallpaper affect Mac performance?

Static and dynamic still wallpapers have no meaningful impact on performance. Animated video wallpapers do use some GPU resources and can reduce MacBook battery life during use.