Your computer’s wallpaper is a visual representation of your style and personal taste, providing a glimpse into your digital world every time you power on your Mac. Changing the wallpaper is an effortless way to freshen up your desktop and add a touch of creativity to your computing experience. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps to change the wallpaper on your Mac, allowing you to customize your digital environment to reflect your unique personality.
Part 1: How to Change The Wallpaper on Mac
Changing the wallpaper on your Mac is a simple and straightforward process. Follow the steps below to change your Mac’s wallpaper:
- Open “System Preferences”:
Click on the Apple menu icon () located at the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Access the “Desktop & Screen Saver” settings:
In the System Preferences window, locate and click on the “Desktop & Screen Saver” icon. It is usually represented by an image of a desktop with a mountain scene.
- Choose a wallpaper:
In the “Desktop” tab, you will see various pre-installed wallpaper options displayed on the left side of the window. Click on a category from the list, such as “Dynamic,” “Desktop Pictures,” or “Photos,” to browse through available wallpapers.
- Preview and select a wallpaper:
As you click on a category, a thumbnail view of the wallpapers in that category will appear on the right side of the window. You can scroll through the available options and click on any thumbnail to preview it as your desktop background.
- Set the chosen wallpaper:
Once you have found the desired wallpaper, click on it to select it. You can further adjust the appearance of the wallpaper using the options provided, such as choosing to display it as a still image or allowing it to change dynamically. You can also adjust the position of the wallpaper on the screen by selecting options like “Fill Screen,” “Fit Screen,” or “Stretch to Fill Screen.”
- Close the preferences:
After selecting and adjusting your preferred wallpaper settings, simply close the “System Preferences” window by clicking the red “X” button at the top-left corner of the window. Your new wallpaper will be applied immediately.
That’s it! You have successfully changed the wallpaper on your Mac. Enjoy your new desktop background.
Part 2: How to Change The Screen Saver on Mac
Changing the screen saver on your Mac is a quick and easy process. Just follow the steps below:
- Open “System Preferences”:
Click on the Apple menu icon () located at the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Access the “Desktop & Screen Saver” settings:
In the System Preferences window, locate and click on the “Desktop & Screen Saver” icon. It is usually represented by an image of a desktop with a mountain scene.
- Go to the “Screen Saver” tab:
In the “Desktop & Screen Saver” window, you will see two tabs at the top: “Desktop” and “Screen Saver.” Click on the “Screen Saver” tab.
- Choose a screen saver:
On the left side of the window, you will find a list of available screen savers. You can select from various built-in options, such as “Flurry,” “Message,” “Ribbons,” “Word of the Day,” and more. Click on a screen saver to preview it in the small window on the right side.
- Configure screen saver options:
After selecting a screen saver, you can customize its settings by clicking on the “Screen Saver Options” button located below the screen saver preview window. Each screen saver has different options that you can adjust, such as speed, style, image selection, and text options.
- Set the screen saver:
Once you have chosen and configured your desired screen saver, close the “Screen Saver Options” window. Click on the “Start after” dropdown menu to set the duration of inactivity after which the screen saver should start. You can choose a specific time or select “Never” if you don’t want a screen saver to activate automatically.
- Close the preferences:
After selecting your screen saver and adjusting the settings, simply close the “System Preferences” window by clicking the red “X” button at the top-left corner of the window.
That’s it! You have successfully changed your Mac’s screen saver. The new screen saver will be activated according to the settings you’ve chosen. Enjoy the visual delight when your Mac is idle!
Part 3: How to Change Login Background on Mac
Changing the login background on a Mac requires a few additional steps compared to changing the desktop wallpaper or screen saver. Please follow the steps below to change the login background on your Mac:
- Prepare the desired image:
Select an image that you want to use as the login background. Ensure that the image resolution matches your screen resolution for optimal results. It’s recommended to use a JPG or PNG file format.
- Rename the image:
Make a copy of the image and rename it to “com.apple.desktop.admin.png”. This is the file name that macOS looks for as the login background.
- Open Finder and access the Library folder:
While in Finder, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then press and hold the “Option” key. While holding the key, click on “Library” in the dropdown menu.
- Navigate to the CoreServices folder:
Within the Library folder, locate and open the “CoreServices” folder.
- Find and replace the existing image:
Inside the CoreServices folder, search for a file named “DefaultDesktop.jpg” or “DefaultDesktop.heic” and make a backup of it. Once backed up, delete or replace the file with your renamed image file (“com.apple.desktop.admin.png”).
- Authenticate your changes:
macOS requires administrator privileges to modify system files. To authenticate, you will need to enter your administrator password when prompted.
- Restart your Mac:
After making the changes, restart your Mac to apply the modified login background. When your Mac starts up again, you should see the new image as the login background.
It’s important to note that changing the login background involves modifying system files, which can potentially cause issues if not done correctly. Proceed with caution and ensure you have a backup of any files you modify or replace.
Mac Photo Management Software
Adobe Lightroom:
Adobe Lightroom is a leading photo management software for Mac that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for organizing, editing, and sharing your photos. With its intuitive interface, you can easily import and organize your images, create custom tags, and assign keywords to make searching a breeze. Lightroom’s powerful editing capabilities allow you to enhance your photos with precision and control. Additionally, Lightroom’s cloud storage and synchronization features enable seamless access to your photo library across multiple devices.
Apple Photos:
If you’re looking for a built-in solution, Apple Photos is an excellent choice for Mac users. Integrated with macOS, Apple Photos provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the organization and management of your photos. With features like Moments, Collections, and Years, it automatically organizes your library based on date, location, and people. Apple Photos also includes basic editing tools to enhance your images, and you can easily sync your library with other Apple devices using iCloud.
Google Photos:
While not exclusively designed for Mac, Google Photos offers a powerful web-based platform that seamlessly integrates with macOS. It provides unlimited cloud storage for your high-quality photos, making it an excellent choice for users with large libraries. Google Photos automatically organizes your images by date and creates albums based on location and facial recognition. Its advanced search capabilities allow you to find photos using keywords, objects, or even specific individuals. With Google Photos’ sharing features, you can easily collaborate and share albums with friends and family.
ACDSee Photo Studio:
ACDSee Photo Studio is a comprehensive photo management software that caters to both beginners and advanced users. With its robust organization features, you can easily import, categorize, and tag your photos for efficient browsing. ACDSee also offers powerful editing tools, allowing you to make precise adjustments to color, exposure, and more. The software supports a wide range of file formats and offers seamless integration with popular social media platforms, making it a versatile choice for Mac users.
Mylio:
Mylio is a unique photo management software that focuses on multi-device synchronization and backup. It allows you to organize and access your photos from multiple Macs, iPhones, iPads, and external hard drives. Mylio’s AI-powered facial recognition and metadata tagging make it easy to locate specific photos in your library. The software also offers basic editing capabilities and provides automatic backups to ensure the safety of your photo collection.
Conclusion
Changing the wallpaper on your Mac is an easy and effective way to infuse your digital workspace with personality and creativity. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can effortlessly update your desktop’s visual aesthetics, bringing a fresh and inspiring ambiance to your computing experience.
Whether it’s a breathtaking landscape, an artistic masterpiece, or a cherished memory, your chosen wallpaper will transform your Mac into a unique reflection of your style and taste. So, go ahead and explore the vast array of stunning images available, and let your desktop showcase your individuality.