How to Change the Mac Login Screen Picture

When you turn on your Mac, the first thing you see is the login screen. By default, this screen displays the standard macOS wallpaper (such as the abstract shapes of macOS Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma).

If you want to customize this screen with a personal photo or a solid color, you might be frustrated to find that there is no “Login Screen” button anywhere in the System Settings menu.

This is because Apple has hardcoded the login screen to automatically mirror your Desktop Wallpaper.

How to Change the Login Screen Wallpaper

Because the login screen and the desktop wallpaper are linked, you simply need to change your desktop background.

1. Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select System Settings (or “System Preferences” on older Macs).
3. Scroll down the left-hand sidebar and click on Wallpaper.
4. Select a new image. You can choose one of Apple’s built-in dynamic landscapes, select a solid color, or click “Add Photo” at the bottom to upload your own picture.

As soon as you change your desktop wallpaper, macOS instantly updates the login screen to match it. You can test this immediately by clicking the Apple Logo and selecting “Lock Screen”.

What Happens if You Have Multiple Users?

If you share your Mac with a spouse or a roommate, and you both have your own separate user accounts, the login screen behavior changes slightly.

• The Initial Boot Screen: When the Mac is first turned on (from a completely powered-off state), it hasn’t loaded any user profiles yet. Therefore, it will display the default, built-in macOS wallpaper behind the list of user accounts.
• The Fast User Switching Screen: If one person is already logged in, and they lock the screen, the background will display that specific user’s desktop wallpaper.

How to Change the User Profile Picture

While you are customizing your login screen, you might also want to change the circular profile picture that sits directly above your password box.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click on Users & Groups in the left sidebar.
3. Click the small ‘i’ (Info) button next to your name.
4. Click directly on the circular profile picture.
5. A menu will pop up allowing you to choose a Memoji, an emoji, a monogram, or upload a custom photo from your hard drive or webcam.
6. Click Save.