To change your background on a tablet, you first need to know whether it runs iPadOS or Android, as the steps are different. Use the links below to jump directly to the instructions for your device.
Change the wallpaper on an iPad
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap Wallpaper, then tap Add New Wallpaper.
- Choose from dynamic and still images, featured sets like Nature or Isle of Skye, or your own photos from the Photos app.
- When setting wallpaper on an iPad, you can choose to apply it as a Wallpaper Pair for both the Lock Screen and Home Screen, or Customize Home Screen to make further changes.
- For the iPad Home Screen, you can customize the wallpaper by tapping a color, using a custom photo, or selecting Blur to make app icons stand out.
You can also set a vibrant photo as your Lock Screen to make unlocking feel more personal, or use a subtle gradient on the Home Screen to keep icons readable.
Change the wallpaper on an Android tablet
- Open the Settings app and navigate to Display, then Wallpaper, or directly to Wallpaper & style (names may vary by brand).
- Choose an image from the available options or your own gallery.
- When setting wallpaper on an Android tablet, you can typically choose to apply it to the Home screen, Lock screen, or both.
For Samsung Galaxy tablets, the option is found under Wallpaper and style, and you can set videos as your Lock screen wallpaper. On Pixel Tablets, some wallpaper steps require Android 14 or newer. You can set a different image on each screen to keep your Home screen clean while using a bold photo on the Lock screen.
Set your iPad wallpaper to change automatically
iPad wallpapers can be set to change automatically by linking the Lock Screen to a particular Focus mode. This means your background can switch to a work-appropriate image during the day and a relaxing scene in the evening without you having to manually update it. You can keep your tablet feeling fresh throughout the day without any effort, and you can even put your own picture on Google Chrome background to match your new browser aesthetic. If you want a consistent look across all your devices, you can also change background on PC to mirror your tablet's new style.
