2 Easy Ways to Customize the Safari Homepage Background

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Spruce up your Safari home page by adding a background image

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using an iPhone or iPad
|
• Using a Mac
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• FAQ
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• Video

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Do you want to customize your Safari start page? Whether you're using the Safari app on iOS or the desktop version on Mac, you'll be able to change Safari's background image in a few simple steps. You can use Apple's default backgrounds or one of your own saved photos. If you're trying to change your Safari theme from white to black (or vice versa), you'll need to configure your Light/Dark display in the Settings app. This wikiHow will show you how to change the background image on Safari using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Changing the Safari Homepage Background

On iOS, open a new start page. Tap Edit, toggle on Background Image, and then select a photo. On a Mac, open your Safari Settings, check the "Background Image" box, select a background photo, and then click Choose.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Using an iPhone or iPad

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1. 
   1
   Open the Safari app. This looks like a blue compass with a white background. Since Safari is updated with your software, be sure to update your iOS version. You'll need at least iOS 15 or later to change the background in Safari.

   • Changing the Safari background is different from enabling Dark Mode.
   • To enable or disable Dark Mode, go to Settings → Display & Brightness → select Light or Dark.
2. 
   2
   Open a new start page. If you aren't already on a new page, tap the two rectangles in the bottom-right corner, and then tap the + in the bottom-left corner.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Edit. This will be at the very bottom of the page.

   • If you have a lot of Favorites on your start page, you may need to scroll down to see this button.
4. 
   4
   Toggle on

   

   "Background Image." You can find this below the list of options.

   • When it's toggled on, a collection of background images will appear. If you want to use one of Apple's provided backgrounds in Safari, tap it to apply it immediately.
   • To use your own image as the background, continue to the next step.
5. 
   5
   Tap +. This will be the first tile underneath Background Image.

   • The Photos app will open.
6. 
   6
   Tap a photo. Select the Photos or Albums tab at the top to navigate, then choose the photo you want to use. The photo will be set as your Safari background immediately.

   • If you have a photo on your computer you'd like to use, you can transfer it to your iPhone or iPad using AirDrop. You can also search for new background images using Google or a photo app, such as Pinterest.
   • Tap X to close the page.
   • If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Edit" menu and toggle off "Background Image".
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Section 2 of 3:

Using a Mac

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1. 
   1
   Open a new start page in Safari. Changing the Safari background on your Mac is easy. Open Safari if it's not open already. If Safari is already open, click the Bookmarks menu, and then click Show Start Page.

   • Be sure to update your Mac.
2. 
   2
   Click Edit. This is in the bottom-right corner of the window.

   • A pop-up menu will open.
3. 
   3
   Click the box for "Background Image." You can find this at the very bottom, underneath iCloud Tabs.

   • When the box is checked, two tiles will appear. You can scroll towards the right to see more. If you want to use one of Apple's provided background images, click it to change your background immediately.
   • To use your own image, continue to the next step.
4. 
   4
   Click +. This is the first tile.

   • The Finder will open to your photos. Navigate through your folders to find a picture.
   • If you don't have a lot of photos, you can easily find and download a new background image from Google or free photo sites.
5. 
   5
   Click a picture and click Choose. You can also double-click the picture to select it. The photo will be set as your Safari background immediately.

   • If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Settings" menu and uncheck "Background Image".
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Section 3 of 3:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1
   Can I change the background in Safari? You can change the background in Safari using the desktop website or mobile app. This is different from changing the theme from light to dark mode, which can affect other apps on your device.
2. 2
   How do I change the desktop background on a Mac? To change your desktop wallpaper rather than your Safari wallpaper, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, and then select Wallpaper. You may need to scroll down to find this option.

   • You can browse from the following wallpaper categories:
     • Dynamic Wallpapers
     • Landscape, Cityscape, Underwater, and Earth aerials
     • Shuffle Aerials
     • Pictures
     • Colors
   • Additionally, you can set these wallpaper options:
     • Enable slow-motion aerial
     • Select shuffle speed
     • Select light or dark versions of Dynamic Wallpapers
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