How to set different wallpapers for multiple displays on Mac
Working with multiple displays on your Mac opens up possibilities for personalized workspaces. Since macOS Mavericks (2013), Apple has made it incredibly easy to set different wallpapers for each connected display. Whether you're using a dual monitor setup, a triple display configuration, or an ultra-wide monitor alongside your MacBook, this guide shows you how to customize each screen independently.
Setting different wallpapers for each display
Using System Settings (macOS Ventura and later)
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu or Dock
- Click on Wallpaper in the sidebar
- You'll see thumbnails of all connected displays at the top
- Click on the display you want to customize
- Choose a wallpaper from the categories or add your own
- Repeat for each connected display
Using System Preferences (macOS Monterey and earlier)
- Open System Preferences → Desktop & Screen Saver
- Look for display thumbnails at the top of the window
- Click the display you want to change
- Select your desired wallpaper
- Switch to the next display and repeat
Multi-display wallpaper configurations
| Setup type | Best approach | Recommended style |
|---|---|---|
| Dual identical monitors | Matching or complementary wallpapers | Same color palette, different scenes |
| Laptop + external monitor | Darker on laptop for battery saving | Minimal on laptop, detailed on monitor |
| Portrait + landscape | Orientation-specific wallpapers | Vertical art for portrait, horizontal for landscape |
| Different resolutions | Resolution-matched wallpapers | Higher detail for higher resolution displays |
| Triple or more displays | Thematic consistency across all displays | Sequential scenes or color gradient |
Creative wallpaper strategies for multiple displays
1. Thematic consistency
Use wallpapers from the same collection or artist to maintain visual harmony. For example, use different times of day from the same location across your displays, or choose complementary abstract patterns.
2. Functional differentiation
Assign wallpapers based on how you use each display:
- Primary display: Detailed, inspiring wallpaper
- Secondary display: Minimal, less distracting wallpaper
- Vertical display: Portrait-oriented photography or art
3. Panoramic spanning
While macOS doesn't natively support wallpapers that span multiple displays, you can manually create a cohesive look by using sections of a large panoramic image. Use an image editor to split a wide image into display-specific portions.
Troubleshooting common issues
Wallpaper resets after wake from sleep
This can happen if wallpapers are stored on an external drive that's not mounted quickly enough. Solution: Copy wallpapers to your internal drive or use wallpapers from the default macOS collection.
Cannot see multiple display options
Make sure "Displays have separate Spaces" is enabled in System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Mission Control. This is required for independent wallpaper settings.
Wallpapers look stretched or cropped incorrectly
Check the "Fill Screen" dropdown in wallpaper settings. Options include:
- Fill Screen: Crops to fill entire display
- Fit to Screen: Shows entire image with possible letterboxing
- Stretch to Fill Screen: Distorts image to fill display
- Center: Shows at actual size, no scaling
- Tile: Repeats image pattern across display
Advanced tips
Automated wallpaper rotation per display
You can set up different rotation schedules for each display. In Wallpaper settings, select each display individually and enable "Change picture" with your preferred interval. Each display can rotate through different folders at different speeds.
Display arrangement considerations
The visual relationship between your displays matters. If displays are arranged horizontally in System Settings, consider using wallpapers that create a visual flow from left to right. For stacked displays, think about top-to-bottom visual hierarchy.
Resolution optimization
For best results, match wallpaper resolution to each display's native resolution:
- MacBook Pro 14" (2021+): 3024 × 1964
- MacBook Pro 16" (2021+): 3456 × 2234
- Studio Display: 5120 × 2880
- Pro Display XDR: 6016 × 3384
- Standard 4K monitor: 3840 × 2160
- Standard 1080p monitor: 1920 × 1080
Recommended workflow
- Create a dedicated folder for each display's wallpapers
- Name folders clearly: "Main Display", "Left Monitor", "Vertical Display"
- Curate resolution-appropriate images for each display
- Set up automatic rotation if desired, with different intervals per display
- Periodically refresh your collection to keep things interesting
Looking for the perfect wallpapers for your multi-display setup? Download Wallpapery to automatically manage beautiful designer wallpapers across all your displays. Browse our curated collections for inspiration.