Set Background Image in Safari on macOS Big Sur

This guide shows you how to change or set a background image for the Safari start page on macOS Big Sur. You’ll be able to personalize your browser with a custom photo or choose from Apple’s built-in wallpapers, making your new tab page feel more inviting. No special tools are needed—just your Mac and an image you like.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Big Sur (11.0 or later).
• An image file (JPEG, PNG, HEIC, etc.) saved on your Mac, if you want to use a custom photo.
• Safari updated to the latest version available for Big Sur.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Safari. Click the Safari icon in your Dock or find it in the Applications folder.
2. Open a new tab. Press Command + T or click the plus (+) button in the toolbar. This shows the Start Page.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Start Page. Move your cursor to the lower-right corner; you’ll see a circular “Options” button (looks like a small gear or slider icon). Click it.
4. Enable the background image. In the pop‑over menu, check the box next to “Background Image.” If you don’t see this option, make sure you’re on the Start Page (not a regular webpage).
5. Choose a built-in wallpaper. After enabling, a thumbnail appears at the bottom of the Start Page. Click it to cycle through Apple’s preset wallpapers. Keep clicking until you find one you like.
6. Use your own photo. To set a custom image, click the “+” (plus) button next to the thumbnail. A file picker opens—navigate to your image, select it, and click “Choose.” The background updates immediately.
7. Adjust the look (optional). While the Options menu is open, you can also toggle “Include Favorites,” “Privacy Report,” and other sections. The background image stays as long as “Background Image” is checked.
8. Close the options. Click anywhere outside the pop‑over to dismiss it. Your new background is now set.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the wrong page: The background option only appears on the Start Page (the new tab page), not on regular webpages. If you’re on a website, you won’t see the Background Image checkbox.
• Not scrolling down: The Options button is at the very bottom of the Start Page. If you don’t scroll down, you’ll miss it.
• Forgetting to enable the toggle: Checking the box is essential. If you skip it, the background won’t show even if you’ve selected an image.
• Using an unsupported file format: Safari accepts common image formats, but very obscure ones (e.g., TIFF) may not appear. Stick to JPEG, PNG, or HEIC.
• Expecting the background on every tab: The background applies to the Start Page only. Regular webpages will not show it.

Tips

• Use a high‑resolution image: For best results, choose an image that matches your screen’s resolution (e.g., 2560×1440 for a 27″ monitor). Lower‑res images may look pixelated.
• Keep file size reasonable: Very large images (50+ MB) can slow down the Start Page. Resize or compress your photo if needed.
• Sync across devices: If you use iCloud, your background choice may sync to other Macs and iOS devices via Safari’s settings (requires iCloud Keychain and Safari syncing enabled).
• Reset to default: To remove the custom background, uncheck “Background Image” in the Options menu. The Start Page returns to the default gray.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Background Image” option. Make sure you’re on a fresh new tab (the Start Page) and that you’ve scrolled to the bottom. If it’s still missing, restart Safari (press Command + Q, then reopen). Also, check that Safari is updated via System Preferences → Software Update.

My custom image isn’t showing. Try a different file format (convert to JPEG) and ensure the file isn’t corrupted. Also, check that you selected the image and clicked “Choose”—the background should change instantly. If not, close and reopen the new tab.

The background disappears after restart. This can happen if Safari’s preferences are corrupted. Go to Safari → Preferences → Privacy, and click “Manage Website Data…” then “Remove All.” (This clears cookies and site data, so be aware.) Alternatively, reset Safari’s preferences by deleting the file ~/Library/Safari/Preferences.plist (Safari will recreate it).

I can’t find the Options button. It’s a small circular icon in the bottom‑right corner of the Start Page, but it only appears when you scroll down. If you still don’t see it, your window might be too small—maximize the window or zoom out (press Command + −).

Background works but looks stretched. Safari automatically scales the image to fill the screen. For best results, use an image with the same aspect ratio as your display (e.g., 16:9 for most Macs).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different background for each new tab? No, the background is global for the Start Page. You can’t assign different images to different tabs.

Will the background show on all my devices? If you’re signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID and have Safari syncing enabled, the background may sync across your Macs and iOS devices. However, this depends on your iCloud settings.

Does changing the background affect performance? Minimal. Safari loads the image once and caches it. Very large images might slow down the Start Page slightly, but normal photos have no noticeable impact.

Can I use a live photo or video as background? No, Safari on Big Sur only supports static images. Live Photos are treated as still images.

How do I remove the background entirely? Open the Options menu on the Start Page and uncheck “Background Image.” The Start Page reverts to the default gray background.

Is this feature available in older macOS versions? No, the customizable Start Page with background images was introduced in Safari 14, which ships with macOS Big Sur. Earlier versions don’t have this option.

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