How to Change Your Google Background

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: November 19, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to change the background of your Google Chrome web browser. If Google Chrome is up-to-date, you can use the New Tab page's Settings menu to upload your own image or choose one from Google's list. You can also add a theme to Google Chrome from within the browser's Settings menu.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Using the New Tab Page

1
Open
Google Chrome. Click or double-click the Chrome app icon, which resembles a red, yellow, green, and blue ball.
- If you haven't updated Chrome to the latest version, click ⋮ in the upper-right corner, select Help, click About Google Chrome, click Update, and click Relaunch when prompted before proceeding.
2
Open a new tab if necessary. If Google Chrome doesn't open to the New Tab page, click the ＋ icon to the right of the right-most tab at the top of the Chrome window to open a blank new tab.

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3
Click the "Settings"
icon. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page. Doing so prompts a pop-up menu.
4
Click Upload an image. This option is in the pop-up menu. A File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window will open.
- You can also click Chrome backgrounds in the menu if you want to use an official Chrome background image.
5
Select an image. Go to the file location in which the picture you want to upload is stored, then click once the photo you want to use.
- If you're using the Chrome backgrounds menu, just click once the image you want to use.
6
Click Open. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so adds the image to the background of the New Tab page.
- If you're using a Chrome backgrounds image, click Done at the bottom of the window.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using a Theme

1
Open
Google Chrome. Click or double-click the Chrome app icon, which resembles a red, yellow, green, and blue ball.
2
Click ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the Chrome window. A drop-down menu will appear.
3
Click Settings. This is in the drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Settings page.
4
Scroll down and click Themes. It's at the top of the "Appearance" group of options.
5
Select a background theme. Scroll through the list of themes until you find one you want to use, then click the theme's name to select it.
6
Click Add to Chrome. It's a blue button at the top of the theme's page. Doing so installs the theme; depending on your chosen theme, you may see the top of your Chrome browser window change to display part of the theme.
- If the top of the Chrome window doesn't change, click the ＋ icon to the right of the right-most tab to open a new tab. You'll see the the theme reflected there.
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Community Q&A

Question

I don't know why, but the settings button in the bottom right corner doesn't appear anymore. It was there a few days ago. What do I do now?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, Google has removed the feature and now you can only get themes from the official Google store.
Question

How do I change my Google Images background?

Community Answer

I'm sorry, but you cannot change your Google Images background, only your main Google search background from the Chrome Web Store.
Question

On Chrome OS, I select a pic and click Done, but it doesn't do anything. The button moves as if I clicked it, but nothing happens. Any advice?

Community Answer

You may want to quit Google Chrome and then open it again. The file sometimes will not be visible until Google Chrome is restarted.

Warnings

If you're using Chrome on a work or school computer, you may not be able to change the background image or theme due to administrator restrictions.

Thanks!
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