How to set a different wallpaper for each desktop on a Mac

Give each Space its own wallpaper so you know at a glance which desktop you are on. The one setting that blocks it, and the steps to set each one.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

How do I set a different wallpaper on each desktop?

  1. Open System Settings, Wallpaper.
  2. Turn off Show on all Spaces.
  3. Switch to the desktop you want to change, with ⌃ → or a three finger swipe.
  4. Pick a wallpaper. It applies to this desktop only.
  5. Repeat on each desktop.

System Settings stays open as you switch desktops if you assign it to all desktops: right click its Dock icon, Options, All Desktops.

Why does changing the wallpaper change every desktop?

Show on all Spaces is on. With it on, one wallpaper covers every desktop, and choosing a new one replaces it everywhere.

Do full screen apps get a wallpaper?

No. A full screen app fills its own Space, so there is nothing to show behind it.

Desktops cannot be named, so colour is the next best label: can you rename desktops on a Mac? The basics: Spaces and multiple desktops and change your wallpaper.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Show on all Spaces was read from System Settings, Wallpaper, and All Desktops from the Dock's menu.

Questions

Can each desktop have a different wallpaper on Mac?

Yes. Turn off Show on all Spaces in Wallpaper settings, then choose a wallpaper on each desktop.

Why does my wallpaper change on all desktops?

Show on all Spaces is on in System Settings, Wallpaper.

Can a full screen app have a wallpaper?

No. It fills its own Space.

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