How To Change Google Chrome Background [2026 Guide]

I’m going to teach you how to change Google Chrome background. Start on the New Tab page in Google Chrome. This is the page you see when you first open Chrome or when you open a fresh tab, and it’s exactly where your custom background will appear.

If you land somewhere else, open a new tab so you’re on the default start screen with the search box in the center. Look down to the bottom right corner of that page and click Customize Chrome. It often appears as a small pencil icon with the label Customize Chrome.

If you don’t see it, double check that you’re on a New Tab page and not on a specific website, because the button only shows up on the new tab experience. When the customization panel opens, you’ll be in the Appearance section. Click Change theme.

This is your entry point to browsing Chrome’s built-in background collections or switching to something more personal. It’s a simple way to give your browser a fresh look without changing how anything works. If you also want to adjust interface colors to match your background, see how to change Chrome’s color theme.

Change Google Chrome Background [2026 Guide]

Open a new tab

Start on the New Tab page so you can see your background changes as you make them. If needed, open a fresh tab to get to the default start screen. Make sure the search box is centered and the page isn’t a specific website.

Customize Chrome

Click the Customize Chrome button in the bottom right corner. Look for the pencil icon labeled Customize Chrome. If it’s missing, confirm you’re on the New Tab page.

Choose a background

Click Change theme. Explore the preset background collections, which are organized into categories like nature, textures, and abstract designs.

Click into a collection, preview an image, and you’ll instantly see how it looks behind your shortcuts and search bar. If you prefer something uniquely yours, upload your own image. You can also refresh your desktop look by updating the app icon on your system with this guide to change the Google Chrome icon.

Upload your own image

Pick a high-resolution, wide horizontal photo so it fills the screen nicely and doesn’t look stretched or blurry. Chrome takes care of fitting the image to your layout, so you won’t need to crop inside the browser. If you change your mind, select a different image or switch back to a preset collection.

You can try as many as you like until it feels right. Once you’ve selected your preferred background, you don’t need to hunt for a save button. Simply close the customization panel or tab, and Chrome automatically saves and applies your choice.

Apply and save

You’ll see the new background right away on the New Tab page. It will stay in place the next time you open a new tab on this device. If you ever want to update it again, revisit the Customize Chrome button and repeat the same process.

Quick steps

Open a new tab.

Click Customize Chrome.

Go to Change theme.

Pick a preset or upload your own image.

Close the panel to save.

Final thoughts

That’s all it takes to personalize your browsing experience in a clean, simple way. A few clicks on the New Tab page can make Chrome feel more personal without changing how anything works. For privacy-conscious tweaks to go with your new look, review how to change security and privacy settings in Chrome.