How to Change Safari Background on Mac

Can you change your Safari background on Mac

Yes, you can change the Safari background on a Mac by using the Start Page settings, which are available on macOS Big Sur and later.

A note from our experts: 

 

Unwanted browser notifications and pop-up ads aren't only annoying. They’re often linked to tracking scripts that silently monitor your behavior. Some even link back to your email account, exposing sensitive data without your knowledge. Enabling MacKeeper's StopAd is the fastest way to block these threats and prevent spam messages from reaching your screen. It's an essential upgrade for anyone who wants complete control over Safari, not just in its appearance, but also in its behavior.

 

Here's how to set it up in just a minute:

1. Download and install MacKeeper. Open the app once it's downloaded, then select StopAd from the sidebar to begin setup.
2. Activate the Safari extension. Click Open when prompted, and allow Safari to load the MacKeeper StopAd extension.
3. Allow permissions in Safari settings. When Safari Preferences appear, check all the boxes next to MacKeeper to enable full functionality and block notifications system-wide.

How to customize Safari background on Mac

To customize Safari's background on a Mac, you should open Safari and click the Edit button on the Start Page. Then, check Background Image and select a built-in photo or click "+" to upload your own. To remove it, uncheck the box.

1. Open Safari browser

Before you can customize visuals, start by launching Safari. No special version is needed; just macOS Big Sur or newer. You’re only a few clicks away from being able to customize the Safari browser easily.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. Go to Applications and find Safari.
3. Double-click Safari to launch it.
4. Wait for the browser window to appear.
5. If Safari is already running, just open a new window from the File menu.

An important warning from our team: Ensure your system is macOS Big Sur or later, or the customization feature won’t be visible.

2. Open a new start page tab

Make sure you're working on a Safari Start Page tab. That's where visual customization is possible. You don't need to touch your desktop settings to change your wallpaper on a Mac inside Safari.

Follow our instructions:

1. Click the plus (+) button in the Safari tab bar.
2. If you don't see it, press Command + T to open a new tab.
3. Confirm it's a Start Page by checking for Favorites and Privacy Report sections.
4. If another site opens by default, click the Start Page button or set Start Page as your new tab default.
5. Make sure the window is active and not in Private Browsing mode.

3. Check the “Background Image” box in customization options

Now, you can choose a background image for Safari's Start Page. This works independently of your system settings, so yes, a logical question—can you have a different lock screen and wallpaper on MacBook? Absolutely, and Safari makes it simple.

Take these steps:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Start Page.
2. Click the three-slider Edit icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. In the pop-up menu, look for Background Image.
4. Check the box next to it to enable the background picker.
5. Click any of Apple's preset images to apply instantly or click the "+" tile to upload your own image from Finder.
6. To remove the image later, return here and uncheck the box.

4. Select and upload your desired image

Once background selection is enabled, you can add a custom image from your Mac. We suggest choosing a high-resolution or subtle design to keep icons readable. Safari supports common formats like .jpg and .png, but only one image can be active at a time.

Do the following:

1. After checking the Background Image box, scroll through the default options.
2. Click the first tile labeled "+" to upload your own file.
3. Finder will open; browse to your Pictures, Downloads, or Desktop.
4. Select a high-quality .jpg or .png image.
5. Click Choose to apply it instantly to the Safari Start Page.
6. Wait a moment for it to load. Your background will now appear each time you open a new tab.

5. Remove or reset your Safari background (if necessary)

If you decide the background is too distracting or just want a cleaner look, you can quickly remove it. Unlike browser themes in Safari or Chrome, we’ve noticed that Safari's background feature is simple to turn off at any time without affecting performance or layout.

Our guidelines are here to help:

1. Open a Safari Start Page tab.
2. Click the Edit icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. In the customization panel, locate the Background Image section.
4. Uncheck the box to disable the feature.
5. The background will instantly return to the default plain grey tone.
6. To set a new image later, just re-check the box and upload a different file.

Conclusion

Changing the Safari background on Mac is fast, easy, and requires no extra tools. Just open a new Start Page, click Edit, check the Background Image box, and upload the photo you like. You can switch or remove it anytime to keep your browser looking the way you want.

For an even smoother experience, we recommend enabling MacKeeper’s StopAd. It blocks pop-ups, trackers, and unwanted Safari notifications, so your custom Start Page stays clean, private, and distraction-free every time you open a tab.