A different wallpaper on each desktop (Mac)

Q: How do you set a wallpaper for one desktop?

Switch to the desktop (⌃→, or click it in Mission Control). Open System Settings > Wallpaper, or Control-click the desktop and choose Change Wallpaper. Pick a picture, colour or one of your own photos. Repeat on each desktop. With several displays, each display has its own wallpaper too, so a two-monitor setup can have a different picture on every desktop of every display.

Q: Why did all my desktops get the same wallpaper?

Show on all Spaces. Some wallpaper choices in System Settings include a Show on all Spaces switch. If it's on, the picture applies to every desktop. A new desktop starts with a default. A desktop added later doesn't copy your choice; set it again on that desktop. A desktop was removed and added back. The wallpaper belonged to the removed desktop, so the new one starts fresh.

Q: Can the wallpaper follow a named Space?

Yes, with Spacepal. In Settings > Spaces, pick a Space and choose a picture under Wallpaper. Spacepal keeps the choice and sets it each time you enter that Space, so it stays with the Space even if a wallpaper is reset. Profiles carry the wallpaper too, so switching from a "Work" to a "Home" profile changes the pictures along with the names. Wallpaper plus a name in the menu bar is the quickest way to know where you are. See how to see which desktop you're on.

Each macOS desktop can have its own wallpaper. Go to the desktop, open System Settings > Wallpaper and choose a picture; the change only applies to the desktop you're on. It's the simplest way to tell desktops apart at a glance.

How do you set a wallpaper for one desktop?

Switch to the desktop (⌃→, or click it in Mission Control).
Open System Settings > Wallpaper, or Control-click the desktop and choose Change Wallpaper.
Pick a picture, colour or one of your own photos.
Repeat on each desktop.

With several displays, each display has its own wallpaper too, so a two-monitor setup can have a different picture on every desktop of every display.

Why did all my desktops get the same wallpaper?

Show on all Spaces. Some wallpaper choices in System Settings include a Show on all Spaces switch. If it's on, the picture applies to every desktop.
A new desktop starts with a default. A desktop added later doesn't copy your choice; set it again on that desktop.
A desktop was removed and added back. The wallpaper belonged to the removed desktop, so the new one starts fresh.

Can the wallpaper follow a named Space?

Yes, with Spacepal. In Settings > Spaces, pick a Space and choose a picture under Wallpaper. Spacepal keeps the choice and sets it each time you enter that Space, so it stays with the Space even if a wallpaper is reset. Profiles carry the wallpaper too, so switching from a "Work" to a "Home" profile changes the pictures along with the names.

Wallpaper plus a name in the menu bar is the quickest way to know where you are. See how to see which desktop you're on.

Written by Dan Bayer, developer of Spacepal. Last updated 2026-11-06.