How To Change The Background Of Google

You can change the Google background by picking a theme or image in Chrome, or by switching light and dark mode in the Google app.

If you typed “Google background” and got a dozen different tips, you’re not alone. People mean three different things with that phrase: the Google.com homepage, Chrome’s New Tab page, or the Google app on a phone.

This guide walks through each one with clear clicks, plus quick fixes for the common “Where did the button go?” moments.

Pick The Google Background You Want To Change

Start by matching your goal to the place you’re seeing the background. Once you pick the right row, the steps feel straightforward.

Where You See Google	What “Background” Means	Fast Way To Change It
Google.com on a computer	Homepage background image (when available)	Sign in, then use the background option on the homepage
Chrome New Tab page	Wallpaper behind the search box and shortcuts	Use Customize Chrome, then pick Background
Google app on Android or iPhone	Light or dark look for search screens	Change Appearance in Google Search settings

Changing The Background Of Google On Desktop Chrome

On a computer, you’ll usually end up changing either the Google.com homepage background or the Chrome New Tab page wallpaper. They’re separate controls, even if they feel like the same page.

Change The Google.com Homepage Background Image

This option shows up when you’re signed in and Google has the background feature available for your account. If you don’t see it, skip to the troubleshooting section.

Open Google.com — Go to the Google homepage in your browser.
Sign In — Use the Sign in button at the top-right, then finish account sign-in.
Find The Background Control — Scroll to the bottom-right area of the homepage and look for the background or image option.
Choose An Image Source — Pick a gallery image or upload one from your computer.
Save The Change — Confirm your pick, then wait a moment for the homepage to refresh.

If you want the same look each time you open a browser window, focus on the Chrome New Tab background next. That one sticks even when the Google homepage background option isn’t present.

Change The Chrome New Tab Background

Chrome’s New Tab page is the screen that shows when you open a new tab. It has the big Google search box and your shortcuts. The fastest method is the built-in Customize Chrome panel.

Open A New Tab — Press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+T (Mac) to bring up the New Tab page.
Click Customize Chrome — Use the button at the bottom-right of the page.
Select Background — Pick a category, then choose a picture you like.
Upload Your Own Image — Use the upload option if you want a personal photo.
Confirm — Save the selection and close the panel.

If you’d like Google’s own walkthrough with screenshots, the Chrome background and theme walkthrough matches the current desktop flow.

Use A Chrome Theme To Change Colors Across The Browser

A theme changes more than the New Tab wallpaper. It can shift the browser frame color, tab styling, and built-in accents. If your goal is a full look change, a theme is the cleaner route.

Open Theme Options — In Chrome, open Settings, then go to Appearance.
Go To The Theme Gallery — Choose the link that opens the themes section.
Pick A Theme — Browse categories, then select one that fits your eyes and screen.
Add To Chrome — Install the theme, then return to your tab.
Undo If Needed — Use the reset option in Appearance to return to default styling.

You can browse themes straight from the Chrome Web Store themes page.

Changing Google Background On Android

On Android, “Google background” often means one of two things: the Google app’s light or dark look, or the Google Search widget on your home screen. Both are fast to change.

Switch Light And Dark Mode In The Google App

This changes the look of Google Search screens inside the Google app. The naming may vary by phone maker, yet the path is similar.

Open The Google App — Tap the Google “G” app icon.
Open Your Account Menu — Tap your profile picture at the top-right.
Enter Settings — Choose Settings, then open the Search settings area.
Pick Appearance — Select Light, Dark, or Device default.
Check A Search Screen — Run a search to confirm the background change.

Change The Google Search Widget Color

If you use the Google search bar widget on your home screen, you can change its color and transparency. This is separate from the app’s light or dark look.

Long-Press The Widget — Hold your finger on the Google search bar on the home screen.
Tap The Edit Icon — Pick the pencil or settings icon for the widget.
Pick A Style — Choose a color preset, then adjust transparency if your phone shows the slider.
Choose Shortcuts — Add or remove quick icons like voice search or Lens, based on what you use.
Save — Back out to the home screen and check the new look.

Changing Google Background On iPhone And iPad

On iPhone and iPad, you’ll usually change the Google app appearance or Chrome’s New Tab background. The Google.com homepage background option may not appear on mobile, even while it shows on desktop.

Set Light Or Dark Look In The Google App

The Google app can follow your iOS setting or use its own setting, depending on your app version.

Open The Google App — Tap the Google app icon.
Open Your Profile Menu — Tap your profile picture.
Open Settings — Find the settings menu, then open the appearance option if shown.
Choose A Theme — Select Light, Dark, or device-based styling.
Confirm On A Search Page — Run a search and check the background shade.

Change Chrome New Tab Background On iOS

Chrome on iOS has fewer theme controls than desktop Chrome, yet you can still tweak how the New Tab page feels using wallpaper and color choices when the Customize option is present.

Open A New Tab — Tap the tab switcher, then the plus button.
Find Customize — Scroll to the area near the bottom of the New Tab page and tap Customize if it shows.
Pick Background Or Colors — Choose from the available sets, then save.
Restart Chrome — Close the app from the app switcher, then reopen if the change does not show right away.

Fixes When You Can’t Find The Background Option

Most “missing background” issues come down to sign-in state, a browser setting, or a device policy from school or work. These checks cover the common causes without turning into a full tech project.

Check Sign-In And Profile State

Check Google Sign-In — On Google.com, sign in at the top-right, then refresh the page.
Confirm The Chrome Profile — In Chrome, click your profile icon and make sure you’re using the profile you expect.
Try An Incognito Window — Open Incognito and see if the control appears there; extensions can hide buttons.

Update Chrome And Reload The New Tab Page

Update Chrome — Install the newest version of Chrome, then reopen it.
Hard Refresh Google.com — Use Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Command+Shift+R (Mac) on the homepage.
Open A Fresh New Tab — Close the tab and create a new one; the Customize button lives on the New Tab page.

Look For Extensions That Override The New Tab Page

Some extensions replace Chrome’s New Tab page or lock it into a layout. When that happens, the Customize Chrome button may vanish.

Disable New Tab Extensions — Turn off extensions that mention New Tab, wallpaper, or start page tools.
Reopen Chrome — Close all Chrome windows, then open Chrome again.
Restore Default New Tab — In Settings, reset the New Tab behavior if your version offers it.

Check For Managed Browser Policies

If Chrome is managed by a school or workplace, appearance options can be restricted. You’ll often see a “managed” note in Chrome settings when this is the case.

Look For A Managed Message — Open Settings and check for a management note.
Try A Personal Browser Profile — Use a personal Chrome profile on a non-managed device, if available.
Use The Google App Theme Instead — On a phone, changing app appearance may still work even if browser themes are blocked.

Make Your Background Image Look Good On Any Screen

A background looks clean when it stays readable behind the search box and icons. A few simple choices keep it from turning into a noisy blur.

Pick A Photo That Works With Text

Choose A Calm Image — Photos with big areas of one color keep icons readable.
Avoid Tiny Patterns — Fine textures can shimmer on some screens and feel distracting.
Use A Wide Crop — A wide photo fits desktop screens without odd stretching.

Keep Personal Photos From Leaking Into Screenshots

If you screen-record tutorials or share screenshots, a personal background can show up in each capture. If that’s a concern, pick a neutral wallpaper or a Google gallery image for public screens.

Quick Checklist For A Clean Google Background

Use this list when you want the change done fast without re-reading each step.

Decide Where — Google.com homepage, Chrome New Tab page, or Google app.
Set Desktop Wallpaper — New Tab, Customize Chrome, Background, then save.
Set Desktop Colors — Install a theme if you want tabs and frame colors changed too.
Set Phone Appearance — In the Google app, change Appearance to Light or Dark.
Style The Widget — Long-press the Search widget, then pick color and transparency.
Fix Missing Buttons — Sign in, update Chrome, disable New Tab extensions, then retry.

Once you know which “Google background” you’re aiming at, the steps take a couple of minutes, and you can make it match your screen and your mood without breaking anything.