How to Change Your Desktop Picture on a Mac

What you need: A Mac with macOS Ventura 13 or later. These steps use one of the pictures that your Mac shows in System Settings.

1. Click the Apple menu (the Apple logo) in the upper-left corner of the screen, then click System Settings.
2. Click Wallpaper on the left. If you do not see it, move the pointer over the left side and scroll down.
3. On the right, scroll down to the Pictures heading.
4. Click the picture you like. If a small download symbol (a downward arrow) appears on it, wait for the symbol to disappear. If it does not disappear after a few minutes, click a different picture that has no download symbol.
5. Watch the desktop behind the System Settings window. It changes to your chosen picture.
6. Close System Settings by clicking the red button in the upper-left corner of its window.

Expected result: After the System Settings window closes, the picture you chose appears on your desktop.