How to Change Google Backgrounds

Customize your background in Google Chrome and Gmail

What to Know

  • In Chrome: Select the three-dot icon > Settings > Appearance > Theme > Open Chrome Web Store.
  • Then browse the themes. Select one and choose Add to Chrome.
  • In Gmail: Select the Gear icon. Next to Themes, select View All. Choose a theme and Save.

This article explains how to change the background theme in Google's Chrome browser and in Gmail. It includes information on Chrome extensions used for changing backgrounds.

How to Change the Google Background

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers available. It has lots of customization options, including changing the background colors and images to fit your taste. If you want to personalize your web surfing experience, keep reading.

Follow the steps below to learn how to change your Google backgrounds in Chrome.

  1. Access the Chrome browser settings by opening the browser and selecting the three vertical dots located in the upper-right corner, then select Settings from the drop-down list.

    Settings in Chrome
  2. Under the Appearance section in the Chrome Settings tab, look for Themes listed near the top. If you don't have a theme installed, you should see Open Chrome Web Store, which you can select.

    If you have a theme background already and want to change it, remove it by selecting Reset to default. Once removed, you should see the Open Chrome Web Store option.

    Themes in Chrome settings
  3. Choose a theme. Look through the Editor's Picks at the top and scroll down through the other groups of themed backgrounds. If you're looking for something specific, use the search bar in the upper-left corner. You can also search by category and rating.

    Chrome Web Store
  4. When you decide on a theme background, select it, then select the blue Add to Chrome button in the upper-right corner. It's applied to the Chrome web browser automatically.

    The "Add to Chrome" button for a theme
  5. You may notice the colors at the top of the browser change depending on what kind of theme you chose. If not, open a new tab or window to see the theme background image and colors.

Try Other Theme Background Extensions for Greater Customization

You can get additional features for your Google background by looking at other third-party Chrome extensions. Go back to the Chrome Web Store, select Extensions, and use the search bar to look for backgrounds or something similar.

For example, the extension Live Start Page - Living Wallpapers offers several extra features that simple Google theme backgrounds don't. In addition to static backgrounds, you can get live wallpaper backgrounds, a relaxing meditation mode, the current weather forecast, a clock, and a to-do list.

When you chose a background extension, all you have to do is select the blue Add to Chrome button.

A new window or tab might open as soon as you add a background extension. If not, select the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the browser, then select More Tools > Extensions to find the extension so you can enable it, disable it, see its details, or remove it.

Change Your Gmail Theme Background

Did you know you can change your Gmail theme background separately from your Chrome background? Here's how:

  1. Sign in to your Gmail account from a web browser. Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then select View All next to Themes in the drop-down list.

    View All in the Theme section
  2. A window of theme images appears over your inbox. Scroll through the images and select one to see it appear as the background.

  3. Select Save when you're happy with your new theme background.

    You can also select My photos in the lower-left corner to use an existing image in your Google account or upload a new one.

    The Save button in Themes
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