The lock screen background option was removed from settings since Ubuntu 20.04. Now, it uses desktop wallpaper with blur effect as the background for the lock screen.
For those who still want to change the lock screen background, then there’s an extension that supports GNOME from version 3.26 to 47. Meaning all current Ubuntu releases, Fedora, and other Linux with GNOME are supported.
NOTE: This tutorial only works for the default GNOME Desktop!
Option 1: Use Extension Manager
For Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04 and higher, there’s a popular “Extension Manager” app available in system repository for install and manage extensions in default GNOME desktop.
1. First, launch App Center or Ubuntu Software. Then, search for and install the “Extension Manager” app:
Install Extension Manager in Ubuntu Software/App Center
2. Then, launch the “Extension Manager” app, navigate to “Browse” tab. Finally, search & install the “lock screen background” extension.
Tips: Try switching the filter if it does not show you that extension. Or, use Option 2 to install it using web browser.
3. Once installed, switch back to “Install” tab, and click on the setting icon for that extension. Finally, click on “Browse” button in pop-up dialog and choose an image file for the login background.
Option 2: Use web browser
Extension Manager is not available in system repository for old Ubuntu 20.04 and earlier. In the case, you may use your web browser to install the extension.
1.) Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to install the agent package as well as Gnome Extensions app:
sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell gnome-shell-extension-prefs
2.) Then open your web browser (e.g., Firefox), and go to the link button page:
Finally, use the ON/OFF toggle to install the extension.
Don’t see the toggle switch? Try clicking the link text “click here to install browser extension” and follow the pop-ups to install the browser extension. Then, refresh the page.
3.) Finally, launch GNOME Extensions app or Gnome Tweaks > Extensions, go to the extension settings page, and finally set a picture for lock screen background.
That’s it. Enjoy!
didn’t work for me
Didn’t work for me. The extensions that pulls up after following your directions only has 3 three options none are about changing the lock screen.
thanks a lot
Hey
This is like, a half explication.
how to get here:
3.) Launch either Extensions utility or Gnome Tweaks > Extensions (install it via Ubuntu Software), go to the extension settings page, and finally set a picture for lock screen background.
thank you for your feedback.
kr,
Yannick
“Launch either Extensions utility” where is this? I don’t see this anywhere. I followed the preceding steps. Also Gnome doesn’t appear at all when searching in Ubuntu software
Install it via
sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-prefscommand.The Lockscreen is only when my Notebook was startet and the first login, then is the Lockscreen active. At first start is it not active. have you a idea?
if you have error in step “click here to install browser extension”, i recommend using chrome browser for install gnome extension
does not work in 21.04, 21.10, 22.04.
set picture in tweaks. but lock screen is just a blank color.