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Why Microsoft To Do on Mac Cannot Use Custom Wallpaper Themes

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to understand why the custom background image feature available in the Microsoft To Do iOS app is missing from the Mac desktop version.

Product: Microsoft To Do
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Customizing the visual appearance of the task manager desktop application.
Observed behavior: The Mac desktop application for Microsoft To Do currently does not offer the option to set custom wallpaper themes, despite this feature being supported on the iPhone.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft To Do application is updated to the latest version via the Mac App Store, as Microsoft occasionally rolls out visual updates to bridge the gap between their mobile and desktop platforms.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Feature Request via Microsoft Feedback

Since the lack of custom wallpapers is a known platform limitation on Mac, submitting direct feedback helps prioritize this feature for future updates.

Microsoft To Do currently has feature discrepancies across different operating systems. While the iPhone version allows users to choose a custom image from their camera roll as a background, the Mac desktop app has not yet integrated this specific capability.

Open Microsoft To Do

Launch the Microsoft To Do application from your Mac's Launchpad or Applications folder.

Navigate to the Help Menu

On the top macOS menu bar, click on 'Help' and select the option to provide feedback or suggest a feature.

Submit the Custom Wallpaper Request

In the feedback portal, detail your request to add custom wallpaper support to the macOS version, mentioning that it is already available on iOS.

Available Alternatives: In the meantime, you can still customize your lists by clicking the three-dot menu in the top right corner of a list and choosing from the pre-set default colors and simple themes.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enhance Your Productivity with WPS Office

While waiting for visual customization updates in Microsoft To Do, consider upgrading your broader productivity toolkit. WPS Office is a highly customizable, lightweight, and free office suite that offers robust alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on your Mac.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
2. Explore Task Tracker Templates: Open WPS Spreadsheet, navigate to the Template Library, and search for 'To Do List' or 'Task Tracker'.
3. Customize Your Workspace: Fully customize your task tracking spreadsheets by changing cell colors, adding personal background images, and formatting text exactly the way you want.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use solid colors as a background in Microsoft To Do for Mac?

Yes. While custom photo wallpapers are not supported, you can choose from several pre-set solid colors and basic themes by clicking the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of any list and selecting 'Change Theme'.

Will custom wallpapers from my iPhone sync to my Mac version of To Do?

No. If you set a custom wallpaper on your iPhone, it will only display on that specific iOS device. When you open the same list on your Mac, it will revert to a default solid color or theme.

Are there any third-party plugins to force custom wallpapers on Microsoft To Do for Mac?

Currently, Microsoft To Do does not support third-party visual plugins or extensions on macOS. Any customization must be done through the native theme settings provided in the app.

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