The quickest way to change your Mac screensaver

Open System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, then click the preview window next to "Screensaver" to see your options. Select the screensaver you want, set how many minutes of inactivity trigger it, and you're done. The whole process takes under a minute.

If you're running an older version of macOS (Monterey or earlier), the path is slightly different: open System Preferences, click Desktop & Screen Saver, then the Screen Saver tab. The steps after that are the same.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings > Lock Screen is where you find screensaver options on macOS Ventura and newer.
  • You can preview each screensaver before selecting it by clicking the preview window.
  • The delay time (how long your Mac sits idle before the screensaver starts) is set in the same menu.
  • Downloaded screensavers from third-party sources go into your Library folder and appear in the screensaver list automatically.

Finding screensavers built into your Mac

Apple includes several screensavers with every Mac. The most common ones are Floating Message (which displays text you write), Aerial (video of cities and landscapes), and Kaleidoscope (geometric patterns). You also get options like Cosmos, Drift, and Message depending on your Mac model and macOS version.

To see what's available, click the preview window in Lock Screen settings. A grid of thumbnails appears — click any one to see it in full screen for a few seconds. This preview shows you exactly what you'll see when the screensaver actually runs, so you can decide whether you like it before committing to it.

Setting the delay before your screensaver starts

Below the screensaver preview in Lock Screen settings, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Start after." This controls how many minutes your Mac must sit unused before the screensaver turns on. The default is usually 10 minutes, but you can change it to 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or never.

If you want your Mac to show the screensaver almost immediately, set it to 1 minute. If you find screensavers annoying and rarely want to see one, set it to 30 minutes or choose "Never." This setting doesn't affect when your Mac locks or goes to sleep — those are controlled separately in the same Lock Screen menu.

Using a photo library or folder as your screensaver

Instead of a built-in pattern or animation, you can use photos from your Mac as a screensaver. In the screensaver list, select Photos or Memories. Photos will cycle through images from your Photos library, while Memories shows a curated selection that changes over time.

If you want to use a specific folder of images instead, select Folder from the screensaver list, then navigate to the folder you want. Your Mac will display those images in sequence while the screensaver is active. This works with any folder on your Mac that contains image files.

Installing screensavers from other sources

You can download screensavers from websites like macOS Sonoma Screensavers or third-party developers. Most come as .saver files. To install one, double-click the file and your Mac will ask where you want to save it — choose "Install for this user only" or "Install for all users." The screensaver then appears in your Lock Screen settings automatically.

If a downloaded screensaver doesn't appear in your list after installation, try restarting your Mac. Some third-party screensavers may also require you to grant permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security before they'll run. Check the developer's instructions if the screensaver still doesn't show up.

Screensavers versus sleep mode and lock screen

A screensaver is different from your lock screen (the image or message you see when you wake your Mac) and different from sleep mode (when your Mac's display turns off to save power). You can have all three active at the same time: your screensaver runs after a few minutes of inactivity, then your display sleeps after a longer period, and when you wake the Mac, you see your lock screen.

If you want your Mac to lock automatically after the screensaver starts, go to Lock Screen settings and turn on "Require password immediately." This forces you to enter your password as soon as you move the mouse or press a key, even if the screensaver just started a few seconds ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my screensaver starting even though I set a delay?

Check that you didn't set the delay to "Never." If it's set to a specific time, make sure your Mac is actually idle — moving the mouse or pressing a key resets the timer. Some apps also prevent screensavers from running while they're active, particularly video players or presentation software.

Can I use a video file as my screensaver?

Not directly through System Settings. The Photos option works with video files in your Photos library, so if you import a video there, it can appear in the Memories screensaver. For more control over video screensavers, you'll need third-party software designed for that purpose.

Does the screensaver use a lot of battery on a MacBook?

Screensavers actually use more power than letting your display sleep, so if you're on battery, it's better to set your display to sleep after a short time rather than running a screensaver for long periods. Animated screensavers like Aerial use more power than static ones like Kaleidoscope.

What if I want no screensaver at all?

Set the "Start after" delay to "Never." Your Mac will skip the screensaver entirely and go straight to your lock screen or sleep mode based on your other settings. You can also just leave the screensaver setting as is — if you never leave your Mac idle long enough to trigger it, you'll never see it.

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing the screensaver?

No. Changes to your screensaver settings take effect immediately. The next time your Mac sits idle for the delay period you set, it will display the new screensaver you chose.