Open System Settings and find the screensaver controls

Your Mac's screensaver is controlled through System Settings, which is where your operating system keeps all the settings that change how your computer looks and behaves. On any recent Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. Once System Settings opens, look for Lock Screen in the left sidebar — this is where screensaver options live on modern macOS.

If you are using an older Mac running macOS Monterey or earlier, the screensaver controls are in a different place. Open System Settings, then click Desktop & Screen Saver in the sidebar instead. The steps that follow are the same either way.

Key Takeaways

  • Screensaver settings are in System Settings under Lock Screen (newer Macs) or Desktop & Screen Saver (older Macs).
  • You can choose from built-in screensavers like Floating Message, Drift, or Kaleidoscope, or use a photo or folder of photos as your screensaver.
  • The delay setting controls how long your Mac sits idle before the screensaver starts — the default is usually 10 or 20 minutes.
  • You can require a password when your Mac wakes from the screensaver to add a security layer between your computer and anyone who walks by.

Choose a screensaver from the built-in options or your own photos

Once you are in the Lock Screen or Desktop & Screen Saver settings, you will see a list of available screensavers. Click any one to preview it on your screen. Built-in options include Floating Message (which displays text you choose), Drift (moving abstract shapes), Kaleidoscope (symmetrical color patterns), and several others. Each one plays differently — some are static, some move slowly, and some respond to your Mac's activity.

If you want to use your own photos instead of a built-in screensaver, select Photos from the list. A menu will appear asking you to choose a photo album or folder. Pick any folder from your Mac, and your screensaver will cycle through those images. This is useful if you want to display family photos, artwork, or screenshots while your Mac is idle.

Set how long your Mac waits before the screensaver starts

Below the screensaver list, you will see a Start after setting (or Show screen saver after on older Macs). This controls the idle time — how many minutes your Mac sits unused before the screensaver turns on. The default is often 10 or 20 minutes. Click the dropdown and choose a different time if you want the screensaver to start sooner or later.

If you set this to a short time like 1 or 2 minutes, your screensaver will start almost when ready when you step away. If you set it to 30 minutes or longer, your Mac will stay on its normal desktop for a while before switching. There is no right answer — it depends on whether you want your screen to go dark quickly to save power, or whether you prefer to see your desktop most of the time.

Add password protection when your Mac wakes up

For security, you can require your Mac to ask for your password when it wakes from the screensaver. This prevents someone from walking up to your Mac and using it while you are away. In the same Lock Screen settings, look for Require password after screen saver begins or Require password to wake this Mac (the exact wording varies by macOS version). Toggle this on, then choose how long to wait before the password is required — options are usually "when ready" or after 5 or 15 seconds.

If you choose a delay like 5 seconds, you can wake your Mac and keep working without typing your password if you do it quickly. If you choose "when ready", you will always need your password. This setting does not affect the screensaver itself — it only controls what happens when you move your mouse or press a key to wake your Mac.

Customize your screensaver with options and text

Some screensavers have extra options you can adjust. For example, if you choose Floating Message, you can type custom text that will float across your screen. Click the Options button (or gear icon) next to the screensaver name to see what settings are available. Not all screensavers have options — many of the built-in ones like Drift or Kaleidoscope do not.

If you are using the Photos screensaver, you can click Options to choose whether images shuffle randomly or display in order, and whether to show the photo title. These small changes let you personalize your screensaver without switching to a completely different one.

Test your screensaver before you leave

After you choose a screensaver and set your preferences, you can test it right away by clicking the Preview button. Your Mac will show you exactly what the screensaver looks like at full screen. Move your mouse or press any key to exit the preview and return to System Settings. This is a good way to make sure you like how it looks before you actually walk away from your Mac.

Once you close System Settings, your screensaver is active. The next time your Mac sits idle for the number of minutes you chose, the screensaver will start automatically. You do not need to restart your Mac or do anything else — the change takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video file as my screensaver?

Not directly through System Settings. The Photos screensaver only works with still images. If you want a video to play when your Mac is idle, you would need a third-party app from the Mac App Store that handles video screensavers. The built-in options are limited to still images and the animated patterns that come with macOS.

Why is my screensaver not starting even though I set it up?

Check your idle time setting — if it is set to 30 minutes or longer, your Mac may not have been inactive long enough yet. Also check whether your Mac is set to never sleep. If your Mac goes to sleep before the screensaver starts, the screensaver will not appear. You can adjust sleep settings in System Settings under Lock Screen or Energy Saver.

Does the screensaver use a lot of power?

A screensaver uses less power than your normal desktop display, but more than letting your Mac sleep. If you want to save the most power, set your Mac to sleep after a short idle time instead of using a screensaver. You can do both — set the screensaver to start after 5 minutes and your Mac to sleep after 15 minutes, for example.

Can I read new screensavers from the internet?

Yes, the Mac App Store has third-party screensavers you can read, though many cost money. You can also find free screensavers on websites, but be careful to read only from trusted sources. Once installed, third-party screensavers will appear in your System Settings list alongside the built-in ones.