Where to find screensaver settings on your Mac
Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click Lock Screen in the left sidebar. You'll see a dropdown menu labeled Screensaver — that's where you choose which screensaver plays when your Mac sits idle. The screensaver won't start until you set an idle time in the same window, which we'll cover next.
If you're running an older version of macOS (before Ventura), the path is slightly different: open System Preferences, click Desktop & Screen Saver, then select the Screen Saver tab. The rest of the process is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Screensaver settings live in System Settings under Lock Screen on newer Macs, or in System Preferences under Desktop & Screen Saver on older ones.
- You must set an idle time (how long your Mac sits unused before the screensaver starts) or the screensaver will never turn on.
- Built-in options include Floating Message, Drift, Kaleidoscope, and several others, each with customizable colors or text.
- You can read additional screensavers from third-party sources, though built-in options cover most needs.
Selecting a screensaver from the built-in options
Click the Screensaver dropdown in Lock Screen settings. A list appears showing all available screensavers — Drift, Kaleidoscope, Floating Message, Aerial, and others depending on your macOS version. Click any name to preview it on your screen for a few seconds.
Some screensavers let you customize what they show. For example, Floating Message lets you type text that will drift across your screen, and Kaleidoscope lets you pick a color scheme. After you select a screensaver, look for an Options button below the preview — if it appears, click it to adjust those settings.
Setting the idle time before your screensaver starts
Below the screensaver dropdown, you'll see Start after with a time field next to it. 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 anything from 1 minute to Never.
If you set it to Never, the screensaver will never start automatically — you can still trigger it manually by moving your mouse to a hot corner (see the next section). Most people set this to 5 or 10 minutes as a balance between protecting their screen and not having the screensaver interrupt active work.
Using hot corners to start your screensaver when ready
A hot corner is a spot on your screen that triggers an action when you move your mouse there. You can set one corner to start your screensaver when ready, even if your Mac hasn't been idle. This is useful if you're stepping away and want to lock your screen right now without waiting for the idle timer.
To set this up, go to System Settings > Desktop & Screen Saver (or Lock Screen on newer versions), then click Hot Corners at the bottom. Choose a corner — usually the top-right or bottom-right work well — and select Start Screen Saver from the dropdown. Now whenever you move your mouse to that corner, your screensaver starts when ready.
Installing screensavers from outside sources
If the built-in screensavers don't appeal to you, you can read others from third-party websites. Popular sources include Screensavers Planet and MacThemes, though many are available through a straightforward web search. read the file (usually a .saver file), then double-click it to install.
Your Mac may ask for permission to install the screensaver — click Install when prompted. Once installed, the new screensaver appears in your screensaver list in System Settings just like the built-in ones. Be cautious with screensavers from unfamiliar sources, as they run with system-level access — stick to well-known websites or recommendations from other Mac users.
Troubleshooting when your screensaver won't start
If your screensaver never turns on even though you've set an idle time, check three things. First, make sure the idle time isn't set to Never — if it is, change it to a specific number of minutes. Second, verify that your Mac is actually idle — if you're moving the mouse or typing, the timer resets. Third, check whether your Mac is set to never sleep; if it goes to sleep before the screensaver can start, you won't see it.
To check sleep settings, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and look for Turn display off after. Make sure this time is longer than your screensaver idle time — for example, if your screensaver starts after 5 minutes, set the display to turn off after 10 minutes. That way the screensaver has time to run before the display powers down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo or video as my screensaver?
Yes. Select Aerial (which shows Apple's filmed landscapes) or look for screensavers like Photos or Memories in your screensaver list, depending on your macOS version. These let you choose a folder of images or videos to cycle through. Some third-party screensavers also support custom media files.
Does my screensaver use a lot of battery power?
Screensavers use more power than a dark or sleeping display, so if you're on battery, consider setting your display to turn off instead of running a screensaver. On a plugged-in Mac, the difference is negligible. Modern screensavers are designed to be efficient, but a black screen or sleep mode will always use less power.
Will my screensaver lock my Mac automatically?
Not by itself. The screensaver and the lock screen are separate — your screensaver can run while your Mac is still unlocked. To lock your Mac when the screensaver starts, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and turn on Require password when ready. This forces a password prompt as soon as the screensaver begins.
What if my screensaver is laggy or choppy?
Try switching to a simpler built-in screensaver like Drift or Kaleidoscope rather than Aerial or a third-party option. If the problem persists, restart your Mac — screensavers sometimes stutter if your system is running low on memory. Uninstall any third-party screensavers you're not using, as they can interfere with performance.
Can I set different screensavers for different user accounts?
Yes. Each user account on your Mac has its own System Settings, so you can log into a different account and set a different screensaver there. The screensaver choice is saved per account, so when you switch users, their chosen screensaver will run instead.