Where to find screensaver settings on your Mac

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then click Lock Screen in the sidebar. You'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Start after" — this controls how long your Mac sits idle before the screensaver turns on. Below that is another dropdown showing your current screensaver. Click it to see all available options and pick a different one.

If you're running macOS Ventura or newer, the Lock Screen section also shows a preview of what your chosen screensaver will look like. Older versions show a smaller preview window. Either way, you can see the effect before you commit to it.

The screensaver you pick here is separate from your login screen background — changing one doesn't change the other. Your screensaver only appears after your Mac locks or after the idle time you set runs out.

Key Takeaways

  • Screensaver settings live in System Settings under Lock Screen, not in a separate Screensaver pane like on older Macs.
  • You control both which screensaver plays and how long your Mac waits before showing it, using two separate dropdowns.
  • Built-in options include Floating Message, Drift, Kaleidoscope, and others, plus any photos you've added to a custom folder.
  • Changing your screensaver doesn't affect your login screen background or your desktop wallpaper.

Built-in screensavers that come with macOS

Every Mac includes several screensavers by default. Floating Message displays text you type — useful for showing a phone number or "Do Not Disturb" on your locked screen. Drift shows slowly moving abstract shapes. Kaleidoscope creates symmetrical color patterns. Message is similar to Floating Message but with a preset message. Aerial plays video footage of cities and landscapes.

You also get Chlorophyll, which shows moving plant-like patterns, and Cosmos, which displays space imagery. The exact list varies slightly depending on your macOS version — newer versions add options while older ones may not have all of these.

If none of the built-in options appeal to you, you can use photos from your Mac as a screensaver. This is covered in the next section.

Using your own photos as a screensaver

To use photos as your screensaver, go back to System Settings > Lock Screen and click the screensaver dropdown. Look for an option labeled Photos or Photos Slideshow. When you select it, a second dropdown appears asking which photo album or folder to use.

You can choose from your entire Photos library, a specific album within Photos, or a folder on your Mac containing image files. If you pick a folder, make sure it contains only images — the screensaver will cycle through every image file it finds there. You can also set how long each photo displays before moving to the next one, usually between 2 and 60 seconds.

This approach works well if you want to display family photos, artwork, or screenshots while your Mac is locked. The slideshow repeats from the beginning once it reaches the last image.

Setting how long before your screensaver starts

The "Start after" dropdown in Lock Screen settings controls the idle time. Your options typically range from 1 minute to 1 hour, plus "Never" if you want to disable the screensaver entirely. Choose a shorter time (like 5 or 10 minutes) if you step away from your desk frequently and want your screen to lock quickly for security. Choose a longer time if you're often reading or watching something without actively using the keyboard or trackpad.

Keep in mind that your Mac's display will also turn off after a separate idle period, which you can set under System Settings > Displays > Lock Screen. The screensaver runs between the time your Mac becomes idle and the time the display actually powers down.

Customizing the Floating Message screensaver

If you choose Floating Message as your screensaver, a text field appears below the screensaver dropdown. Type whatever you want to display — a phone number, a name, a reminder, or any other short text. The message will float across your screen when the screensaver activates.

This is useful if you're lending your Mac to someone and want to display contact information, or if you want a visible reminder on your locked screen. The text appears in white on a dark background by default, and you cannot change the font or color directly from System Settings.

Troubleshooting screensaver problems

If your screensaver isn't appearing even though you've set an idle time, check whether your Mac is actually going idle. Some apps — like video players or presentation software — prevent the screensaver from starting while they're running. Close or pause the app and try again.

If a photo screensaver shows a blank screen or won't load, verify that the folder or album you selected actually contains images. If you chose a folder, make sure the file names don't contain special characters that might confuse macOS. Try selecting a different album or folder to test whether the problem is with your Mac's settings or with the specific folder.

On very old Macs running macOS Sierra or earlier, screensaver settings may be in a separate System Preferences pane rather than under Lock Screen. Look for a pane labeled "Desktop & Screen Saver" instead.

Screensaver versus login screen background

Your screensaver and your login screen background are two different things. The screensaver appears after your Mac locks or goes idle. The login screen background is what you see when you restart your Mac or when someone tries to log in. Changing one does not affect the other.

To change your login screen background, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and look for a section labeled "Lock Screen" or "Login Window." You can set a different image there. Your desktop wallpaper is controlled separately under System Settings > Wallpaper and affects only what you see on your desktop when no windows are open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video file as a screensaver on my Mac?

No — macOS screensavers accept only still images or built-in animated patterns. If you want video to play when your Mac is locked, you would need third-party software. The built-in Aerial screensaver is the closest option, as it plays video footage of landscapes and cities.

Why does my screensaver keep turning off after a few seconds?

Your Mac may be detecting mouse movement or keyboard input even when you're not actively using it. Some apps or background processes can also trigger activity that wakes the screensaver. Try moving your mouse and keyboard to a different location, or check whether any apps are running in the background that might be sending input signals.

Does the screensaver use more battery power on a laptop?

No — in fact, letting your Mac go to sleep uses less battery than running a screensaver. If you're on a laptop and concerned about battery life, consider setting a shorter idle time before your display turns off entirely, rather than using a screensaver.

Can I make the screensaver start when ready without waiting for idle time?

Not directly from System Settings. However, you can manually lock your Mac by pressing Control + Command + Q, which will show your screensaver right away if one is set. You can also create a keyboard shortcut or use a third-party app to lock your screen faster.