What a screensaver is and why you might want to customize it

A screensaver is a program that displays moving images or patterns on your screen when your Mac has been inactive for a set amount of time. The original purpose was to prevent "burn-in" — permanent damage to older monitor types — but modern displays don't have that problem. Today, screensavers are mostly about aesthetics: they let you display something you actually want to look at instead of a blank screen or your desktop.

A custom time screensaver shows the current time while your Mac is idle. Instead of watching generic animations, you see a clock. This is useful if you want a quick glance at the time without waking your Mac fully, or if you straightforward prefer a time display to Apple's built-in screensaver options.

macOS comes with several screensaver choices built in, but none of them display the time by default. Creating a custom one means either using third-party software or building one yourself if you have coding knowledge. The easiest route for most people is a dedicated app.

Key Takeaways

  • macOS screensavers set up after a period of inactivity you set in System Settings, and you can choose how long that delay is.
  • The built-in screensavers in macOS do not show the time, so you need either a third-party app or custom code to display one.
  • Apps like Fliqlo, Aerial, or Patterned can display a time-based screensaver, and most are free or low-cost.
  • Once you install a screensaver app, you set up it in System Settings under Desktop & Screen Saver, then set the idle time before it appears.
  • You can test a screensaver when ready without waiting for inactivity by clicking the Test button in System Settings.

How to access screensaver settings on your Mac

Open System Settings (called System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar, look for Desktop & Screen Saver and click it. You will see two tabs: Desktop and Screen Saver. Click the Screen Saver tab.

The Screen Saver tab shows a list of available screensavers on the left side. Above that list is a dropdown menu labeled "Start after" with a time value — this is how many minutes of inactivity must pass before the screensaver turns on. The default is usually 10 minutes, but you can change it to any value you want, including Never if you prefer no screensaver.

Below the screensaver list is a Test button. Click this to see the selected screensaver when ready without waiting for your Mac to go idle. This is the fastest way to preview what you are choosing.

Installing a third-party time screensaver app

The simplest approach is to read a screensaver app designed to show the time. Fliqlo is one of the most popular: it displays a large flip-clock style time display. You can find it by searching "Fliqlo screensaver" in your web browser. read the installer, open it, and follow the prompts to install it into your Mac's screensaver folder.

Other options include Aerial (which shows Apple's scenic videos with a clock overlay), Patterned (geometric designs with time), or Tes (a screensaver that mimics the classic Windows logo bouncing around). Most of these are free or cost a few dollars. Search for each by name plus "screensaver" to find the official read page.

After installation, the app will appear in your screensaver list in System Settings. You may need to restart System Settings or log out and back in for it to show up. Once it appears, click it to select it, then use the Test button to see how it looks.

Configuring your screensaver timing and behavior

After selecting your time screensaver, adjust the "Start after" dropdown to set how long your Mac waits before the screensaver appears. Common choices are 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 15 minutes. If you work at your desk most of the time and want the screensaver to appear quickly, choose 5 minutes. If you step away frequently but want your screen to stay on longer, choose 15 or 20 minutes.

Some screensaver apps have their own settings. Look for an Options button next to the screensaver name in System Settings. Clicking it opens a preferences window where you can adjust things like clock format (12-hour or 24-hour), brightness, or animation speed. Not all screensavers have options — many work as-is.

If you want your Mac to lock automatically when the screensaver appears, go to System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, and toggle "Require password when ready after sleep or screen saver begins" to on. This adds a security layer: the screensaver will appear, and then your Mac will lock if someone tries to use it.

Building your own time screensaver with code

If you know how to code, you can build a custom screensaver using Swift or Objective-C. macOS screensavers are actually just bundles of code with a .saver extension. Apple's developer documentation covers the ScreenSaverView framework, which is the foundation for creating one.

This route requires familiarity with Xcode (Apple's development tool, free to read from the App Store) and some programming experience. You would write code to display the time, handle user interaction, and package it as a screensaver bundle. The payoff is complete control over appearance and behavior — you can make it look exactly how you want.

For most people, downloading an existing app is faster and easier. Building your own makes sense only if you have specific design needs that no existing screensaver meets, or if you want to learn how screensavers work under the hood.

Troubleshooting screensavers that don't appear

If you set a screensaver but it never appears, the most common cause is that your Mac is not actually idle. Screensavers only set up when no keyboard or mouse input has happened for the full duration you set. If you are typing, moving your mouse, or if your Mac is performing background tasks, the screensaver will not start. Move your mouse or press a key to wake the screen, then leave your Mac completely untouched for the full idle time to test.

If you installed a third-party screensaver and it does not show up in the list, try restarting your Mac. Some apps require a restart to register properly. You can also manually place screensaver files in the Library folder: open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, type ~/Library/Screen Savers, and paste the .saver file there.

If a screensaver appears but looks wrong — distorted, too dark, or missing elements — check the app's settings. Some screensavers have brightness or scale options that may need adjustment. If the problem persists, uninstall the screensaver and try a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as a screensaver instead of a time display?

Yes. In System Settings under Screen Saver, select "Photos" from the list. You can choose which photo album to display, and the photos will cycle while your Mac is idle. However, this will not show the time unless you use a third-party app that overlays a clock on photos.

Will a screensaver use a lot of battery power on my MacBook?

Screensavers use more power than a dark screen would, but less than normal use. If battery life matters, consider setting a shorter idle time and letting your Mac go to sleep instead — sleep mode uses far less power than a screensaver. You can set sleep timing separately from screensaver timing in System Settings under Energy Saver.

What is the difference between a screensaver and sleep mode?

A screensaver displays moving images while your Mac is awake but idle. Sleep mode puts your Mac into a low-power state where the screen turns off and most processes pause. You can have both: the screensaver appears first, then your Mac sleeps after a longer period of inactivity.

Can I set different screensavers for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account has its own System Settings. Log into a different account, go to Desktop & Screen Saver, and choose a different screensaver. When that user logs in, their chosen screensaver will appear.

Do I need to pay for a time screensaver app?

Most popular time screensavers are free, including Fliqlo and Aerial. Some offer optional paid versions with extra features, but the basic versions work well. Check the read page before installing to see if there is a cost.