How to Change Your Screensaver on a Mac

Changing your screensaver on a Mac is a straightforward process, but there are more options and variables involved than most people expect. Whether you're running the latest macOS or an older version, the settings live in a slightly different place depending on your system — and the choices you have depend on what macOS considers a "screensaver" versus a "lock screen" in the first place.

Where to Find Screensaver Settings on a Mac

The location of screensaver settings shifted with macOS Ventura (13.0), released in 2022. Apple reorganized System Preferences into System Settings, and screensaver options moved with it.

On macOS Ventura or later:

1. Click the Apple menu (🍎) in the top-left corner
2. Select System Settings
3. Click Screen Saver in the left-hand sidebar
4. Choose a screensaver from the available options on the right

On macOS Monterey (12) or earlier:

1. Click the Apple menu
2. Select System Preferences
3. Click Desktop & Screen Saver
4. Select the Screen Saver tab along the top

If you're unsure which version of macOS you're running, go to Apple menu → About This Mac and check the version number listed there.

What Screensaver Options Are Available?

macOS includes a set of built-in screensavers that range from simple to visually rich. The options available to you depend slightly on your macOS version and your Mac's hardware capability.

Common built-in categories include:

The Aerial screensavers — the cinematic flyover videos Apple uses on Apple TV — became available on Mac starting with macOS Sonoma (14). If you're on an earlier version of macOS, those specific options won't appear.

How to Preview and Customize Your Screensaver

Once you've selected a screensaver in the settings panel, most options offer a Preview button so you can see how it looks before committing. Some screensavers include additional customization options:

• Slideshow types let you choose a photo source (your Photos library, a specific album, or a folder on your Mac)
• Message screensavers let you type custom text
• Shuffle toggles randomize the display order for slideshow screensavers

Not every screensaver has adjustable settings — simpler animated options typically show only the preview.

Setting the Screensaver Activation Time ⏱️

A screensaver won't activate until your Mac has been idle for a set amount of time. You can control this timer:

On macOS Ventura or later:

• In System Settings → Screen Saver, look for the "Show after" dropdown to set the idle time

On macOS Monterey or earlier:

• In Screen Saver tab, use the "Start after" slider or dropdown

Common options range from 1 minute to several hours, or you can set it to Never — which effectively disables the screensaver.

Keep in mind: the screensaver timer and the display sleep timer are separate settings. Your screen may go dark (display sleep) before the screensaver has a chance to activate if the sleep timer is set shorter than the screensaver timer. Display sleep is managed under System Settings → Battery (on laptops) or System Settings → Displays / Energy Saver (on desktops).

Screensavers and the Lock Screen — An Important Distinction

On modern macOS, there's often confusion between the screensaver and the lock screen. These are related but different:

• The screensaver is the animated or visual display that activates during idle time
• The lock screen is the authentication screen that appears when your Mac wakes from sleep or screensaver

You can control whether your Mac requires a password after the screensaver begins under System Settings → Lock Screen. The "Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off" setting lets you choose an immediate lock or a delay of several minutes. This matters if security is a concern — especially on shared or workplace machines.

Third-Party Screensavers on Mac

macOS supports third-party screensavers installed as .saver files. Popular examples include ports of the aerial video screensaver for older macOS versions, retro-style terminal displays, and custom visualizers.

To install a third-party screensaver:

1. Download the .saver file from a trusted source
2. Double-click it — macOS will ask whether to install it for your user account only or for all users
3. It will then appear in your screensaver list

One variable worth noting: macOS security settings (particularly Gatekeeper) may flag screensavers from unidentified developers. You may need to go to System Settings → Privacy & Security to allow the installation to proceed. This applies specifically to screensavers downloaded outside the Mac App Store.

Factors That Affect Your Screensaver Experience

Not every Mac user will have the same screensaver experience, and several variables explain why:

• macOS version determines which built-in screensavers are available — Sonoma's Aerial screensavers aren't present on Monterey
• Hardware performance affects how smoothly video-based screensavers run; older Macs with limited GPU memory may show reduced quality on high-motion screensavers
• Display type and resolution influences how screensavers render — Retina displays show noticeably sharper output
• Power settings on MacBooks interact with screensaver behavior differently depending on whether you're on battery or plugged in
• Multiple monitors can behave differently; macOS may mirror the screensaver or run independent instances depending on the version and display configuration

Whether you're looking for something visually impressive, privacy-focused, or just functional, the right screensaver setup depends on how your Mac is configured, how it's used, and which version of macOS you're working with.