Open System Settings and find the screensaver controls

To change your Mac screensaver, open System Settings (called System Preferences on older Macs). Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar, look for Lock Screen — this is where screensaver settings live on modern macOS versions.

If you are running an older version of macOS, the path is slightly different. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click Desktop & Screen Saver. Both routes lead to the same controls; the location just depends on which macOS version your machine runs.

Choose a screensaver from the gallery

Once you are in the Lock Screen settings (or Desktop & Screen Saver on older systems), you will see a list of built-in screensavers on the left side. These include options like Floating, Message, Drift, and others that come standard with macOS. Click any name to preview it on your screen — the preview plays when ready so you can see what it looks like before you commit.

If you want to use a photo as your screensaver instead, select Photos from the list. This pulls images from your Photos library and cycles through them. You can also choose Memories to have macOS automatically select and display curated photo collections.

Set how long before the screensaver starts

Below the screensaver list, you will see a dropdown menu labeled Start after (or Show screen saver after on older Macs). This controls how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on. The default is usually 10 or 20 minutes, but you can change it to 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or Never.

Choose Never if you do not want a screensaver at all — your Mac will straightforward go to sleep or lock based on your other power settings. Choose a shorter time if you want the screensaver to start quickly when you step away from your desk.

Add custom settings to your screensaver

Some screensavers have extra options. If you select one and an Options button appears below the preview, click it to adjust things like speed, color, or text. For example, the Message screensaver lets you type custom text that will scroll across your screen, and the Floating screensaver lets you choose what objects float by.

Not all screensavers have options — many are straightforward and do not need adjustment. If no Options button appears, the screensaver you chose does not have customizable settings.

Use a photo folder as your screensaver

If you want your screensaver to show photos from a specific folder rather than your entire Photos library, select Photos from the screensaver list, then click Options. A menu will appear letting you choose which album or folder to pull images from. This is useful if you want to cycle through only vacation photos, family pictures, or any other collection you have organized separately.

You can also set the speed at which photos change and whether they shuffle or play in order. Once you have the settings the way you want them, close the Options window — your choice is saved automatically.

Turn off the screensaver entirely

If you decide you do not want a screensaver at all, go back to the Lock Screen settings and set the Start after dropdown to Never. This disables the screensaver without removing it from your system, so you can turn it back on later if you change your mind.

Your Mac will still lock or sleep based on your other settings in System Settings under Lock Screen and Sleep & Screen Saver — turning off the screensaver does not affect those controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, then go to Lock Screen to find screensaver controls on modern Macs, or Desktop & Screen Saver on older versions.
  • Click any screensaver name to preview it before selecting it, and use the Start After dropdown to choose how long your Mac waits before turning it on.
  • Some screensavers have an Options button that lets you customize text, speed, colors, or which photos to display.
  • Set Start After to Never if you do not want a screensaver, and your Mac will still lock or sleep based on your other power settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own photos as a screensaver?

Yes. Select Photos from the screensaver list, then click Options to choose which album or folder to pull images from. Your Mac will cycle through those photos automatically. You can also choose Memories to let macOS pick curated collections from your library.

What is the difference between a screensaver and sleep mode?

A screensaver displays moving images or patterns while your Mac is still awake and using power. Sleep mode turns off your display and puts your Mac into a low-power state. You can have both — the screensaver starts first after a few minutes of inactivity, then your Mac goes to sleep after a longer period.

Why is my screensaver not turning on?

Check that Start After is not set to Never. Also verify that your Mac is not set to never sleep — if your display is always on, the screensaver may not have a chance to start. You can also manually start the screensaver by pressing Control + Shift + Eject (or Control + Shift + Power on newer Macs).

Can I read new screensavers from the internet?

Yes, but be cautious. Third-party screensavers must be installed manually and can sometimes cause stability issues. Stick with the built-in options unless you find a screensaver from a trusted source. Most people find the standard macOS screensavers sufficient.