Open System Settings and find the screensaver controls

To change your screensaver on a Mac Air, start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, scroll down and click Screensaver. You'll see a preview window showing your current screensaver and a list of available options below it.

If you don't see Screensaver in the sidebar, you may need to scroll down further — it sits near the bottom of the list, below Display and Wallpaper but above Lock Screen. The exact position can vary slightly depending on your macOS version. Once you're in the Screensaver section, all the controls you need are on this single screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings from the Apple menu, then navigate to Screensaver in the left sidebar to see all available options.
  • Click any screensaver name to preview it in the window before you commit to the change.
  • Set the delay time — how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on — using the dropdown menu labeled Start After.
  • Some screensavers let you customize colors, speed, or which photos appear by clicking the Options button.
  • Check the box for "Show lock screen when waking from screensaver" if you want your Mac to ask for a password when you return.

Select a screensaver from the list

The screensaver list includes options like Floating Message, Drift, Kaleidoscope, and others that come built into macOS. Click any name once to see a live preview in the window above the list. The preview shows you exactly what the screensaver will look like on your screen, so you can judge the colors, speed, and overall feel before making it permanent.

Scroll through the list to explore all available options. Some screensavers are straightforward geometric patterns, while others display photos or animated effects. Take your time previewing — there's no penalty for clicking through options before you decide. You can also see the name of each screensaver in the list, which helps you remember which one you liked if you want to come back to it later.

Adjust the delay time before the screensaver starts

Below the screensaver list, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled Start after. This controls how many minutes your Mac sits idle before the screensaver turns on. Click the dropdown to choose from options like 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or Never.

If you set it to Never, your screensaver won't turn on automatically, though you can still start it manually by moving your mouse to a hot corner if you've set one up. Most people choose 5 or 10 minutes — long enough that the screensaver won't interrupt active work, but short enough to protect privacy if you step away from your desk. The delay timer resets every time you use your keyboard or trackpad, so brief activity won't trigger the screensaver.

Customize screensaver options if available

Some screensavers offer customization. When you select one, look for an Options button below the preview window. Click it to open settings specific to that screensaver — for example, Floating Message lets you type custom text that will display, while Photo Screensaver lets you choose which album to display and how fast the photos change.

Not all screensavers have options. If the Options button is grayed out or missing, that screensaver doesn't offer customization. You can still use it as-is, or choose a different one that does have settings you want to adjust. The Options button only appears for screensavers that support changes.

Control what wakes the screensaver

Below the Start After dropdown, you'll see a checkbox for Show lock screen when waking from screensaver. If this is checked, your Mac will ask for your password when you move the mouse or press a key to turn off the screensaver. If it's unchecked, your Mac returns to your desktop when ready without requiring authentication.

For security, most people leave this checked — it prevents someone from walking up to your unattended Mac and using it without your password. Uncheck it only if you're in a private space and don't need that protection. This setting is separate from your Mac's sleep settings, so you can have a screensaver turn on quickly while still requiring a password to regain access.

Set up hot corners for when ready screensaver set up

If you want to start your screensaver when ready without waiting for the idle timer, you can set up a hot corner. Go back to System Settings, click Screensaver again, then look for Hot Corners in the bottom-right corner of the window. Click the button to open Hot Corners settings.

Choose one of the four corners of your screen and assign it to Start Screensaver. Now, whenever you move your mouse to that corner, the screensaver turns on when ready. This is useful if you want to lock your Mac quickly without waiting for the idle delay or typing a password. You can assign different actions to different corners — for example, one corner for screensaver and another for sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own photos as a screensaver?

Yes. Select Photos from the screensaver list, then click Options. You can choose which photo album or folder to display. Your Mac will cycle through the photos in that album when the screensaver is active, and you can adjust the speed at which photos change.

Why isn't my screensaver turning on after the delay time?

Check that you didn't set it to Never in the Start After dropdown. Also, if your Mac is plugged in and you've set it to never sleep, the screensaver may not set up. Some apps also prevent screensavers from running while they're in use — try closing other programs and waiting to see if the screensaver appears.

Can I use a video file as a screensaver?

The built-in screensavers don't support video files directly. However, you can read third-party screensaver apps from the Mac App Store that accept video. Search for "video screensaver" to see available options that may work with your needs.

Does the screensaver use a lot of battery on my Mac Air?

Screensavers use some power, but less than keeping your display fully active. If you're concerned about battery life, setting your Mac to sleep instead of using a screensaver is more efficient. You can adjust sleep settings in System Settings under Energy Saver or Battery.