Open System Settings and find the screensaver controls

To change your Mac screensaver, start by opening System Settings — the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder. Click Lock Screen in the left sidebar. You'll see a preview window showing your current screensaver at the top of the panel.

Below the preview, you'll find a dropdown menu labeled Screensaver. This is where you select which screensaver to use. Click it to see all available options on your Mac. The list includes built-in screensavers like Floating, Drift, Kaleidoscope, and others that come standard with your operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Lock Screen, and click the Screensaver dropdown to see all available screensavers.
  • You can preview any screensaver before explore it by clicking its name in the list.
  • Set the delay time — how long your Mac sits idle before the screensaver starts — using the "Start after" option below the screensaver list.
  • Some screensavers let you customize colors, speed, or content by clicking Options after selecting them.

Preview and select your new screensaver

When you click the Screensaver dropdown, a list appears with all available options. Hover over any name to see a small preview in the window above. Click the name itself to select it and see a larger preview of how it will look on your screen.

If you want to see the screensaver fill your entire screen before committing to it, click the Preview button at the bottom right of the Lock Screen panel. Your Mac will show the screensaver at full size. Move your mouse or press any key to exit the preview and return to System Settings.

Set how long before the screensaver starts

Below the screensaver list, you'll see Start after with a time option next to it. This controls how many minutes your Mac must sit idle before the screensaver turns on. The default is usually 10 minutes, but you can change it to 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or Never.

If you choose Never, your screensaver won't start automatically — you can still trigger it manually by moving your mouse to a hot corner (if you've set one up) or by using a keyboard shortcut. For most people, 10 or 15 minutes is a good balance between letting your Mac rest and not having the screensaver interrupt active work.

Customize screensaver options if available

Some screensavers include customization options. After you select a screensaver, look for an Options button at the bottom of the Lock Screen panel. If it's available and clickable, you can adjust settings like color, speed, or which photos to display.

For example, the Memories screensaver lets you choose which photo library to pull from, while Kaleidoscope lets you adjust the speed and color intensity. Not all screensavers have options — some are fixed. If the Options button is grayed out, that screensaver has no adjustable settings.

Use a folder of your own photos as a screensaver

If you want your screensaver to display photos from a specific folder on your Mac, select Photos from the screensaver list. Click Options and choose which photo source to use — your entire Photos library, a specific album, or a folder of images you've created.

You can also adjust how long each photo displays and whether the photos shuffle randomly or play in order. This is a common way to turn a folder of family photos or artwork into a rotating screensaver that runs whenever your Mac is idle. The Photos screensaver is one of the most flexible options available in System Settings.

Screensaver vs. sleep mode — what's the difference

A screensaver displays moving images or patterns on your screen while your Mac is awake but idle. Your Mac's processor is still running, and the screen is still powered. A screensaver does not save energy — it's mainly visual and exists to prevent image burn-in on older display types.

Sleep mode is different. When your Mac goes to sleep, the screen turns off, the processor slows down, and power consumption drops significantly. You control sleep timing separately in System Settings under Lock Screen (look for "Turn display off after") or in General > Login Items & Extensions. For energy savings, sleep mode is far more effective than a screensaver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video file as my screensaver?

Not directly through System Settings. Mac screensavers are limited to the built-in options and photo libraries. If you want a video to play as a screensaver, you'll need third-party software from the Mac App Store, though most require payment and may not work reliably across macOS updates.

Why isn't my screensaver starting even though I set a delay?

Check whether your Mac is actually idle. If you have a mouse or trackpad plugged in, even small movements can prevent the screensaver from starting. Also verify that you didn't accidentally set the delay to Never. If you're using an external display, the screensaver may only appear on your main screen.

Can I set different screensavers for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your Mac has its own System Settings. Log in as a different user, go to Lock Screen, and choose a different screensaver. When that user logs in, their chosen screensaver will appear.

Does the screensaver turn off my display to save power?

No. A screensaver keeps your display powered and active. To actually turn off your display and save energy, adjust the "Turn display off after" setting in Lock Screen, which is separate from the screensaver setting.