Access the Screensaver Settings on Your Apple TV

To change your Apple TV screensaver, open Settings from the home screen, then go to AirPlay and HomeKit, and select Screensaver. From there you can pick a new screensaver style, adjust how long the device waits before showing it, and control whether photos or videos play during idle time.

The screensaver activates automatically when your Apple TV has been inactive for a set period. By default, this is 15 minutes, but you can shorten or lengthen that wait time in the same menu. The exact path depends on whether you have an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or an older model, but the Screensaver option always lives under AirPlay and HomeKit settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then Screensaver to see all available options.
  • Apple TV offers built-in screensavers like Aerial (moving cityscapes), Floating (colorful shapes), and Color (solid backgrounds), plus options to display your own photos or videos.
  • You can set how many minutes pass before the screensaver turns on, ranging from 1 to 30 minutes of inactivity.
  • If you choose Photos or Videos as your screensaver, you can select which album or folder the Apple TV pulls images from.

Choose Between Built-In Screensavers and Personal Content

Apple TV comes with several built-in screensavers you can select without any setup. Aerial shows cinematic footage of cities and landscapes from around the world and is the default choice on most devices. Floating displays colorful geometric shapes that drift across the screen. Color fills the screen with a single solid color you can customize. Kaleidoscope creates symmetrical, shifting patterns.

If you want something more personal, select Photos or Videos instead. When you choose Photos, the screensaver will pull images from your iCloud Photo Library, a specific album, or a folder on your Apple TV. When you choose Videos, it plays video files stored on your device or accessible through iCloud. This option is useful if you want to display family photos or a looping video during idle time.

Set the Wait Time Before the Screensaver Appears

In the same Screensaver menu, look for the Start After option. This controls how long your Apple TV stays active before the screensaver turns on. The default is 15 minutes, but you can change it to 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes.

Choose a shorter time if you want the screensaver to appear quickly when you step away—this can reduce power use and screen burn-in on older displays. Choose a longer time if you frequently pause while watching or using apps and don't want the screensaver interrupting you. There is no "never" option; the screensaver will always set up eventually if the device remains idle.

Configure Photos or Videos as Your Screensaver

If you selected Photos as your screensaver, you will see an option to choose which source the images come from. Select iCloud Photo Library to display all photos synced to your Apple account, or pick a specific album like "Favorites" or "Recents." You can also choose A Specific Folder if you have organized photos into custom folders on your device.

For Videos, the process is similar—you choose where the Apple TV should look for video files. Make sure the videos are in a format your Apple TV supports, such as MP4 or MOV. The screensaver will loop through the videos you have selected, playing them in sequence during idle time. If you have only one video, it will repeat continuously.

Troubleshoot Common Screensaver Problems

If your screensaver is not appearing after the set wait time, check that you have actually saved your changes. Sometimes the menu closes without confirming the selection. Go back into Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Screensaver and verify the option you chose is still selected.

If you selected Photos or Videos and nothing is showing, make sure the source you picked actually contains images or videos. If you chose iCloud Photo Library, confirm that your Apple TV is signed in with the same Apple ID that owns those photos. If you chose a specific folder, check that the folder path is correct and the files are in a supported format. Restarting your Apple TV (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in) often fixes display issues with custom content.

Switch Back to a Built-In Screensaver Anytime

You are not locked into your choice. Return to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Screensaver whenever you want to pick something different. This takes about 30 seconds and takes effect when ready the next time the screensaver activates.

Many people rotate between screensavers seasonally or based on mood—Aerial during winter, a personal photo album during the holidays, or a solid color if you are concerned about screen burn-in. There is no limit to how often you can change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own video as a screensaver?

Yes. Select Videos in the Screensaver menu, then choose the folder or location where your video file is stored. The video must be in a format Apple TV supports, such as MP4, MOV, or M4V. The video will loop continuously during idle time.

What if the Screensaver option is grayed out or missing?

This usually means your Apple TV software is out of date. Go to Settings > System > About and check for a software update. If an update is available, install it and restart your device. After updating, the Screensaver option should be available.

Does the screensaver use a lot of power?

The screensaver uses less power than an active app or video, but more than if the TV were completely off. If you want to save the most power, consider setting the wait time to a shorter interval so the screensaver appears sooner. You can also turn off your TV manually when you are done watching instead of relying on the screensaver.

Can I set a different screensaver for different times of day?

No. Apple TV does not have a scheduling feature for screensavers. You can only set one screensaver at a time, though you can change it manually whenever you want through the Settings menu.

Why is my photo album not showing up in the screensaver?

Make sure your Apple TV is signed in with the same Apple ID that owns the photos. If you are using iCloud Photo Library, check that photo syncing is turned on in your Apple ID settings on the Apple TV. If you selected a specific folder, verify the folder contains photos in a supported format like JPEG or HEIF.