Access the Screensaver Settings on Your Apple TV

To change your Apple TV screensaver, open the Settings app from the home screen, then go to Screensaver. You'll see a list of built-in screensavers Apple provides, along with options to customize how long your TV waits before the screensaver appears. The entire process takes about two minutes.

Your Apple TV model determines exactly where you'll find this menu. On tvOS 16 and newer (the current version for most devices), Screensaver is a top-level Settings option. On older tvOS versions, you may need to go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Screensaver instead. If you're unsure which version you have, go to Settings > System > About to check.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, then Screensaver, and select from Apple's built-in options like Aerial, Floating Colors, or Kaleidoscope.
  • Set the idle time before the screensaver starts by choosing from 2, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes in the same menu.
  • You can use photos from your iCloud Photo Library as a screensaver by selecting the Photos option and choosing an album.
  • Screensaver settings sync across all Apple TV devices linked to the same Apple ID, so you only need to change it once.

Choose a Built-In Screensaver

Apple TV comes with several screensaver options. Aerial is the most popular — it plays high-definition video of landscapes and cities filmed from above. Floating Colors displays abstract shapes that drift across the screen. Kaleidoscope creates symmetrical geometric patterns. Solid Colors fills the screen with a single color you choose. Each one plays silently and uses minimal power.

To pick one, highlight it in the Screensaver menu and press Select on your remote. A preview plays when ready so you can see what it looks like before confirming. If you don't like it, go back and try another. There's no wrong choice — you can change it anytime.

Set How Long Before the Screensaver Starts

In the same Screensaver menu, you'll see an option for Start After. This controls how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on. Your choices are 2, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. The default is usually 5 minutes.

If you leave your Apple TV on constantly and want it to start quickly to save power, choose 2 minutes. If you're actively using your TV and find the screensaver annoying, pick 30 minutes. You can test your choice by not touching the remote for the time you selected — the screensaver will start automatically when the timer runs out.

Use Your Own Photos as a Screensaver

Instead of a built-in screensaver, you can display photos from your iCloud Photo Library. Select Photos from the Screensaver menu, then choose which album to show. Your Apple TV will cycle through those photos while the screensaver is active.

This only works if you have iCloud Photos turned on in your Apple ID settings and photos stored in iCloud. If you don't see your photos appear, check that iCloud Photos is enabled on the Apple TV by going to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account] > iCloud and toggling it on. It may take a few minutes for your photo library to sync to the device.

Troubleshoot When the Screensaver Won't Change

If you change the screensaver but it doesn't take effect, restart your Apple TV. Hold the Select and Menu buttons on your remote for about six seconds until the light on the device blinks. Wait 30 seconds for it to restart, then check your screensaver setting again.

If you're using Photos and they're not showing up, make sure you're signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID on both your iPhone or Mac and your Apple TV. Photos stored only on your device won't appear — they have to be in iCloud. If you've recently added photos, wait a few minutes for them to sync before checking again.

Screensaver Settings Across Multiple Apple TVs

If you own more than one Apple TV and they're all signed into the same Apple ID, your screensaver choice syncs automatically to all of them. Change it on one device and the others update within a few minutes. This is helpful if you want a consistent look across your home, but it also means changing one will change all of them.

If you want different screensavers on different Apple TVs, sign each one into a different Apple ID. Then you can customize each device independently. Settings won't sync between them, so you'll manage each one separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off the screensaver completely?

No, Apple TV doesn't have an option to disable the screensaver entirely. You can set the idle time to 30 minutes, which is the longest wait before it starts, but it will eventually turn on. If you want to prevent your TV from going to sleep, keep using it or press a button on the remote periodically.

Why is my screensaver showing a black screen?

If you selected Solid Colors and picked black, that's what you'll see. Try switching to a different screensaver like Aerial or Floating Colors. If the screen is black and you didn't choose that, restart your Apple TV by holding Select and Menu for six seconds.

Do screensavers use a lot of power?

Screensavers use less power than a live TV picture, but more than if your TV is completely off. If you want to save the most power, turn off your Apple TV entirely when you're not using it rather than relying on the screensaver.

Can I upload custom screensavers from my computer?

Apple TV doesn't support uploading custom screensavers directly. Your options are the built-in screensavers or photos from your iCloud Photo Library. If you want to display a specific image, add it to an album in iCloud Photos and select that album as your screensaver.