Changing the screensaver on your MacBook is a simple way to add a personal touch to your workspace. Whether you want to display your favourite photos or prefer a calming animated design macOS makes it easy to customise your screensaver settings. This guide will show you how to change the screensaver on your MacBook using the built-in System Settings app.
These instructions apply to macOS Ventura and later versions but the process is very similar on older versions such as Monterey or Big Sur. You do not need to download any special apps or software to do it.
What Is a Screensaver
A screensaver is a visual display that appears when your MacBook has been idle for a set period of time. It was originally designed to prevent image burn-in on older monitors but today screensavers are more about aesthetics and privacy. They can show animations photos or abstract patterns while your MacBook is not in use.
macOS offers several built-in screensaver options including classic image flows clock displays and photo-based slideshows from your own library or shared albums.
How to Access Screensaver Settings
To change the screensaver on macOS Ventura or newer click the Apple menu in the top left corner and open System Settings. In the sidebar select Screen Saver under the Appearance section.
You will see a preview of your current screensaver and a selection of available options to choose from. If you click on one it will immediately show how it looks in the preview window.
On older versions such as macOS Monterey go to System Preferences and choose Desktop & Screen Saver. Click the Screen Saver tab at the top of the window to view the available screensavers.
Choosing a New Screensaver
You can choose from built-in options such as Drift Flurry Ken Burns or Album Art. Some screensavers use your own photos from the Photos app or a specific folder on your Mac.
To use personal photos select Photos from the list then choose an album or folder. The screensaver will cycle through your chosen images with smooth transitions. You can also adjust how the images are displayed using the drop-down style menu.
Many people like using this feature to show holiday pictures family albums or favourite travel memories when the MacBook is idle.
Customising the Screensaver
Once you have chosen your preferred screensaver you can adjust additional settings. These include how long the MacBook must be idle before the screensaver starts and whether it shows the clock during display.
To change the timer setting go to System Settings > Lock Screen and look for Start Screen Saver when inactive. Choose the amount of idle time you prefer such as one minute five minutes or never.
If you want the screensaver to act as a layer of privacy you can also require your password after it ends. This option is found under System Settings > Lock Screen with the setting called Require password after screen saver begins.
Troubleshooting Screensaver Issues
If your screensaver does not appear make sure your MacBook is not set to never start it. Also check that the laptop is not in low power mode or that display sleep settings are not overriding it. Sometimes external monitors or misconfigured display settings can affect how the screensaver activates.
If you have added custom folders or albums that are not displaying correctly check permissions and make sure the source contains compatible image files.
Final Thoughts
Changing your MacBook’s screensaver is a quick way to personalise your device and enjoy a more pleasant idle display. Whether you choose a calming animation or a photo slideshow the process is simple and customisable. By accessing System Settings or System Preferences you can manage your screensaver choices and adjust how they work based on your preferences and usage habits.