Mac OS · macOS
Change the wallpaper and screen saver on Mac
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Use System Settings > Wallpaper to choose a desktop picture and screen saver, then set the start time or appearance options that macOS offers. Dynamic and aerial items may download before they can be used.
Open Wallpaper
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then select Wallpaper in the sidebar. The right side shows the current wallpaper, screen saver controls, and available Apple and personal-image choices.
Choose the wallpaper
Select an image, color, or a photo you have added. For a dynamic wallpaper, use its appearance menu to choose Automatic, Dynamic, Light, or Dark when those options are available.
Choose a screen saver
In Wallpaper, select Screen Saver and choose the current screen saver. Select an aerial or photo option only after any download indicator has completed.
Set when it starts
In the Screen Saver settings, choose Start Screen Saver and select the inactivity delay you want. You can preview the result from the current screen-saver thumbnail before leaving Settings.
Set display scope carefully
When you use more than one display or desktop space, review the Show on all Spaces setting before assuming a wallpaper change applies everywhere.
Verify the result
Return to the desktop, then wait through the selected inactivity delay or use Preview. Confirm the wallpaper, screen saver, and any clock setting match the intended display.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If an aerial or dynamic image has a download icon, select it and allow the download to finish before testing it.
- If the screen saver never starts, compare the chosen delay with sleep and lock-screen settings; a sleeping display will not keep showing a screen saver.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.