To set a live wallpaper on a Mac, install a live wallpaper app such as MacWall, pick a video loop, and click Set. macOS has no built-in option for video wallpapers. It ships with a handful of dynamic wallpapers, but they are scheduled still images and you cannot use your own video loops. MacWall is a native app that plays motion wallpapers behind your desktop windows, with hardware decoding on Apple Silicon, menu bar controls, and an offline-friendly catalog.
Step 1: Download MacWall
Visit macwall.app/download and grab the latest DMG. Open it, drag MacWall to Applications, and launch from the Dock. The app runs quietly in the background, you control everything from the menu bar icon.
Step 2: Pick a wallpaper from the catalog
Open MacWall and browse Home, Explore, or Library. Categories include Anime, Nature, Cars, Gaming, Space, Heroes, Dark, Abstract, and Others. Tap any tile to preview, then set it as your desktop background. Videos loop seamlessly with zero stutter.
Step 3: Import your own clips (optional)
Drag and drop MP4, MOV, M4V, or GIF files into MacWall. Your imports stay in your Library, perfect for personal loops, cinematic edits, or clips you found online.
Step 4: Control playback from the menu bar
Pause, resume, or stop from the menu bar without opening the main window. MacWall automatically pauses when another app goes full screen, and can pause in Low Power Mode, so your Mac stays fast during work and gaming.
Step 5: Turn on Lock Screen motion
MacWall Pro adds Lock Screen live wallpaper on macOS 26 (Tahoe) and later. One-time purchase, lifetime updates, up to 3 Macs per license (Pro Plus: 5 Macs).
Where to find live wallpapers
Browse the web gallery or start from a collection: Gojo, Spider-Man, JDM cars, rain, lofi, or galaxy. Every wallpaper page has a Set on Mac button that opens it straight in the app.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you have a live wallpaper on a Mac?
- Yes, with a live wallpaper app. macOS only supports still and dynamic wallpapers on its own; apps like MacWall play video loops as the desktop wallpaper on macOS 15 and later.
- How do I get live wallpapers on my MacBook?
- Download MacWall, open it, pick a wallpaper from the catalog or import your own MP4 or MOV, and click Set. It works on every MacBook Air and MacBook Pro running macOS 15 or later.
- Do live wallpapers drain the battery on a Mac?
- Very little with a native app. MacWall decodes video in hardware and pauses automatically behind full-screen apps and when the display sleeps.
- How do I remove a live wallpaper on Mac?
- Choose Stop from the MacWall menu bar icon, or quit the app, then pick any still wallpaper in System Settings > Wallpaper.
