Short answer: MacWall does not run on macOS Sonoma (macOS 14). It needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later for desktop live wallpapers, and macOS 26 Tahoe or later for a live Lock Screen and Screen Saver. If your Mac is on Sonoma, update macOS first, or use Apple's built-in Aerial wallpapers, which Sonoma already animates.
What Sonoma can do without any app
- Aerial wallpapers: Sonoma added slow-motion aerial videos (landscapes, cities, underwater) that play as your screen saver and then settle into the desktop wallpaper when you log in. Pick one in System Settings → Wallpaper.
- Dynamic wallpapers: the HEIC wallpapers that shift with the time of day are still there. They change a few times a day; they are not continuous video. See dynamic vs live wallpaper.
- No custom video: Sonoma cannot use your own MP4 or MOV as a wallpaper. That needs a third-party app.
Check whether your Mac can move past Sonoma
- Open Apple menu → About This Mac to see your macOS version.
- Open System Settings → General → Software Update. If macOS Sequoia (15) or a later version is offered, your Mac supports it.
- Back up with Time Machine, then update.
- After updating, download MacWall: every download starts with a free 24-hour trial.
If your Mac cannot update
Some older Macs stop at Sonoma. On those, stay with Apple's Aerial and dynamic wallpapers. Third-party live wallpaper apps also set their own minimum macOS version, so check each app's requirements before you buy; MacWall's are listed on the download page.
Frequently asked questions
- Does MacWall work on macOS Sonoma?
- No. MacWall needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later for desktop live wallpapers, and macOS 26 Tahoe or later for the live Lock Screen and Screen Saver.
- Can I set a video as my wallpaper on Sonoma?
- Not with built-in settings. Sonoma animates Apple's own Aerial wallpapers, but a custom MP4 or MOV needs a third-party app that supports Sonoma.
