MacWall is a native macOS app distributed as a signed and notarised DMG. There is no App Store build, no account, and no installer bundle of extras. Requirements: Minimum macOS 14.0 or later. Live Lock Screen and Screen Saver playback additionally needs macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later.
Install steps
- Download the latest build from macwall.app/download. The link always serves the current release.
- Open the downloaded `.dmg` and drag MacWall into your Applications folder.
- Eject the disk image, then launch MacWall from Applications or Spotlight.
- On first launch macOS asks to confirm an app downloaded from the internet — click Open. The build is Developer ID signed and notarised by Apple.
- MacWall installs itself as a menu bar app. Look for the icon in the right side of your menu bar; it does not sit in the Dock.
First wallpaper
- Click the MacWall menu bar icon, then Open MacWall.
- Pick any wallpaper from Featured, Newest, or a category.
- Click Set wallpaper. MacWall downloads the loop, then starts hardware-decoded playback behind your windows.
Permissions MacWall asks for
- Screen wallpaper access — required to replace the desktop picture. macOS grants this through the standard wallpaper APIs.
- Notifications (optional) — used only for download-complete and update prompts. Declining changes nothing else.
- No Full Disk Access, no Accessibility, no Screen Recording. If any app asks for those to set a wallpaper, it is not MacWall.
Updates
Auto-update is on by default. MacWall checks a signed updater feed and installs releases in place — the same feed that drives the changelog. You can also re-download the current build at any time from /download; installing over an existing copy keeps your library, favourites, and license.