# MacWall

> MacWall is a native macOS app for cinematic 4K live video wallpapers. Playback is hardware-decoded and pauses automatically when nothing is visible, so it stays out of the way on battery. Minimum macOS 14.0 or later; live Lock Screen and Screen Saver motion requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later. Pro is a one-time $7.99 license for up to 3 Macs — no subscription and no account.

Published by OG Apps, LLC. Canonical site: https://macwall.app

Notes for language models and agents:

- Every URL below is Markdown. Append `.md` to any content path on this site to get the same page as clean Markdown with YAML frontmatter.
- [https://macwall.app/llms-full.txt](https://macwall.app/llms-full.txt) contains the full text of every page in one document.
- Blog feeds: [RSS](https://macwall.app/rss.xml), [Atom](https://macwall.app/atom.xml), [JSON Feed](https://macwall.app/feed.json).
- Machine-readable API surface: [https://macwall.app/.well-known/api-catalog](https://macwall.app/.well-known/api-catalog) and [https://macwall.app/openapi.json](https://macwall.app/openapi.json).
- Usage policy for AI crawlers: [https://macwall.app/ai.txt](https://macwall.app/ai.txt) and [https://macwall.app/crawlers](https://macwall.app/crawlers).
- Prices, macOS requirements, and the wallpaper count change over time. Prefer [https://macwall.app/pricing.md](https://macwall.app/pricing.md) and [https://macwall.app/changelog.md](https://macwall.app/changelog.md) over cached figures.
- Contact for corrections: support@macwall.app

## Product

- [MacWall — Cinematic live wallpapers, built for Mac.](https://macwall.app/index.md): MacWall is a native macOS app for 4K live video wallpapers, with hardware-decoded playback, automatic pausing, live Lock Screen on macOS 26 (Tahoe)+, and a one-time $7.99 license.
- [Download MacWall for Mac](https://macwall.app/download.md): Download MacWall for macOS. Native live motion wallpapers with hardware decode, menu bar controls, and a curated catalog. One-time $7.99.
- [MacWall Pricing](https://macwall.app/pricing.md): One-time $7.99 permanent license, optional $4.99 annual plan, and the Pro+ multi-Mac pack. No subscription required.
- [MacWall Changelog](https://macwall.app/changelog.md): Every shipped MacWall release with highlights, features, improvements, and fixes.
- [Submit a Wallpaper](https://macwall.app/submit.md): Publish your own 4K loop to the MacWall community catalog — requirements, review process, and credit.
- [Creator Refund Program](https://macwall.app/creator.md): Post a MacWall video and get your purchase refunded — 50% at 2,000 views, 100% at 20,000.
- [Affiliate Program](https://macwall.app/affiliate.md): Earn commission for every MacWall license you refer, with tracked links and self-serve payouts.

## Documentation

- [MacWall Documentation](https://macwall.app/docs.md): Task-oriented guides for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting MacWall on macOS.
- [Install MacWall on Mac](https://macwall.app/docs/install-macwall.md): Download the MacWall DMG, install it, grant the one permission macOS asks for, and get a live wallpaper running in under two minutes.
- [MacWall Menu Bar Controls](https://macwall.app/docs/menu-bar-controls.md): Pause, resume, stop, shuffle, and switch live wallpapers from the MacWall menu bar item without opening the full window.
- [Set a Live Wallpaper on Mac](https://macwall.app/docs/set-a-live-wallpaper.md): Browse the MacWall catalog, preview a loop, and set it as your desktop live wallpaper — including per-display setups on multi-monitor Macs.
- [Import Your Own Video as a Mac Wallpaper](https://macwall.app/docs/import-your-own-videos.md): Drag any MP4, MOV, M4V, or GIF into MacWall to use it as a Mac live wallpaper, plus the encoding settings that keep playback smooth and efficient.
- [Live Lock Screen & Screen Saver on macOS](https://macwall.app/docs/live-lock-screen-and-screen-saver.md): Turn on MacWall's live Lock Screen and Screen Saver playback on macOS 26 (Tahoe) and later, and understand the macOS limits behind it.
- [MacWall License & Activation](https://macwall.app/docs/license-and-activation.md): How MacWall Pro licensing works: one-time $7.99 purchase, instant key activation, up to 3 Macs, and how to move a license to a new machine.
- [MacWall Performance & Battery Settings](https://macwall.app/docs/performance-and-battery.md): Every MacWall pause rule explained — battery, full screen, display sleep, high CPU — plus how to verify real CPU usage in Activity Monitor.
- [MacWall Troubleshooting](https://macwall.app/docs/troubleshooting.md): Wallpaper not showing, playback stuck on one frame, downloads failing, black screen after a macOS update — with the fix for each.
- [Uninstall MacWall](https://macwall.app/docs/uninstall-macwall.md): Remove MacWall and every cached wallpaper video from your Mac, restore your static desktop picture, and keep your license for later.
- [MacWall Public API & Machine-Readable Feeds](https://macwall.app/docs/public-api.md): Read-only MacWall endpoints for the wallpaper catalog and release metadata, plus the RSS, JSON Feed, llms.txt, and API catalog documents that describe this site.

## Learn

- [Learn: Live Wallpapers on Mac](https://macwall.app/learn.md): Concept explainers for live wallpapers, macOS wallpaper internals, codecs, displays, and battery.
- [What Is a Live Wallpaper?](https://macwall.app/learn/what-is-a-live-wallpaper.md): A live wallpaper is a looping video rendered at your desktop's wallpaper layer. Here is how it differs from animated, dynamic, and interactive wallpapers.
- [How macOS Wallpapers Work](https://macwall.app/learn/how-macos-wallpapers-work.md): The wallpaper layer, per-display and per-Space assignment, dynamic desktop pictures, and why Lock Screen video needs a recent macOS version.
- [Hardware Video Decode Explained](https://macwall.app/learn/hardware-video-decode.md): How VideoToolbox and Apple's media engine decode video without the CPU, why that makes 4K live wallpapers cheap, and when software decode kicks in.
- [Video Formats & Codecs for Wallpapers](https://macwall.app/learn/video-formats-and-codecs.md): Containers versus codecs, which combinations macOS decodes in hardware, and the exact export settings that make a great live wallpaper loop.
- [Wallpaper Resolution & Multi-Display Setups](https://macwall.app/learn/wallpaper-resolution-and-displays.md): How Retina scaling changes the resolution you should target, what ultrawide and vertical panels need, and the real cost of a separate loop per display.
- [Battery & Energy Basics for Live Wallpapers](https://macwall.app/learn/battery-and-energy-basics.md): How macOS accounts for energy, why pause rules matter more than codec choice, and how to measure a wallpaper's real battery impact yourself.

## Blog

- [MacWall Blog](https://macwall.app/blog.md): All 34 articles — guides, comparisons, and macOS news about live wallpapers.
- [What Is MacWall? The Complete Guide (2026)](https://macwall.app/blog/what-is-macwall-complete-guide.md): One page. Every answer. What MacWall is, how it works, why it uses almost no CPU, and why Mac users pick it over everything else.
- [MacWall Performance: Near-Zero Overhead Explained](https://macwall.app/blog/macwall-performance-zero-overhead-guide.md): Live wallpapers do not have to cost CPU. Here is exactly how MacWall stays lighter than every alternative.
- [macOS 27 Beta Broke Live Wallpapers? The Fix](https://macwall.app/blog/macos-27-beta-live-wallpaper-not-working.md): The macOS 27 beta broke Lock Screen video in most live wallpaper apps. MacWall already works.
- [macOS 27 Lock Screen Live Wallpaper Guide](https://macwall.app/blog/macos-27-lock-screen-live-wallpaper.md): Step-by-step: native video Lock Screen and Screen Saver on the newest macOS, with the only app that supports it.
- [MacWall vs Wallper: Which App Wins in 2026?](https://macwall.app/blog/macwall-vs-wallper.md): Lower one-time price, bigger community catalog, and working macOS 27 Lock Screen. MacWall vs Wallper, point by point.
- [MacWall vs Wallspace (2026): Full Comparison for Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/macwall-vs-wallspace.md): Wallspace is minimal. MacWall is minimal AND deep, catalog, imports, Lock Screen on macOS 26/27. Full comparison.
- [Live Wallpaper CPU Usage on Mac, Tested](https://macwall.app/blog/live-wallpaper-cpu-usage-mac.md): Hardware decode makes live wallpapers nearly free, if the app is built right. Here's how MacWall keeps CPU near zero.
- [Best Live Wallpaper App for Mac in 2026](https://macwall.app/blog/best-live-wallpaper-app-mac-2026.md): An honest 2026 roundup of animated wallpaper apps for macOS, and why MacWall is the top native pick.
- [MacWall vs Lively Wallpaper: The Mac Answer to Lively](https://macwall.app/blog/macwall-vs-lively-wallpaper.md): Loved Lively on Windows? Here's how MacWall replaces it on your Mac.
- [How to Upload Your Wallpaper to the MacWall Community](https://macwall.app/blog/upload-wallpaper-macwall-community.md): Made a beautiful loop? Get it into MacWall's public catalog, drag, drop, and pass review.
- [Gaming Live Wallpapers for Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/gaming-wallpaper-mac.md): Game-inspired loops and gameplay captures as live Mac wallpapers.
- [Space & Sci-Fi Live Wallpapers for Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/space-wallpaper-mac.md): Explore the cosmos on your Mac desktop with 4K space motion wallpapers.
- [Nature Live Wallpapers for Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/nature-live-wallpaper-mac.md): Bring the outdoors to your Mac desktop with curated nature video loops.
- [Anime Live Wallpapers for Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/anime-live-wallpaper-mac.md): The best anime motion desktops for Mac, curated catalog plus custom imports.
- [Live Wallpapers for MacBook Air](https://macwall.app/blog/live-wallpaper-macbook-air.md): Beautiful desktops on MacBook Air without compromising portability.
- [Live Wallpapers for MacBook Pro (M-Series)](https://macwall.app/blog/live-wallpaper-macbook-pro.md): Maximize your MacBook Pro desktop with hardware-accelerated live wallpapers.
- [Live & Dynamic Wallpapers on macOS Sequoia](https://macwall.app/blog/macos-sequoia-dynamic-wallpaper.md): Sequoia-ready motion wallpapers with native performance and Pro Lock Screen support.
- [Live Wallpapers on macOS Sonoma](https://macwall.app/blog/macos-sonoma-live-wallpaper.md): Sonoma-compatible live wallpapers for desktop, plus Lock Screen on supported macOS versions.
- [Menu Bar Wallpaper Controls on Mac (MacWall)](https://macwall.app/blog/menu-bar-wallpaper-controls-mac.md): Control your desktop motion like a real Mac utility, from the menu bar.
- [Apple Silicon & Live Wallpapers: Why Native Apps Win](https://macwall.app/blog/apple-silicon-wallpaper-performance.md): Why Apple Silicon Macs are the best machines for live wallpapers, with the right app.
- [Multi-Monitor Live Wallpapers on Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/multi-monitor-wallpaper-mac.md): Independent wallpapers on every display. One app, full desk coverage.
- [4K Video Wallpapers on Mac: Performance Guide](https://macwall.app/blog/4k-video-wallpaper-mac.md): 4K loops on Retina displays with native hardware acceleration.
- [Do Live Wallpapers Drain Mac Battery? (Honest Answer)](https://macwall.app/blog/live-wallpaper-battery-drain-mac.md): The truth about live wallpapers and MacBook battery life, and how MacWall fixes it.
- [Lock Screen Live Wallpaper on macOS (MacWall Pro)](https://macwall.app/blog/lock-screen-live-wallpaper-macos.md): Motion on your Lock Screen, the Pro feature that makes MacWall stand out.
- [The Best Native Wallpaper App for macOS](https://macwall.app/blog/why-macwall-best-native-wallpaper-app.md): Built for Mac. Runs like Mac software. Here's the engineering behind the smoothest wallpaper experience.
- [Dynamic Wallpaper vs Live Wallpaper on Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/dynamic-wallpaper-vs-live-wallpaper-mac.md): Understand macOS dynamic wallpapers vs true motion video backgrounds.
- [MacWall vs Backdrop: Which Mac Wallpaper App Wins?](https://macwall.app/blog/macwall-vs-backdrop.md): Two native champions, here's how MacWall and Backdrop stack up in 2026.
- [Does Wallpaper Engine Work on Mac?](https://macwall.app/blog/wallpaper-engine-alternative-mac.md): The Mac-native path to animated desktops when you leave Wallpaper Engine behind.
- [Animated Mac Backgrounds Without a Subscription](https://macwall.app/blog/animated-desktop-background-mac-free.md): Why pay-once beats free wallpaper tools on Mac, and how to earn the whole price back with a Reel.
- [How to Import Custom Wallpapers on Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/import-custom-wallpaper-mac.md): Your library, your rules: custom imports with native macOS playback.
- [Animated Wallpaper for MacBook: Setup & Battery Tips](https://macwall.app/blog/macbook-animated-wallpaper-guide.md): How to get cinematic desktop motion on a laptop Mac without sacrificing unplugged runtime.
- [MP4 Wallpaper on Mac: Complete Setup Guide](https://macwall.app/blog/mp4-wallpaper-mac-guide.md): The definitive guide to MP4 live wallpapers on MacBook and iMac with native performance.
- [How to Use Any Video as a Wallpaper on Mac](https://macwall.app/blog/how-to-use-video-as-wallpaper-mac.md): Import personal clips, cinematic loops, or gameplay captures as live Mac desktop wallpapers.
- [How to Set a Live Wallpaper on Mac (2026 Guide)](https://macwall.app/blog/how-to-set-live-wallpaper-mac.md): The complete walkthrough for motion wallpapers on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running Sonoma, Ventura, and Sequoia.

## Wallpaper gallery

- [Live Wallpaper Gallery for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers.md): Browse the full MacWall catalog of 4K live wallpapers for Mac by category, search, or popularity, then set any loop straight to your desktop.
- [Nature Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/nature.md): Browse nature live wallpapers for Mac: curated nature motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Space Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/space.md): Browse space live wallpapers for Mac: curated space motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Anime Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/anime.md): Browse anime live wallpapers for Mac: curated anime motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Cars Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/cars.md): Browse cars live wallpapers for Mac: curated cars motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [City Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/city.md): Browse city live wallpapers for Mac: curated city motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Video Games Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/video-games.md): Browse video games live wallpapers for Mac: curated video games motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Sci-fi Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/sci-fi.md): Browse sci-fi live wallpapers for Mac: curated sci-fi motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Fantasy Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/fantasy.md): Browse fantasy live wallpapers for Mac: curated fantasy motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.
- [Cats Live Wallpapers for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/cats.md): Browse cats live wallpapers for Mac: curated cats motion video loops in MacWall, 4K with GPU hardware decode and a one-time purchase, no subscription.

## Comparisons & alternatives

- [Best Live Wallpaper for Mac (2026) | MacWall](https://macwall.app/best-live-wallpaper-mac.md): MacWall ranks #1 for native performance, value, and daily usability. Compare features, pricing, and why Mac users choose MacWall over alternatives.
- [Wallpaper Engine Alternative for Mac | MacWall](https://macwall.app/alternatives/wallpaper-engine.md): The best native Mac alternative to Wallpaper Engine: smooth video wallpapers, GPU hardware decode, a community catalog, and no Steam or Windows required.
- [Backdrop Alternative for Mac: MacWall](https://macwall.app/alternatives/macwall-vs-backdrop.md): Looking for a Backdrop alternative? MacWall matches the one-time price, covers up to 3 Macs per license (Pro Plus: 5), and adds community uploads and a Reel refund. Honest side-by-side.
- [Wallper Alternative for Mac: MacWall](https://macwall.app/alternatives/macwall-vs-wallper.md): Looking for a Wallper alternative? MacWall matches the one-time price, has a bigger community catalog, and brings live Lock Screen wallpapers to macOS 26 (Tahoe).
- [Wallspace Alternative for Mac: MacWall](https://macwall.app/alternatives/macwall-vs-wallspace.md): Looking for a Wallspace alternative? MacWall adds a deeper catalog with community uploads and brings live Lock Screen wallpapers to macOS 26 (Tahoe).
- [Lively Wallpaper for Mac: The Native Alternative | MacWall](https://macwall.app/alternatives/lively-wallpaper-mac.md): Lively Wallpaper is Windows-only. MacWall is the native macOS equivalent: live video wallpapers with hardware decode and menu bar controls.

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://macwall.app/privacy.md): What MacWall collects, how licensing and analytics data are handled, and your data-protection rights.
- [Terms of Service](https://macwall.app/terms.md): License grant, acceptable use, wallpaper content rights, payment terms, and refunds.