--- title: "Live Video Screen Savers for Mac (macOS 26+)" description: "Use a MacWall live wallpaper, or your own video with Pro, as your Mac screen saver and Lock Screen on macOS 26 Tahoe or later: how it works and how to set it." canonical: "https://macwall.app/screen-saver-mac" published: "2026-11-06" updated: "2026-11-06" keywords: - "mac screensaver" - "screensaver mac" - "video screensaver mac" - "live screensaver mac" - "custom screensaver mac" - "aerial screensaver mac" --- # Live video screen savers for Mac Use a MacWall live wallpaper, or your own video with Pro, as your Mac screen saver and Lock Screen on macOS 26 Tahoe or later: how it works and how to set it. **On macOS 26 Tahoe or later, MacWall plays the wallpaper you set on your desktop, on the Lock Screen and as the screen saver, so the screen saver is a moving video loop instead of a still or one of Apple's aerials.** Pick one of 1,000+ loops from the catalog, most in 4K, or with Pro a video of your own in MP4, MOV or M4V. On macOS 15 Sequoia, MacWall plays on the desktop only. ## How to set a video screen saver on Mac 1. Check your version in Apple menu > About This Mac: you need macOS 26 Tahoe or later. 2. [Download MacWall](https://macwall.app/download) and start the free 24-hour trial, which includes the Lock Screen and screen saver. 3. Open a wallpaper and click **Set Wallpaper**. With System Wallpaper playback, the default for new installs on macOS 26, the same loop now plays on the desktop, the Lock Screen and the screen saver. 4. To choose when the screen saver starts, open System Settings > Wallpaper > Screen Saver and set **Start Screen Saver** to how long your Mac can be inactive ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-screen-saver-settings-mchlp1227/mac)). ## What changes with each playback mode MacWall has two playback modes, in Settings → Wallpaper → Playback, and the screen saver behaves a little differently in each: - **System Wallpaper**: macOS plays your wallpaper on the desktop, the Lock Screen and the screen saver, even when MacWall is closed. All three show the same wallpaper, sound included. Turn on **Play only on the Lock Screen** in Settings → Lock Screen to keep the desktop on a still frame and let the loop move only when you lock your Mac or the screen saver starts. - **MacWall App**: MacWall plays the desktop while it's open, and Apple's own Aerials player plays a converted copy of the video, without sound, on the Lock Screen and as the screen saver. Turn it on with **Show on Lock Screen and screen saver** in Settings → Lock Screen. The first time a 4K loop goes on the Lock Screen, converting it takes several seconds. - In MacWall App mode the Lock Screen and screen saver can show a different wallpaper from the desktop: open one and choose **Lock Screen Only** from the menu next to Set Wallpaper. ## MacWall or Apple's aerial screen savers macOS already includes moving screen savers: slow-motion aerials in Landscape, Cityscape, Underwater and Earth, plus a Shuffle Aerials option, chosen in System Settings > Wallpaper > Screen Saver ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-screen-saver-settings-mchlp1227/mac)). They are free and made by Apple, and if they are what you want, you don't need an app. MacWall adds a catalog of anime, nature, space, car and other loops, lets you use your own clips with Pro, and keeps the same loop on your desktop if you like. ## Loops that work well as a screen saver Slow, calm scenes look best when you step away from the Mac: [rain](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/rain), [ocean](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/ocean), [snow](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/snow), [galaxy](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/galaxy), [city nights](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/city) and [lofi rooms](https://macwall.app/wallpapers/collections/lofi). Browse the [full gallery](https://macwall.app/wallpapers) for the rest. ## Requirements - macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later for the Lock Screen and screen saver; macOS 15 Sequoia for the desktop - Apple silicon or Intel Mac - MacWall Pro, or the free 24-hour trial - Pro to use your own videos Step-by-step settings for both modes are in the [Lock Screen and screen saver guide](https://macwall.app/docs/live-lock-screen-and-screen-saver). For other apps that offer a screensaver mode, see [the best live wallpaper apps for Mac](https://macwall.app/best-live-wallpaper-mac). ## Sources - [Apple Support: Change Screen Saver settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-screen-saver-settings-mchlp1227/mac), accessed 6 November 2026 - [Live Wallpaper Engine HD on the Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/live-wallpaper-engine-hd/id874715580?mt=12), accessed 6 November 2026 ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I use a video as a screen saver on Mac? Yes, on macOS 26 Tahoe or later with an app such as MacWall: the wallpaper you set also plays as the screen saver. Apple's Screen Saver settings list aerials, photos and built-in screen savers, not your own video files. ### Does a MacWall screen saver work on macOS Sequoia? No. On macOS 15 Sequoia MacWall plays live wallpapers on the desktop only. The Lock Screen and screen saver need macOS 26 Tahoe or later. ### Can the screen saver show a different video from my desktop? Yes, in MacWall App playback mode: choose Lock Screen Only from the menu next to Set Wallpaper, and the Lock Screen and screen saver get that wallpaper while the desktop keeps its own. With System Wallpaper playback, all three show the same one. ### Does the screen saver play sound? With System Wallpaper playback, the Lock Screen and screen saver play the wallpaper's sound, if it has any. With MacWall App playback they are silent, because Apple's Aerials player plays them. ### Does MacWall have a clock screen saver? No. MacWall plays video loops without a clock or widgets. Live Wallpaper Engine HD on the Mac App Store lists clock and weather widgets and a screensaver mode. ### Is the live screen saver part of the free trial? Yes. The 24-hour trial covers the full catalog, Set Wallpaper and the Lock Screen, which includes the screen saver. After the trial, the Lock Screen and screen saver need Pro. --- Source: https://macwall.app/screen-saver-mac