The Apple Screen Saver Policy allows IT administrators to configure and enforce screen saver settings on managed macOS devices. This helps maintain security, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure a consistent experience across all endpoints.
🧭 Overview
This policy controls how and when a screen saver activates on macOS devices, whether a password is required to unlock the screen, and which screen saver module is displayed.
It applies to macOS 10.11 and later.
⚙️ Settings and Options
1. Require Password to Unlock Screen
Description: Enforces password authentication when the screen saver is stopped or the system is unlocked.
Options:
True– Users must enter their password to unlock.False– Screen can be unlocked without a password.
Requirement: macOS 10.13+
2. Require Password Delay
Description: Sets a delay (in seconds) before the password requirement activates after the screen saver starts.
Example:
0– Require password immediately.300– Require password after 5 minutes.
3. Screensaver Path
Description: The full POSIX file path to the
.saverbundle used as the screen saver.Default macOS locations:
/System/Library/Screen Savers/(built-in)/Library/Screen Savers/(custom company-wide modules)
Sample Values:
Example | Description |
| Built-in macOS "Flurry" screen saver |
| Built-in "Message" screen saver |
| Custom Aerial screen saver deployed via MDM |
4. Login Window Screensaver Idle Time
Description: The duration (in seconds) of inactivity at the login window before the screen saver starts.
Example:
600= 10 minutes0= Never activates
5. Screensaver Idle Time
Description: Duration (in seconds) of inactivity before the screen saver starts for logged-in users.
Example:
900= 15 minutes300= 5 minutes
6. Screensaver Module Name
Description: The display name of the screen saver module (without the
.saverextension).Requirement: Must match the module name defined in the
.saverbundle.If not specified: macOS defaults to the Flurry module.
Sample Values:
Example | Description |
| Built-in macOS module |
| Displays a custom message |
| Uses the popular Aerial video screen saver |
🧩 Example Configuration
Setting | Sample Value |
Require Password to Unlock | True |
Require Password Delay | 0 |
Screensaver Path |
|
Login Window Screensaver Idle Time | 600 |
Screensaver Idle Time | 900 |
Screensaver Module Name |
|
This configuration enforces the Flurry screen saver after 15 minutes of inactivity and requires a password immediately upon wake.
✅ Best Practices
Use built-in screen savers (e.g., Flurry, Message) to ensure compatibility with all macOS versions.
For custom screen savers (like Aerial), deploy the
.saverbundle to/Library/Screen Savers/before applying this policy.Set the Require Password option to
Trueto comply with most security frameworks (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001).
Last updated: November 2025
Applies to: macOS 10.11+