# How to Configure Screensaver for macOS devices

Screensavers serve the users with either a blank screen or a moving pattern or even pictures when the device has been idle for a long time. Apart from this, they are used to provide a basic security layer by requested a password to re-access the device. With Hexnode, the admins can remotely setup Screensaver settings for Macs.

Configure Screensaver for macOS devices
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To configure Screensaver settings on your Mac via Hexnode,

1. Log in to your **Hexnode MDM** console.
2. Go to **Policies > New Policy**. Assign a suitable name and description (optional) for the policy. You can also choose to continue with an existing policy.
3. Navigate to **macOS > Configurations**, choose **Screensaver**. Click **Configure**.

[![configure screensaver for macOS devices using Hexnode MDM](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/configure-screensaver-for-macOS-devices-using-Hexnode-MDM.png)](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/configure-screensaver-for-macOS-devices-using-Hexnode-MDM.png)SettingsDescriptionEnable ScreensaverEnable this option to activate screensaver on your Mac.Enabled by defaultThe below settings work only if **Enable Screensaver** is checked.

Login window screensaver idle timeSpecify in number of seconds, the duration of inactivity at the login window before the screensaver activates. You can choose the values from 5 sec, 30 sec, 1 min to 5 mins. Default value is 30sec.Screensaver idle timeSpecify the duration of inactivity in seconds after which the screensaver can become active. You can choose the values from **1 min, 2mins, 5 mins, 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins**, or **1 hour**. Default value is **1 min**.Require password to unlock the screen
(Supported on macOS 10.13+)Enabling this option prompts the user to enter a password for the device to wake from screensaver/sleep mode.Enabled by defaultSet delay for password prompt
(Supported on macOS 10.13+)Choose the time of inactivity before the password prompt appears to unlock the screen. You can choose the values from 5 sec, 30 sec, 1 min to 5 mins. Default value is 30sec. Notes:- If **Auto-Lock** is configured in the policy, then the **Screensaver** will get automatically enabled on the device even if it has not been configured via Hexnode portal.
- If both **Screensaver** and **Auto-Lock** are configured, then the most restrictive setting (lesser time) will get reflected on the device.

 

Once the settings are configured, associate the policy with target devices.

Associating Policies with Mac Devices
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If the policy has not been saved.

1. Go to **Policy Targets > +Add Devices**.
2. Choose the target devices and click **Ok**.
3. Click **Save**.

You can also choose to associate the policy with device groups, users, user groups, or domains from the left pane of Policy Targets tab.

If the policy is saved,

1. Choose the desired policy from the **Policies** tab.
2. Click on **Manage** drop-down, select **Associate Targets**.
3. Choose the target devices, device groups, users, user groups or domains and click **Associate**.

What happens at the device end? 
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Once the policy is associated, screensaver will be enabled on the target devices and users will not be able to modify the Screen Saver timer settings under **System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver**. The settings as configured in the policy will be enforced.