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I have an iMac with a large format display set up as a secondary monitor that we use as a television for watching movies. When I am just using the iMac, I would like for the secondary display to display something interesting rather than just the wallpaper.

Is it possible to set up a screensaver that appears on the second monitor (I really like the iPhoto slideshow) while allowing me to use the primary iMac monitor?

I would even be happy if it wasn't technically a screen saver, but just any sort of slideshow that could be displayed on one monitor while I work on the other. Currently if I play a slideshow in iPhoto, the other monitor goes blank. :(

Cory Klein
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6 Answers6

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You can set your screensaver to be your desktop background (link to source).

To do so, run this in the Terminal:

/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine -background

This works on both monitors (tested just now in Lion), so as long as you don't put any windows on the other monitor, it'll just show the screensaver. (Unfortunately, the screensaver will also be behind all of your windows on the screen you're using. I hope you really like your screensaver.)

Cajunluke
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    What would the equivalent be in Mojave? – Denis Howe Aug 05 '19 at 16:34
  • ScreenSaverEngine.app is missing now days – Jleagle Aug 12 '20 at 09:07
  • Moved to /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine According to https://cocoadev.github.io/ScreenSaverEngine, the -background flag broke in High Sierra, and is still the case in Monterey. – theeddieh Oct 26 '22 at 23:15
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The easiest solution is the widget Wallify. It is free, with a "Pro" version available, but the free version basically does the same thing that CajunLuke suggested, but without having to use the Terminal.

You can select most of your screen savers directly from the menu on the widget, but specific photo slide-show style screensavers don't appear as an option. To use these kinds of screensavers, you can choose them using the System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver, then on Wallify just select "Default", and it will use whatever you chose in System Preferences.

Cory Klein
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You may want to try RandomExtra.screensaver This screensaver allows you to select a specific screensaver for multiple monitors. Following the very simple install notes, you can have this screensaver installed in seconds. Once installed open your System Preferences and go into your "Desktop & Screen Saver" pane. Find the newly installed "RandomExtra" Screen Saver and click on options. Once inside the Screen Saver options choose the "Extra" tab and you will find some options for what you may be wanting to do.

daviesgeek
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E1Suave
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I found another thread that discusses this same problem and which has some additional solutions:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screensaver-on-external-monitor-only.282371/

I hope this helps.

August
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  • Welcome to Ask Different! We try to refrain from posting link only answers, as they decrease readability and are susceptible to link rot. Could you please add any relevant info to the body of your post? – JMY1000 Dec 23 '17 at 06:34
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Maybe another solution is to use software that manages multiple monitors like UltraMon, Multimon, DisplayFusion.

user20114
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  • Welcome to Ask Different, user20114! Thanks for posting an answer! Can you please add more information and links to the products you mentioned? Please also explain why your solution solves the OP's question. Thank you! – daviesgeek Apr 25 '12 at 21:01
  • MultiMon was a Mac app, the others are/were Windows apps. – Matt Sephton Feb 03 '23 at 13:43
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I think I found a simpler solution. Go to Desktop and Screen saver in Settings and at the bottom of the window for the second screen pick a folder and checkmark "Change picture". For us the "every 5 seconds" works wonderfully with a great cross-fade. This is in 10.7. Hope this helps. Nick

user37997
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