When I step away from my computer, I want to turn the screensaver on. Any suggestions for how I could do that?
15 Answers
If you don't want to use Expose, there's another option:
On Sierra or lower, the screensaver is actually an application located at:
/System/Library/Frameworks/On High Sierra it is located at:
/System/Library/CoreServices/You can just make an alias/shortcut to this app, drag the shortcut into your dock or wherever you want it and when you want the screensaver you can just launch the app.
1Settings -> Expose and Spaces -> Expose -> Acive Screen Corners -> Pick one of the corners and choose Start Screen Saver.
I chose top left and set a password for my mac so whenever someone is around and I need to step away I simply slide my mouse to the top left and bam..screensaver innocently starts hehe :D
4You can also make an app in Automator.
- Open a new workflow. Choose "Application"
- Browse to "Utilities" in the "Actions" pane
- Drag the "Start Screen Saver" action to the workflow window on the right
- Choose "Save As", name it "start screensaver", file format is "Application"
- Save it in your applications folder
The bonus to this is that you can launch it via Spotlight just by using the spotlight shortcut and typing "scree" for it to appear
2You could consider combining ideas. Have a very short delay before your screen saver starts up (<5 mins) Use the 'hot corner' mentioned earlier. And for extra geeky fun - you can have your mac watch for a bluetooth signal (from your phone in your pocket) and when it goes out of range - start up your screensaver.
These links explain in more detail:
But then you have to make sure you keep your phone in your pocket and not sitting on the table next to your mac! :)
I use LockTight at work which is kind of like "windowskey + L" for Macs' :-)
