To change screensaver on Android, open your phone's Settings app and look for the Screen saver option, which is typically found under Display settings but varies by manufacturer. This setting controls the screen saver shown while your phone is charging or docked, not your lock screen wallpaper, and the exact path differs between brands like Pixel and Motorola.
How to change screensaver on Android: Pixel phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Display & touch.
- Tap Screen saver.
- Turn on Use screen saver.
- Under Choose a screen saver, tap the option you want (such as a clock, colors, or a photo set).
- Set When to show to While charging or While upright and charging.
- Optionally, enable Low light mode for a dimmer display.
- Tap Use screen saver to preview it.
How to change screensaver on Android: Motorola phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Display.
- Tap Screen saver.
- Turn on Use screen saver.
- Under Choose a screen saver, tap the option you want.
- Set When to start to While docked, While charging, or Either. Motorola documents starting the screen saver while docked, charging, or either, and says the screen saver automatically starts when the phone is connected to a dock or charger and the screen turns off.
- If the chosen screen saver supports it, tap Customize to adjust its appearance.
- Tap Preview to see it in action.
What to do if your phone isn't a Pixel or Motorola
If you have a different Android phone, open Settings and look for a Screen saver option inside the Display menu. If you cannot find a Screen saver menu, your phone model or manufacturer may not support this feature. In that case, changing wallpapers and themes is the alternative way to personalize your idle screen. For Android TV, Google documents a different screen saver setup in the Google Home app or on the TV itself, but that is for TVs, not phones.
How to get more screen savers from the Play Store
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Search for "screen saver" or similar terms to find third‑party apps.
- Install the app you like.
- Open your phone's Settings, go to Display (or Display & touch on Pixel), and tap Screen saver.
- The newly installed app should appear in the list of available screen savers. Tap it to select it.
If the app does not appear, open the screen saver settings again after installation to select it there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use animated screensavers on Android?
Yes, you can use animated screensavers by installing a third‑party app from the Play Store that provides animated or live options. After installation, select that app in Settings > Display > Screen saver.
Can I change the screensaver timeout?
Android does not have a separate timeout for the screen saver itself. The screen saver begins when the phone is charging or docked and the screen turns off, based on your device's sleep timeout setting.
How do I uninstall a screensaver app?
Go to Settings > Apps (or Applications), find the screensaver app in the list, tap it, and select Uninstall. Confirm when prompted.
Can I set a single custom photo as my screensaver?
On Pixel and Motorola phones, the official screen saver settings do not support using a single custom image directly. Instead, you can use a third‑party screen saver app from the Play Store that allows custom images, or use the built‑in photo set option if available. To change wallpaper on Android, you would use the Wallpaper settings, not the Screen saver menu.
What if my phone doesn't have a Screen saver menu?
If you cannot find a Screen saver option in Display settings, your phone model or manufacturer likely does not support this feature. You can still personalize your device by changing wallpapers and themes.
