Yes, you can make a video your wallpaper on desktop and phone, using built-in tools or a lightweight app suited to your device.
Want motion on your screen without lag or weird crops? This guide shows clear steps for Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and popular launchers. You’ll also learn file prep and tips that keep things smooth.
How To Make Video Your Wallpaper — Step-By-Step
Below you’ll find quick paths for each platform. Scan the table, pick your device, then jump to the section with detailed steps and pro tips.
| Platform | Native Option | Best App Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | No direct video wallpaper yet | Lively Wallpaper (free) or Wallpaper Engine |
| Windows 10 | No direct video wallpaper | Lively Wallpaper or Wallpaper Engine |
| macOS (Sonoma+) | Video screen savers only | Aerial or third-party wallpaper tools |
| iPhone (iOS 17+) | Live Photo on Lock Screen | Convert clip to Live Photo |
| Android (general) | Set video as live wallpaper | Gallery/Photos or a live wallpaper app |
| Samsung Galaxy | Set video on Lock/Home | Built-in editor in Gallery |
| Google Pixel | Live wallpaper support | Pixel’s Wallpapers & style |
Prep Your Video For A Clean Look
A few tweaks prevent stutter and black bars. Keep the file in your screen’s aspect ratio, trim dead air, and cap the frame rate. Here’s a quick checklist that works well across devices.
Simple File Rules
- Format: MP4/H.264 is widely supported and light on resources.
- Resolution: Match your display. For 1080p monitors, export 1920×1080; for 1440p, export 2560×1440; for 4K, export 3840×2160.
- Frame rate: 24–30 fps is smooth enough while saving battery.
- Looping: Cut on action so the loop feels natural. Fade out a frame if needed.
- Length: 10–30 seconds keeps CPU and thermals in check.
- Orientation: Portrait for phones, landscape for desktops.
Make Video Your Wallpaper On Windows And Mac
Windows 11 And Windows 10 With Lively Wallpaper (Free)
- Install Lively Wallpaper from the Microsoft Store. Launch it.
- Click Add Wallpaper > choose your MP4 or drag it in.
- Pick Fit so the clip fills the screen. Toggle audio off unless you want sound.
- Open Performance > set Pause when full-screen app runs to save resources during games.
- Right-click the tray icon to switch, pause, or set startup behavior.
Wallpaper Engine on Steam gives deeper control, workshop packs, and playlists. Load your MP4, choose a playback rate, and bind a quick pause hotkey. It’s paid and adds scene effects.
macOS Sonoma: Video As Screen Saver, Plus Workarounds
macOS plays stunning video screen savers. For a desktop that moves, you can use a third-party tool that pins the saver behind your windows. Keep it light: short loops in MP4 run well on laptops. If you want the Apple TV style scenes, the open source Aerial saver is a classy pick.
Set A Video Wallpaper On iPhone
On iOS 17 and later, you can set a Live Photo on the Lock Screen. Convert your clip to a Live Photo with a trusted app, then apply it. When you wake the phone, the motion plays.
- Open Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper > Live Photo.
- Pick your Live Photo, crop if needed, and tap Add.
- Set it to the Lock Screen. The Home screen stays still unless you choose another style.
Apple explains the steps and limits here: Live Photo wallpaper on iPhone. Motion triggers when the screen wakes. Low Power Mode can mute effects.
Set A Video Wallpaper On Android
Most Android phones can set a video as a live wallpaper from the Gallery or Photos app. Pick a clip, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Set as wallpaper. Trim, mute, and select Lock screen, Home screen, or both.
Samsung Galaxy (One UI)
- Open Gallery > pick your clip.
- Tap More (three dots) > Set as wallpaper.
- Choose Lock screen or Home and Lock; trim and tap Done.
Samsung documents the built-in steps: photos or videos as wallpaper. Battery draw is modest with short clips and a capped frame rate.
Google Pixel
Open Settings > Wallpaper & style > Change wallpaper. Pick Live wallpapers or install a video wallpaper app from Play. Some launchers add extra effects and gesture hooks.
Battery, Heat, And Performance Tips
- Pause during games: In Lively or Wallpaper Engine, enable pause on full-screen.
- Short loops win: 10–15 seconds loops cost less than minute-long edits.
- Lower fps on laptops: Dropping to 24–25 fps saves power with little change in feel.
- Mute sound: Audio keeps the media pipeline awake. Silence it for longer runtimes.
- Use dark clips on OLED: Phone screens sip less power with darker scenes.
Troubleshooting Video Wallpapers
| Issue | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Video crops or stretches | Aspect ratio mismatch | Export in your display’s ratio; set Fit/Fill in the app |
| Lag or stutter | High bitrate or fps | Re-export at 8–12 Mbps, 24–30 fps |
| Laptop fan spins | Heavy 4K encode on iGPU | Use 1080p or HEVC with hardware decode |
| iPhone motion doesn’t play | Low Power Mode | Turn it off; use a Live Photo |
| Android wallpaper won’t set | App lacks permission | Grant Set wallpaper and Storage access |
| macOS shows only saver | No native video on desktop | Use a saver-to-desktop tool |
| Audio keeps playing | Sound track left on | Mute in the wallpaper app |
Safe App Picks And When To Go Native
On Windows, Lively Wallpaper is free, open source, and snappy. Wallpaper Engine brings playlists and deep tweaks if you want fine control. On macOS, the Aerial saver looks crisp and light; pair it with a saver-to-desktop helper if you want motion behind windows. On phones, the built-in Gallery or Photos tools are simple and privacy-friendly.
Keep It Tasteful And Useful
Video walls shine when they add calm motion, not noise. Pick loops with gentle camera moves, drifting clouds, waves, or a subtle time-lapse. Keep text out of frame and avoid harsh flashes that can distract during work calls or gaming sessions. If you share a workspace, keep content PG and office-safe. Pick clips you love.
Make It Yours Without Slowing Things Down
Set quick toggles so you can pause motion during heavy tasks. On Windows, bind a hotkey in your wallpaper app. On Android, add a quick settings tile from the app if available. On iPhone, build a Focus mode that switches to a still image during long reading or travel.
Will Video Wallpapers Hurt Battery Or Performance?
Short answer: a little, and only while the screen is awake. Small loops at 24–30 fps sip power. Pausing during games or long meetings keeps fans quiet.
Use Cases That Work Beautifully
- Calm focus: Soft gradients, star fields, or gentle rain.
- Showcase: A reel of your travel shots trimmed to 15 seconds each.
- Streamer setup: Brand loop behind a transparent dock.
- Study timer: A looping progress ring that resets each pomodoro.
Step-By-Step: Wallpaper Engine Setup
- Buy and install Wallpaper Engine from Steam. Launch it.
- Click Open From File and select your MP4. Name it clearly.
- Set Playback to Auto, and Performance to Pause when another app is full screen.
- Open Display Settings and choose how the clip scales on multi-monitor layouts.
- Create a playlist if you want the wallpaper to change through the day.
- Bind a hotkey for quick pause. It’s handy during screen shares.
Convert A Video To A Live Photo On iPhone
If your clip is a standard MP4, turn it into a Live Photo first, then set it on the Lock Screen. Many editors can do this in one tap. Keep the clip short for smoother wake animations.
- Open your converter app and load the clip.
- Trim to 10–15 seconds and pick a loop point.
- Export as a Live Photo and save to the Photos library.
- Apply it from Settings > Wallpaper as shown above.
Pick A Video Wallpaper App On Android
The Play Store has many choices. Look for clear privacy terms, no trackers, and active updates. Good apps let you trim, mute, set loop mode, and switch between Lock and Home without ads popping over system screens.
- Open the Play Store and search for “video wallpaper”.
- Pick an app with recent updates and simple permissions.
- Grant access to media only. Avoid apps that ask for contacts or location.
- Set the clip, choose Lock, Home, or both, then test wake and sleep.
Rights, Safety, And Good Taste
Use clips you shot or media cleared for reuse. Respect watermark rules and creator licenses. Flashing scenes can bother coworkers and can trigger issues for sensitive viewers. If a loop includes faces, get consent before sharing a screen. Keep content age-appropriate for the place where you work or study.
The Exact Phrase In Action
Many readers search “how to make video your wallpaper” and want one page that simply works. Now you have clear steps, links to trusted help pages, and settings that save power. Use the same phrase in your notes so you can find this guide later.
Recap Before You Set Yours
- Prep the file: MP4, right aspect ratio, 24–30 fps, 10–30 seconds.
- Pick the path: native tools on phones; Lively or Wallpaper Engine on Windows; saver helpers on macOS.
- Keep control: add a pause shortcut and mute audio.
- Protect battery: short loops, darker scenes on OLED, and pause during games.
That’s all you need to make screens feel personal without slowing them down. When friends ask, share this guide so they can learn how to make video your wallpaper without trial and error.