Wallpapers on your Mac don’t have to look the same all day. If you’re running any software from macOS Mojave onwards, you can set dynamic wallpapers that automatically adapt to the time or your system theme.
Apple includes around 21 dynamic wallpapers as a default, but most of these are graphics and only some are actual photos. You’ll probably soon find yourself wishing for more options.
Here are the best places to find new dynamic wallpapers for macOS, plus how to create one from your own pictures.
How to Set a Dynamic Wallpaper on macOS
There are two ways you can configure a third-party dynamic wallpaper on macOS. It’s pretty similar to setting up a normal desktop background inside macOS, which there are plenty of tips and tricks for.
The easiest and most familiar way is to head into System Preferences > Desktop & Screensaver. Once inside this screen, click the plus button at the bottom, and select the dynamic wallpaper you wish to add.
Alternatively, you can right-click on any HEIC file (use Get Info to check an image), and click the Set Desktop Wallpaper option. This is just as you would normally for any other static background.
How to Create Your Own Dynamic Wallpaper
Developing a personal dynamic wallpaper is straightforward–all you need is a couple of pictures.
Typically, dynamic wallpapers show the same image at night and day. But your dynamic wallpaper doesn’t need to. You can employ the dynamic wallpapers feature to change to an entirely different photo if you wish. The idea behind dynamic wallpapers is to let you customize your Mac even further.
1. Take Your Own HEIC Image
Conveniently, iPhones can actually take photos in the HEIC file format. You might have even seen this format when transferring photos to your computer.
To take HEIC photos on your iPhone, make sure that Live Photos are enabled. To do so, make sure that you tap the round button in the top-right corner of the Camera app before taking a photo.
The photo you take will be saved as a short video clip. If something’s moving in front of your camera, for example, you’ll see it play out. You can then set this HEIC image as a dynamic wallpaper.
2. Dynamic Wallpaper Club
Once you’ve collected some pictures for your wallpaper, head over to the Dynamic Wallpaper Club web app. Click the Create button at the top and register for a new account. On the next page, you will see the dynamic wallpaper creator tool. Here, drag and drop your images on the right section.
Dynamic wallpapers can update based on either the time of day or the sun’s position at your location. For the latter, your shots must have valid EXIF data. In case they don’t, you can manually link them to the Light and Dark themes by making use of the available buttons.
When you choose to change your wallpaper based on the time, you have to specify the exact time when a particular picture should come to life. After you finalize this, Dynamic Wallpaper Club uploads your dynamic wallpapers to its public library. If you want to opt out of this, uncheck the Public Wallpaper box.
Under the Preview section, you should be able to see what the outcome looks like. Hit Create when you’re done with the settings. Dynamic Wallpaper Club will append the new file to your account’s My Wallpapers section. There, select the wallpaper you want to save and click the Download button.
3. Dynaper
There’s also a Mac app you can install for transforming your personal pictures to support the dynamic feature. It’s called Dynaper, and comes with a drag-and-drop interface that lets you quickly produce dynamic wallpapers. You simply have to import a set of photos and in no time, the dynamic wallpaper will be ready.
Like Dynamic Wallpaper Club, Dynaper also lets you specifically adjust the timings. The app even suggests times for you by reading the files’ metadata. However, if you prefer, you can also view the metadata manually.
On top of this, Dynaper has a function titled Solar Wizard which can detect the sun’s coordinates in your area and set the periods accordingly. Dynaper is free to download but to get rid of the watermark, you must upgrade to the premium plan.
Download: Dynaper for Mac (Free, premium version available)
Where to Find New Dynamic Wallpapers for macOS
Don’t feel like creating your own wallpapers? Try these resources to find great ready-made dynamic wallpapers for your Mac.
1. Dynamic Wallpaper Club
In addition to the custom dynamic wallpaper utility, Dynamic Wallpaper Club features a vast library of dynamic wallpapers you can download for free. The site’s collection relies primarily on its community for wallpapers. Because of this, you will discover a new one almost every day.
When you land on the website’s homepage, head into the Gallery tab to browse its existing set of backdrops. Dynamic Wallpaper Club even hosts 5K-resolution dynamic wallpapers that don’t cost anything.
2. 24 Hour Wallpaper
24 Hour Wallpaper is a Mac app that brings you 58 exclusive dynamic wallpapers. Each sequence consists of over 30 images covering the entire 24-hour length of a day.
The app’s catalog includes locations such as New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Mojave Preserve, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, High Sierra, and more. Instead of stock images or gradients, 24 Hour Wallpaper houses professionally captured shots.
In addition, the developers boast that half of the wallpapers are from a single vantage point, which lets you truly experience the place’s ambiance. Similar to Dynamic Wallpaper Club, 24 Hour Wallpaper can synchronize to both the local time and the sun’s positions.
The app supports multiple monitors, too. You can even customize some wallpapers’ durations and switch to a different location.
Since 24 Hour Wallpaper hires professionals for wallpapers, it’s not a free service. However, you can check a few of them out for free, as the developers have made four of the wallpapers available on the web. Head over to the 24 Hour Wallpaper website to give them a look before purchasing the app.
Download: 24 Hour Wallpaper for Mac ($7)
3. Dynwalls
Dynwalls offers a handful of dynamic wallpapers. Most of them are space-themed, designed using NASA resources.
For instance, there’s one that follows the trajectory of the International Space Station. Another is composed of real and mesmerizing Earth photos by the Himawari-8 satellite that show the planet’s rotation throughout a day.
Apart from the planetary backdrops, Dynwalls houses two cityscape wallpapers at the time of writing. Dynamic wallpapers on Dynwalls are free to download. But for a few dollars, you can become a patron and earn early access to the latest wallpapers.
If you like space backdrops, consider taking a look at some dark wallpaper sites that are perfect for your desktop.
More Ways to Personalize Your Mac Desktop
You’ll never be bored with your Mac’s wallpaper thanks to these online tools and apps. And you can easily create a dynamic wallpaper yourself when you’ve tried all the pre-existing options online and on your Mac.
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