Which macOS versions are supported by AerialMotion?

AerialMotion supports macOS Sonoma (14.0+) and macOS Sequoia (15.0+), running natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel-based Macs. It takes direct advantage of Apple's modern dynamic Aerial screensaver architecture.

Does AerialMotion drain MacBook battery or increase CPU usage?

No. Unlike traditional live wallpaper apps that run continuous decoding loops in the background, AerialMotion uses Apple's native hardware remuxing to convert videos directly into the macOS WallpaperAgent container. It consumes ~0% idle CPU and automatically pauses when on battery or in Low Power Mode.

How does AerialMotion synchronize the lock screen and desktop wallpaper?

AerialMotion integrates directly with macOS WallpaperAgent's hierarchical aerial format, creating a synchronized dual-layer package. This ensures your custom video plays identically when your Mac is locked, asleep, or unlocked without stutter or glitching.

Does AerialMotion support multiple monitors and external displays?

Yes. AerialMotion supports multi-display setups on macOS Sonoma and Sequoia, including Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, and third-party ultrawide monitors, allowing synchronized playback across connected screens.

How is AerialMotion different from Wallpaper Engine or Aerial screensaver?

Traditional apps like Wallpaper Engine run as separate third-party background applications that consume 15%-35% CPU and cannot touch the macOS lock screen. AerialMotion is native, lightweight (~0% CPU), free and open-source (MIT), and integrates directly into the macOS system aerial layer.

Why does macOS show a security prompt or Gatekeeper notice on first launch?

AerialMotion is independent open-source software distributed directly on GitHub outside the Mac App Store. On first launch on macOS Sonoma or Sequoia, open Terminal and run 'xattr -cr /Applications/AerialMotion.app' (or click Open Anyway in System Settings → Privacy & Security).

Does video playback pause when gaming or running full-screen apps?

Yes. Built-in window occlusion detection automatically halts wallpaper rendering whenever full-screen applications, video games, or maximized windows cover the desktop, ensuring maximum performance for your active tasks.

Can I revert back to official Apple wallpapers?

Yes, AerialMotion is 100% reversible. Simply click 'Restore Apple Defaults' in the menu bar settings or choose any standard Apple wallpaper in macOS System Settings. No system files are permanently modified.

How do I completely uninstall AerialMotion?

Because AerialMotion runs without persistent daemon agents or hidden root background processes, you can simply quit the app and drag AerialMotion.app from Applications to the Trash.

macOS Sonoma (14+) & Sequoia (15+) Native • Zero Background Daemons

Turn any video into your native
macOS Aerial wallpaper.

Set custom .mp4 and .mov files as your desktop and lock screen wallpaper. Fluid native Apple media engine transitions with ~0% idle CPU and zero continuous battery drain.

Download for macOS (.dmg) View Source on GitHub

macOS Sonoma & Sequoia Native • ⚡ ~0% Idle CPU Overhead • 🛡️ Free & Open Source (MIT) • 🔋 Wallspace Battery Saver

AerialMotion File Edit View Window Help

🔋 100% 📶 Tue 9:41 AM

🌐

💬

📁

⚙️

~0.0%

Idle CPU Consumption

Hardware-remuxed with Apple media engines. No CPU transcoding loops.

0 MB

Background Daemons

Feeds directly into native macOS WallpaperAgent. Closes completely when idle.

4K 60fps

Fluid HDR Playback

Lossless HEVC and ProRes dynamic playback with zero dropped frames.

1-Click

Instant Reversible Rollback

Restore Apple's official system aerials at any time with a single tap.

Architecture & Features

Engineered natively for Apple Silicon.
Zero compromises.

Traditional live wallpaper apps run continuous video players on top of your desktop, causing fan noise, high memory pressure, and broken lock screens. AerialMotion solves this at the system level.

Lock Screen Synchronized

Your video loops smoothly on your desktop AND lock screen. When waking, sleeping, or unlocking, macOS transitions seamlessly without glitching.

Wallspace Battery Guard

Intelligently throttles and pauses when your MacBook is on battery, in Low Power Mode, or when full-screen apps hide your desktop.

Native Hardware Remuxing

Utilizes Apple Media Engine hardware decoders to convert standard MP4/MOV videos into macOS-native aerial containers in seconds.

Native Centered Settings

Settings window opens cleanly in the center of your screen with dedicated macOS AppKit controls that never accidentally collapse.

1-Click GitHub Auto-Updates

Stay current automatically. AerialMotion integrates with GitHub Releases to notify you and upgrade with zero hassle.

100% Reversible & Safe

Never overwrites protected system files. Revert to Apple’s standard dynamic aerials anytime with a single click in the menu bar.

Benchmark Comparison

How AerialMotion compares.

See the architectural difference between native macOS integration versus traditional third-party live wallpaper players.

Feature / Capability	AerialMotion (Native)	Traditional Mac Wallpaper Apps
Lock Screen Synchronized Playback Seamless loop continues when Mac locks or wakes	✓ Full Native Lock Screen Sync	✕ Desktop only (Cannot touch Lock Screen)
Idle CPU & Resource Usage Impact on processor while sitting on desktop	✓ ~0.0% Idle CPU (Zero transcoding)	✕ 15% – 35% continuous CPU load
Battery Saver & Window Occlusion Pauses when occluded or running on battery	✓ Pauses on battery & low power	✕ Keeps rendering in background
Mission Control & Spaces Transitions across multiple desktop spaces	✓ Native Apple Space transitions	✕ Window stutter & overlay flickers
Pricing & License Open-source transparency vs proprietary subscriptions	✓ 100% Free & Open Source (MIT)	✕ Paid commercial subscriptions

Curated 4K Loops

Stunning verified aerial loops.

Browse calm, cinematic loops tested for smooth 60fps playback and native lock screen synchronization.

4K Loop

🌧️ Cozy Rain Cabin

4K Loop

🌲 Alpine Meadow

4K Loop

🌌 Cosmic Orbital

4K Loop

✨ Deep Nebula

Instant Setup

Up and running in 30 seconds.

AerialMotion is completely standalone and requires zero root privileges or dangerous terminal modifications.

Verified Open Source • Free on GitHub

Download & Move to Applications

Download AerialMotion.dmg from GitHub Releases, open the DMG, and drag AerialMotion into your Applications folder.

Download Latest DMG (v1.2.1)

First Launch in Terminal

AerialMotion is an independent open-source project distributed directly on GitHub outside the Mac App Store. macOS Gatekeeper requires a quick one-time command on first download. Open Terminal and run:

xattr -cr /Applications/AerialMotion.app

💡 Alternatively, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

Answers to common questions about setting custom live wallpapers on macOS Sonoma and Sequoia, performance, battery life, and formats.

AerialMotion requires macOS Sonoma (14.0+) or macOS Sequoia (15.0+), running natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel-based Macs. These macOS releases introduced Apple's modern dynamic Aerial screensaver architecture that AerialMotion integrates into.

No! Traditional live wallpaper apps decode video in continuous software loops that consume 15%–35% CPU. AerialMotion uses Apple's native hardware media engine to remux your video directly into the native WallpaperAgent container. It consumes ~0% idle CPU and automatically pauses playback when your MacBook is on battery or in Low Power Mode.

AerialMotion supports standard .mp4 and .mov video files across 1080p, 4K, and 8K resolutions at up to 60fps and 120fps (ProMotion). It natively processes HEVC (H.265), H.264, and Apple ProRes codecs without generational compression loss.

AerialMotion hooks directly into macOS WallpaperAgent's hierarchical aerial container format, generating a unified dual-layer package. When you lock, sleep, or wake your Mac, macOS smoothly transitions the video from screensaver to static lock and live desktop motion without glitching or restarts.

Yes! Multi-display configurations on macOS Sonoma and Sequoia are fully supported, including Apple Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, and third-party ultrawide monitors. Playback remains synchronized across all active displays.

Traditional wallpaper tools run heavy background player daemons that cannot modify or sync the macOS lock screen. The famous Aerial screensaver only activates when your Mac goes idle as a screensaver. AerialMotion is the only lightweight, open-source tool designed to set custom videos as the active live desktop AND lock screen wallpaper simultaneously with zero extra daemons.

AerialMotion is an independent open-source project distributed directly on GitHub outside the Mac App Store. Because it is distributed independently, macOS Gatekeeper flags the initial download with a standard security prompt. To open AerialMotion on macOS Sonoma or Sequoia, simply open your Terminal app and run xattr -cr /Applications/AerialMotion.app (or open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway).

Yes. AerialMotion respects macOS window occlusion notifications. Whenever a game, video player, or productivity app runs full-screen or completely occludes the desktop, rendering cycles pause immediately so 100% of GPU and CPU power is dedicated to your active task.

Yes! AerialMotion is 100% non-destructive and reversible. Select "Restore Apple Defaults" from the menu bar settings at any time, or pick any standard wallpaper in macOS System Settings.

Because AerialMotion installs no root daemons, kernel extensions, or hidden LaunchAgents, uninstalling is completely clean: simply quit AerialMotion from the menu bar and drag AerialMotion.app from your Applications folder to the Trash.

Turn any video into your native macOS Aerial wallpaper.

Engineered natively for Apple Silicon. Zero compromises.

Lock Screen Synchronized

Wallspace Battery Guard

Native Hardware Remuxing

Native Centered Settings

1-Click GitHub Auto-Updates

100% Reversible & Safe

How AerialMotion compares.

Stunning verified aerial loops.

Up and running in 30 seconds.

Download & Move to Applications

First Launch in Terminal

Everything you need to know.

Transform your Mac desktop today.

Turn any video into your native
macOS Aerial wallpaper.

Engineered natively for Apple Silicon.
Zero compromises.